This particular forum

[Bumper]

This particular forum was not meant to be a place for people to go nuts on conspiracy theories and hardcore survival in the case of nuclear war and such. It was meant more for survival in case of either a natural or man-made disaster, a depression (which seems more possible every day) and other similar kinds of SHTF times.

So, my question is, is anyone else feeling the need to stock up on food staples and other necessities? We are stocking up, as much as we can, on ammunition because I don't know what the future availability, or costs, will be. We live in a house that was custom built for a Mormon, which means we have a huge pantry with a freezer and lots of shelves. We have started stocking up on staple food items like rice, beans, flour, sugar, coffee, soup, etc. If I can find some reasonable, I may even buy a couple of cases of MREs. I'm also thinking we should fill up propane tanks, buy extra Coleman stove/lantern fuel, extra gasoline, extra batteries and similar supplies.

I don't know why, but I feel like I need to get prepared for something. No tinfoil, just thinking we have the potential for some really hard times ahead. My wife feels the same way and several others we have talked to are thinking the same thing. And, what's really odd is, none of them are sure why they are so compelled to "stock up".

Is this a "bad vibe" on the economy, the possibility of us getting Obama or have I finally stripped a gear?

[ppkheat]

Personally I've had a survival preparedness mind-set for a long time. When I was a kid we lived near Barksdale Air Force Base during the Cuban Missile Crisis, there was plenty of talk among the adults on evacuating, fallout shelters, food, survival, etc. It was scary as a kid, I remember putting together a paper bag of toys set aside in my closet to carry with me during an evacuation. I suppose the three things below affected me into an increased level of being prepared.

1. I remember thinking years ago, when our kids were small, about how I could care for them in a nationwide emergency, shortage or whatever.

2. WTC 911

3. Katrina. I live in Louisiana and though we weren't directly affected by the hurricane or flood, we were affected indirectly by the ripple affect.

If it's bad enough the stores will run out of inventory quickly, and it will be a BAD place to try and go at the last minute. I could imagine that stores, warehouses, etc could be "taken over" by mobs. During SHTF I don't want to be running the roads looking for supplies, it won't be productive and it won't be safe. I want to be able to hunker down immediately. I like the Mormon's system of storing enough food to take care of their families. I consider ourselves to be fortunate to live on a real farm in a rural area. Due to our business we already have plenty of fuel (gas, diesel, propane), two generators, six water wells, large pond that is stocked, livestock, etc.

My wife and I want to have our home a well-prepared BOL for the rest of our family. We have so many advantages and assets already in place that it was an easy decision to go ahead and enhance our plans to broaden our survival chances.

With the current election and economy I know that we've done the right thing. Though I'm not finished preparing I'm feeling good right now with what we've done.

[Paco]

I have thought about it and talked about it, but I always seem to let my ADD get the better of me.

I know Cheaper Than Dirt has some decent MRE prices, but I don't know how they compare. The Wife and I have discussed getting all of us BUGs and stocking them, making sure each kid has 1 stuffed animal to help calm their nerves if we bug out. Plus some emergency blankets, the silver ones, and a fire starter, military can opener (man I hate those things), and other stuff like that.

I think I'll start a shopping cart online today and place my order soon.

Anyone know any good sites to visit to buy stuff? I got one site form DC.com but forgot the URL and I stink at searching.

[SIXTO]

As much as I like the mental exercise of the SHTF stuff, I know that realistically I probably wont want to survive the "end times". With that said, I don't feel that I would have done my job as a father if I don't do everything I can to prepare for the likely scenarios of storms, tough economic times, a terrorist attack or a terrorist in the White House. It would be a horrible feeling knowing that some simple prep effort could have saved my family a lot of trouble, discomfort or even death.

[Bumper]

I have to admit to being behind the curve on this one. We keep a little extra food (big family) but the rest just I have not done. I'll remedy that as quickly as I can. Ideally we would have a setup like ppkheat; we've been wanting to move to a small property in the country for awhile now. If the housing market were good, we'd already be there. I don't like being in town and, specifically, this town.

I agree, SIXTO, in an "end times" scenario I just might sit out in the yard in a lawn chair and watch it happen. I am thinking more about the other "disasters" you mentioned, including a terrorist in the White House....

[raevan]

Many people never think emergency situations thourough enough.
People stock up on food, water, firarms, and ammo. But forget about what happens if they lose their Power. I have a wood stove, propane stove, oil lamps, flashlights, candles, over 30 emergency blankets, tarps, axes, chain saw, hand saws, and Empty containers in case I have to carry water if I run out. All the food and water won't do you any good if you can't cook it. Also It is best to plan on emergency shelters of various sorts. The correct tools can be a great boon.

[CopperKnight]

I'm with you guys. I can't put my finger on it, but the urge to put down extra stores is very strong right now. I have shelves in the basement that I hope to start stocking with staples with a long shelf life. A wood stove in the basement for cooking and heat and stores of everything except gas. Don't know how to stock up on that.

[Nelson Muntz]

All the things mentioned so far are great ideas for stocking up JIC. But...

Don't forget medical. You should make your own med kit, based mostly on items useful for your chronic conditions, when Rx's will no longer be available. In addition, don't forget plenty of antiseptics, antibiotic creams, dental numbing solutions, etc. It would be horrible to survive something awful only to die slowly and painfully by infection.

[Bumper]

All the things mentioned so far are great ideas for stocking up JIC. But...

Don't forget medical. You should make your own med kit, based mostly on items useful for your chronic conditions, when Rx's will no longer be available. In addition, don't forget plenty of antiseptics, antibiotic creams, dental numbing solutions, etc. It would be horrible to survive something awful only to die slowly and painfully by infection.

I have a pretty good medical kit, but probably needs some additional items added. If you want a really comprehensive, but somewhat expensive, medical kit, look at the ones designed for blue water cruisers (those cruising the world in boats). They have some of the most comprehensive medical kits available. They have to be because you are often thousands of miles from a doctor.

[Nelson Muntz]

Excellent thought on blue water kits. They must be quite comprehensive because of the circumstances you'll put yourself in. But you will be unlikely to need most of it and may end up chucking quite a bit if you need to be on the move and want to get lighter. Personalizing your kit will give you the most bang for the weight though. For example, if you suffer from arthritis you may want to keep a larger supply of pain relievers and anti inflammatories on hand. Maybe I'm thinking a little older an want to have on hand enough over the counter to be comfortable with chronics as long as possible. YMMV.

[raevan]

Speaking of medical. My adopted Granddaughter is a "traveler". She was sluming around Puerto Rico and contracted an infection on one of her feet. After spending a couple of weeks in one of the small hospitals there, she realized how clean and nice the Hospitals are here. In time of a major emergency there may be no hospitals nor medication available here. Depending on how long the emergency may last, even if you have your meds in the beginning, they may not last long enough. It would be a good thing for all to study alternative medical treatments.

I seldom go to doctors and hospitals. My family has used herbs and alternative methods for generations. We don't discount the new discoveries but have incorperated them into our ways. When hospitals and doctors are not available it is good to have alternate resources.

[Paco]

It would be a good thing for all to study alternative medical treatments.

I have often thought about that, they didn't have Advil "back in the day", but had the same pain. What if, as in the OP, we are in a SHTF scenario for more than the regular 30 to 60 day supply.

Where are some good places to check and get good info, and not some witch doctor/snake oil stuff you have to buy but actual and useful info?

[Nelson Muntz]

Raeven - our culture has made most of us soft. We expect comfort, cleanliness and immediate attention. Natural products to supplant or replace mass produced and controlled products need to be identified for each family situation. We need to go beyond being taken care of, to having personal responsibility. A mindset that the lazy, 'cared for' generations are not ready to embrace.

[raevan]

Go to one of the large book stores like Borders. The sport section in the Hiking and Hunting have good books on survival medicine. Go to the section on medicine and look for alternative medicine and also go to the section on Herbs. One of the books that is very good is called "The Herb Book" by John Lust. A warning abouit Herbasl Medicine, One should really study and learn what the efects are when herbs are combined. Almost all herb books now have warning messages in the beginning and also about different herbs. Heed the warnings. Some plants are good in small dosages but can be dangerous if not used properly. Now is a good time to start studdying all forms of self applied medicine, not when you need it.

One of the newer books to read is called "Prescription for Herbal Healing" by Phyllis A Balch, cnc.

Have fun researching and reading.

[Nelson Muntz]

Thanks Raevan. Those resources can help make a list and help identify what you are looking for in the wild. You should have a little grounding in alternative medicine. If you don't, who will? And as for herbs remember, until you are comfortable in that regard, you can stock natural in a concentrated form at your local GNC or equivalent.

[PointnClick]

Bumper sez...


I don't know why, but I feel like I need to get prepared for something. No tinfoil, just thinking we have the potential for some really hard times ahead. My wife feels the same way and several others we have talked to are thinking the same thing. And, what's really odd is, none of them are sure why they are so compelled to "stock up".

Is this a "bad vibe" on the economy, the possibility of us getting Obama or have I finally stripped a gear?

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I'd say your gears are in perfect working order. It started for me right around Katrina... living in Florida, I'm accustomed to hurricanes and always kept some food, batteries, and other essentials in the garage. But watching looters throw newspaper machines thru store windows and hearing about armed gangs roaming the 9th ward shook me up. Where was the local government, let alone the Federal government...???

But then to see cops in Kevlar sporting AR-15s wrestling a little old lady to the floor to take away her rusty 60 year old revolver...? Well, that REALLY made me think.

So yeah, I am more interested in preparedness these days. My biggest problem is that I am in the greater Tampa Bay metropolis. I got nowhere to bug out to. So I am looking into stockpiling food and supples, just in case things go bad around here.

America has been very lucky... we haven't seen widescale military violence on our soil for more than 140 years... There are few places on earth that can match that record. But that just makes me think we are overdue for a giant crap sandwich, and this being America, I think that sandwich will be Super-sized™.

There was another thread here on CS about war in our time and on our soil... funny you mention that. I was Googling for info on a rifle I bought, clicked on a link, and found myself at Stormfront dot org. In case you aren't familiar with it, it is the flagship website for Neo-Nazi's, Klansmen, skinheads, and other assorted white supremicists. I do not share their racist views, but they are CONVINCED the election of Obama, the collapsing economy, and unfettered immigration is the recipe for racial war in America... their motto is "your skin will be your uniform"... They believe that the north will be Caucasian, the southwest will be Hispanic, and the southeast will be black, and there will be continual border skirmishes where those lines meet.

Yeah, I know... these rednecks and douchebags may be living in their own little racist dreamworld... but they do take this seriously, and if nothing else, they are good at planning for it. You might want to go read a little over there... if you can get past their racist ranting, they have some excellent SHTF survival strategies.

Know what I am doing...? For the last few months, I have been thinking about SHTF scenarios and what skills, tools, and knowledge I possess that would help me get by in a Mad Max world, and my Boy Scouts merit badges aren't making the grade. So I have been "downloading civilization"... I have been collecting all sorts of info that would be useful in a temporary Katrina-like event, like water purification and basic first aid, all the way to TEOTWAWKI skills. In fact, when I come across a site that has a lot of good info, I am downloading the entire site and burning all this info to DVDs. I have two of those 100-count DVD spindles almost full with books, how-to movies, PDFs, and even entire websites with info on gardening, medicine, dentistry, military tactics, gunsmithing courses, firearms manuals, reloading info, military survival manuals, preserving food, brewing, wind generator info, complete GM and Ford mechanics instructional courses, sewing, tanning animal hides, computer repair, electronics, plumbing, construction, blacksmithing, science, chemistry, childbirth, veterinary info, the list goes on and on...

What's to stop some post-apocalyptic predator from just killing me and taking my archive...? Well, nothing really, but all the files are zipped and individually password protected. If you kill me, you'll never get in these files. But if you treat me and my family well, I have civilization in my bag... I have beer in my bag... I have AC in my bag... I have biodeisel in my bag... I have the recipe for aspirin and penicillin in my bag... I have instructions on how to do a C-section baby delivery with a K-Bar in my bag...

I doubt I'll ever be the Mayor of Bartertown... but I bet I will be a protected citizen...

[Nelson Muntz]

Know what I am doing...? For the last few months, I have been thinking about SHTF scenarios and what skills, tools, and knowledge I possess that would help me get by in a Mad Max world, and my Boy Scouts merit badges aren't making the grade. So I have been "downloading civilization"... I have been collecting all sorts of info that would be useful in a temporary Katrina-like event, like water purification and basic first aid, all the way to TEOTWAWKI skills. In fact, when I come across a site that has a lot of good info, I am downloading the entire site and burning all this info to DVDs. I have two of those 100-count DVD spindles almost full with books, how-to movies, PDFs, and even entire websites with info on gardening, medicine, dentistry, military tactics, gunsmithing courses, firearms manuals, reloading info, military survival manuals, preserving food, brewing, wind generator info, complete GM and Ford mechanics instructional courses, sewing, tanning animal hides, computer repair, electronics, plumbing, construction, blacksmithing, science, chemistry, childbirth, veterinary info, the list goes on and on...

What's to stop some post-apocalyptic predator from just killing me and taking my archive...? Well, nothing really, but all the files are zipped and individually password protected. If you kill me, you'll never get in these files. But if you treat me and my family well, I have civilization in my bag... I have beer in my bag... I have AC in my bag... I have biodeisel in my bag... I have the recipe for aspirin and penicillin in my bag... I have instructions on how to do a C-section baby delivery with a K-Bar in my bag...

I doubt I'll ever be the Mayor of Bartertown... but I bet I will be a protected citizen...

First of all, welcome to the clan.

Wish I had an extensive library like that. But, if it's TEOTWAWKI, where you getting the juice to read those DVD's? :ponder:

[PointnClick]

Well, I have a generator, but if I am outta gas or on the run, I can build a windmill tomorrow that will power my laptop with little more than a hacksaw, 12 feet of PVC, a bicycle wheel, an extension cord, and the alternator and battery out of a burnt Oldsmobile Delta 88...

[Nelson Muntz]

I like you MacGyver. You gotta teach me that!

[PointnClick]

Here ya go...



Click here (http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/index.html)

And here (http://www.instructables.com/id/V10_vawtsavoniusvertical_axiswindturbineamete/)

[Snakedriver]

Yup, since the election last November we're all stocked-up and ready to go with whatever is to come.

Guns.......Check
Ammo......Check
B.O.B.......Check
Maps......Check
Large bottle of Ibuprofen........Check
More guns and ammo.......Double Check

Sheeesh, I'm too old to go back to playing soldier!!! :pirate: Maybe I need two big bottles of Ibuprofen?:684: