Be prepared or what is a prepper and do you consider yourself ready?

[Oss]

When I was just a kid the boy scouts were a big thing. I was a cub scout but got caught playing with Brownies (hey it was her idea) and never got into a boy scout troop.  But we do have eagle scouts in the family

Anyway, the motto that sticks with me is be prepared

Now this could be as simple as checking air in the tires and gas before riding, keeping a first aid kit in the car  I keep trauma compresses as well in the bike if I see a biker went down and may bleed out I can help

It may be just making sure one's weapons are properly maintained or having proper clothing for riding
or a means to stay warm if the car gets stranded in a blizzard (been there)

But in view of the many ways that enemies of the USA can knock out banking systems, power distribution and food distribution doesn't be prepared extend beyond that?

If one believes that the federal government is NOT our daddy and savior then it becomes incumbent
upon each of us to be able to "float our family and ourselves" for an extended period of time

Those who live in rural america always knew this. I recall a conversation with a good friend from North Dakota in which he related they may get isolated for many weeks and are self sufficient accordingly

So as a question what do each of you do (answer in PM if you dont want it on the general board) or have in way of preparations

For myself, it is stocking a minimum of 60 days of provisions for my family and such other means of protection as may be needed.   How long can an incident disrupt food and electricity?

I am not suggesting that ONE SECOND AFTER will happen, but there are many things that could.

Hope NONE of those ever come to pass but I would rather throw out a hundred dollars worth of food every few years than have to face a family without because I failed.

[Jess from VA]

The easy stuff is having a longer term supply of food and water, and ammunition.

Generator, gasoline, batteries, good flashlights (and lasers).

Handguns are nice, but semiautomatic rifles with several hundred pounds of mags and ammo are better. (note that armies don't go to war with pistols, except as backup)  Knowing how they work and how to use them accurately is also helpful.

Taking the time to apply extra security to your home (improved locks, striker plates, lag screws on hinges and door stops).  And a plan on how to defend your home.

If necessary, a plan for getting out of town.

I don't have any idea which big emergency could happen (power grid attack or just a big failure, EMP pulse weapon, a home made dirty bomb near you (DC ?), or anything which would stop truckers from routine food deliveries), but if food and utilities dried up for even a week, things could get very medieval very quickly in the urban world.  Think about what martial law would mean to you.

You can be as Judeo/Christian generous as your conscious dictates, but tell your neighbors nothing (unless your plan is to partner up).  In 27 years, I have only had two neighbors who ever had any idea or thought of a plan or motivation to work one (and one's dead, and the other a mile away).  Unprepared and oblivious neighbors will become part of the problem, not the solution. 

I was a boy scout too (senior patrol leader), and Be Prepared stuck with me.

[Pappy!]

More prepared than some. Not as prepared as I should be and have been thinking more and more about it lately.

[Oldfishguy]

Yes.

I generally do not talk about any prepper plans with neighbors/friends/family.  Two reasons: 1st, people think you are nuts; 2nd, if things go even remotely bad your going to have a crowd at your house looking for survival, your supplies will be gone shortly.

Be careful, plan but do not over plan.  30-60 days supplies seems adequate.  But then again, put some thought into defensive positions.  Keep in mind people in your area that have “Skills”, beyond 30-60 no one can survive without a community.

For those not familiar, Oss made a reference to “One Second After”.  A very good book that will make one think; local libraries usually have a copy.

[scooperhsd]

I usually try to "prepare" for upcoming events - keeping enough food on hand for 3-6 days in a weather event (maybe more in cans), dressing properly, etc. Keeping my vehicles well maintained. Fill up with fuel when power might be out for an extended period. Have extra tank of propane for grill on hand.

I don't dwell too much on the things "preppers" seem to worry about.

[f6john]

I’m not prepared. I have thought about it some. An acquaintance of mine has been in that mode for years. Guns and ammo, canned foods and a supply of gold for when paper is useless. He said he rotates out food with expiration dates by donating to food banks and replacing with fresh stock. There is a lot a person could do but I don’t know if it could ever be “enough”.

[Avanti]

Can not get any more ready.  It has been a done deal for over 40 years.

[Pete]

Having lived out in the country most of my life and tending to not go to town very often, I tend to maintain a reasonable supply of things.

That is not to say I am a prepper, I just abhor not having what I need when I need it, and I will not make a trip into town for just a single need.

As I have gotten older, I have become a real "home body" and resist leaving home.

Everyone should maintain a reasonable supply of needed things, so as not to be a burden during emergency events.

[f6john]

Being a true preppier to me means being able to live totally off the grid for an extended period of time. Being relegated to subdivision living makes that a difficult proposition. Most peppers also have a bug out plan with a vehicle and supplies to reach a remote location where a person could survive without intrusion by others. I just don’t fit the criteria but it must give a lot of people comfort having options.

[old2soon]

            I Do NOT advertise but should I run outa ammo be lotsa folks leavin afore I duz. In my own way I'm as set as I can be. No where Near ideal but I Know how to scrape by. While I try hard to NOT think about a catastrophe it is Never that far from the fore front. If/should/when it all goes in the crapper I'm more like it is what it is. With my breathing issues I ain't fer sure and fer certain outrunnin no body!   Thanks there Evan!   RIDE SAFE.

[..]

It snows here and trees take out power lines.

I bought a generator soon after I moved to Clayton.

Also have a small stock of food, water and other "stuff".

[Jess from VA]

A good deal of my (canned) food stock is way (way) past expiration.  (only one can ever exploded)

It's mostly beans.  

The only way I'm ever gonna eat any of it is if it doesn't smell bad and I'm real real hungry.  

So my question is, do I give some to the zombies first?    

[scooperhsd]

A good deal of my (canned) food stock is way (way) past expiration.  (only one can ever exploded)

It's mostly beans. 

The only way I'm ever gonna eat any of it is if it doesn't smell bad and I'm real real hungry. 

So my question is, do I give some to the zombies first?   

Especially if it smells bad or the can has exploded

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I wasn't going to post in the thread as I think most some everyone will think I'm nuts. Maybe so.

My opinion, have you seen how prepared most if not all "young" folk are today? Most everyone young or old it seems have financial savings that will last them what 45 days per the news I read? And from what I know or hear most under 25 have about 5 days of savings if any. My own kid got a 6 year loan on a truck that may be dead in 3. You think youngsters or most everyone saves up living provisions???

So IF shtf happens all those will have one savings over me, youth and stamina. I'm afraid my worst/best quality is I'm a realist not a hopeful believer. So in my opinion if shtf happens warfare will start and the strongest meanest will rule not someone who saved all there nuts in a hole in the ground atop Mt. Solitude.

Your "savings" will last for as long as you can win the gun battle.

Maybe I should have just said I have ammo but the realist that I am just had to open his mouth.

I have a fair amount of ammo, someone will be thrilled when they rob me blind and leave me dead I'm sure.   Does the smiley face seem appropriate here?

[NewValker]

A very liberal co— worker was bragging to me about the huge amount of food and water he had stockpiled in his cellar just in case. He asked me if I had anything put away. I said no, not a thing, but I got guns to take his food away.
The look on his face was priceless...
Craig

[cookiedough]

I just checked recently my .30-06 remington ammo.  The brass casings are starting to show some minor rust spots been sitting for 15 or so years not used yet.  Are the shells still good to fire?    Maybe I need to buy more ammo just in case my 200 or so rounds go bad?   

My stash of 12 gauge slugs and birdshot seem fine though.....   

[Steve K (IA)]

Can not get any more ready.  It has been a done deal for over 40 years.

Nice set up!  I really like the box on the back.  With one of of those, I could get rid of my trailer.
Do you have a turn signal conversion in the brake/running lights in the trunk?

[Oss]

Thank you all for the replies and PM's

I do not think for a moment that one man, alone, can forever protect his family.  That requires not just friends but a community IMHO

But one man can and should do what he can for his family and his community shouldn't he, without jeopardizing his family. We have to walk the talk in other words without fear of being who we are

If you re-read my original post I was also mentioning being prepared on the bike.  Remember friends don't let friends ride with OEM valve stems !

Who else travels with spare parts? I have donated brake pads and such at Inzane's when someone is in need, and I have been the recipient of folks who have helped me change a bulb in the interstate (Challenger)
bleed a front brake (JoeIS in St Louis) and others including BearintheHouse over near Cody WY

I have even been picked up at an airport and given a goldwing to ride
(Hay) and returned the favor for Dag, Hay and others on the police bike.

We have helped members in need and rallied together when necessary
No need to look further than the saga of Ali or the Thor Hammer relays

At Inzanes there is never a cross word as we see ride and drink with each other

What a wonderful world this is when we deal with others as human beings. It is my hope that if SHTF that we dont turn into zombies and can work with our communities to keep America alive


Best regards my friends

Oss

and if it happens when you are in the neighborhood I will help you any way I can

[Bighead]

Enough staples to last a couple months. And wont metion the rest as who knows whos watching or reporting 

[cookiedough]

I wasn't going to post in the thread as I think most some everyone will think I'm nuts. Maybe so.

My opinion, have you seen how prepared most if not all "young" folk are today? Most everyone young or old it seems have financial savings that will last them what 45 days per the news I read? And from what I know or hear most under 25 have about 5 days of savings if any. My own kid got a 6 year loan on a truck that may be dead in 3. You think youngsters or most everyone saves up living provisions???

So IF shtf happens all those will have one savings over me, youth and stamina. I'm afraid my worst/best quality is I'm a realist not a hopeful believer. So in my opinion if shtf happens warfare will start and the strongest meanest will rule not someone who saved all there nuts in a hole in the ground atop Mt. Solitude.

Your "savings" will last for as long as you can win the gun battle.

Maybe I should have just said I have ammo but the realist that I am just had to open his mouth.

I have a fair amount of ammo, someone will be thrilled when they rob me blind and leave me dead I'm sure.   Does the smiley face seem appropriate here?

I am with you on the younger generation not being prepared.  AS much as I tried telling both my kids to save your pennies,  they still go out to eat WAY WAY too much and spend money foolishly.  We just went out to eat recently Mexican restaurant (not my idea of eating out beans/rice) and a 40 dollar bill they wanted to tip 10 bucks being 25%, which I feel is way way too much of a tip especially since I asked for 3 more waters for us and waiter only brought one so we split the one glass up.   My then age 20 daughter just last year drove with her girly friends to Chicago area to see Taylor Swift and got good seats.  She refused to tell me HOW MUCH but from what I got out of it was near 400 bucks for a fricking ticket.  Who does that?  She says it was worth it once in a lifetime experience?  And hear I am contemplating going to see Joan Jett,  Def Leppard, Poison, and Motley Crue concert at the Milwaukee Brewers stadium and cheapest seats are 80 bucks each, too much for me still...   I was hoping in that 40-50 range for a seat.

My young female boss (who can afford it though since no kids and comes from rich family) age 32 takes yearly trips with her mom and sister on a cruise ship to somewhere warm during the winter months for one week.  She said me and my wife should do it since never have ONLY costs like 1200 bucks each.  Has she seen my paycheck lately?  Duh?   

[hubcapsc]

Enough staples to last a couple months. And wont metion the rest as who knows whos watching or reporting 

Now I can't get the image of you chasing zombies with a
staple gun out of my mind, thanks  ...

-Mike

[98valk]

It snows here and trees take out power lines.

I bought a generator soon after I moved to Clayton.

Also have a small stock of food, water and other "stuff".

interesting info about clayton.

Part of Disney's Old Yeller was shot in Clayton in 1957. Grizzly was filmed on location in Clayton with many residents cast in supporting roles. Production began the week before Thanksgiving 1975 with shooting continuing for about six weeks. After release in May 1976, "Grizzly" became the most financially successful independent motion picture to date - a record it held for more than two years until John Carpenter's "Halloween" hit theaters in October 1978.

Much of William Gibson's 2014 novel The Peripheral is set in Clayton in the not too distant future.

[..]

It snows here and trees take out power lines.

I bought a generator soon after I moved to Clayton.

Also have a small stock of food, water and other "stuff".

interesting info about clayton.

Part of Disney's Old Yeller was shot in Clayton in 1957. Grizzly was filmed on location in Clayton with many residents cast in supporting roles. Production began the week before Thanksgiving 1975 with shooting continuing for about six weeks. After release in May 1976, "Grizzly" became the most financially successful independent motion picture to date - a record it held for more than two years until John Carpenter's "Halloween" hit theaters in October 1978.

Much of William Gibson's 2014 novel The Peripheral is set in Clayton in the not too distant future.

Clayton and the surrounding countryside has been used for many films. I think there were 3 last year.

[Pluggy]

We learned a lesson from Hurricane Michael.  There was a state and federal map of North Carolina showing "safe" and "danger" counties.  We were in a safe one, by about four miles.  All counties East were "danger".  Anyhow, we figured a grocery trip before the big rain was in order.  Surprise.  Folks from all over Eastern North Carolina evacuated to our county, filled the hotels, and bought up all the food. No gasoline, either.  Restaurants were packed.  We managed without power for several days.  We did not starve, but did not eat particularly well, either.

[f6john]

I don’t own a generator either. I recently had our new to us home plumbed with gas lines because my wife wanted a gas cook stove and I wanted to add gas logs to the fire place. Has to be propane as natural gas is not available in my subdivision. I’m thinking when all the remodeling is done, if there is any money left, that I’ll add a stationary generator with an automatic switch setup.

[carolinarider09]

I don’t own a generator either. I recently had our new to us home plumbed with gas lines because my wife wanted a gas cook stove and I wanted to add gas logs to the fire place. Has to be propane as natural gas is not available in my subdivision. I’m thinking when all the remodeling is done, if there is any money left, that I’ll add a stationary generator with an automatic switch setup.

I have been contemplating the same thing.  When I built the house I installed a dedicated circuit that I could hook a portable generator up to and then power the refrigerator, the freezer and the TV (yeah I know).  My internet connection is buried fiber and the modem is on a battery backup.

Anyway, I have been trying to communicate with a major distributor in Greenville about getting an estimate for installing a Kohler generator.  I have natural gas.

Just for the record, during emergency situations (hurricanes, ect), gas companies tend to put a little more pressure in the gas lines incase they loose power so, while its not as reliable as having your own propane tank, its still pretty good.

Anyway, Kohler and Generac were my two choices and the more I read the more I liked the Kohler system for reliability.  I think the estimated cost to install, including the auto transfer switch, is about $10k. 

While not a "preper" I have done things to harden my home and properly in the event of local issues. 

I don't have a "go" bag or a stockpile of foods but have enough on hand to last a week or so.  The only issue would be staying warm (in the winter I have a natural gas fireplace) and access to information (I have a battery powered radio and several other battery powered communications devices, besides a cell phone).

[Chrisj CMA]

Since no one knows what we are preparing for exactly its impossible to know if you are really prepared or just hoarding what you like or think you will need.  I have enough weapons and ammunition to procure food for a long long time if that becomes necessary and I have the weapons I need to protect my family and property.  At the end of the day physical safety/security and the ability to eat is all you need to survive for a while.  You know you are going to need that.  Beyond those things, I know Im never going to be prepared for everything that can happen, so that's where I trust God and know Im ready to go if that is in the cards.

[Oldfishguy]

New book out in reference to this topic for those readers that like a quick read page turner:

“Leave the World Behind” by Rumaan Alam

Excellent writer, and a best seller for a reason.   A modern take on things; that is all I will say about it.

My local library had a copy.

[Valkorado]

Just heard through a grapevine that Russia and China are messing around on both of our coasts as I type this.  Our powers that be are well aware and watching with a laser focus.

As the commies have been in joint training, it is concerning to say the least.

Not a conspiracy theory.

Always be prepared.    

[f6gal]

I agree with Chrisj, it's impossible to know if we are adequately prepared.  We are relatively prepared, but not as much as I would like.  If the worst happens, I expect money will be severely diminished in value or even worthless.  If not prepared, people will have to steal basics.  If I were to go to the extreme, being prepared would mean being "off the grid" or at least having a bunker with independent power source; but, I'm not there.  That said, we do have some basic survival needs:

Gold/silver: Some, but not enough.
Water: At least a year supply of bottled water.
Food: At least a year supply of MREs.
Weapons: Yeah, we have enough.
Ammo: We have a lot, but you can never have enough.
First Aid Supplies: Gauze, tape, suture kits, skin adhesive, blood clotting agents, etc, etc.
Medication: Antibiotics and daily meds; it's difficult to stockpile though.   
Power: 
     Solar, but it's tied to the power grid; we need a solar-powered generator.
     Gasoline: Some; not enough (has to be rotated, so it's not bad)
     Lots of batteries.
     Solar powered lights and other small appliances. 
     Lots of matches and lighters.

Hmmm, that's all I can think of right now.  I would love to have a bug-out plan, but we don't.  If anyone wants to go in on some land and make bug-out plans, I'm all ears. I bring some medical training to the table.   

P.S.  Thanks for the reminder Oss, I need to work on some shortfalls.

[Jess from VA]

I've been thinking a lot more about a boogaloo than a survival scenario.

I have a very nice level 3 vest, but that thing is freeking heavy (and hot), especially under another heavy load bearing vest packed full.  

Been thinking about a good plate and plate carrier.

I am not spending the big money they want for those hi tech combat hats.  I don't have Kevlar either, but I have a perfect WWII helmet with woodland cover that will have to do (and it's almost age appropriate).  

[Crackerborn]

I can deal with power outages, floods, or most natural disasters for up to 60 days. For man-made disasters there is more room for concern as to the length of supply. Powder has been in short supply for a while. 

[0leman]

Spent a week in Susanville, CA without power back in 2008.   Snows took out the power grid.  Had our food out back in a snowbank in coolers.  Kept cold, no problems.  Had a small wood stove in the middle of our home.  Kept house a warm 60 degrees.  Had a gas cook stove.  The gas furnace wouldn't work as needed electricity.

Were we prepared, not really.  Did have a wood pile, but hadn't used the wood stove before that problem.  had more power issues in that town than any other place we had lived.

[carolinarider09]

While I am not a "Prepper" I do try and prepare for short term issues.  At my age, I am not sure that full time prepping would make a real difference. 

I am, however prepared to defend my property and belongings.

Back what the Chi Com virus first made the news I did look up getting some long term storage edibles. They were in short supply.  I may still do that when they are re-stocked (unless things go down hill quickly). 

Power is an issue and while I have a generator it depends on natural gas which depends on supply lines beyond my immediate control.  Propane would have provided more independence but once its gone, it might be hard to replace.  Natural gas might well be more available over time.

Same with water.  I don't have a well but there is a creek at the back of the properly. 

I have the tools and implements to grow a small (one acre of more) garden and the woods are full of game and will probably stay that way for some time. 

My biggest concern is personal security for me and my family. 

Based on what happens in the coming year, my tours of my property with my dog Zoe may well take a more "vigilant" turn. 

Oh, I did look up gold and silver and I suspect silver is a better investment if you are looking for "legal tender" after paper money is no longer accepted. 

However, the Preppier site I visited did state that cash would probably suffice for some  short period of time (months??) so.....   

Just some thoughts. 

[Jess from VA]

Ammo may be the best currency of all, but if you are looking now you are out of luck. 

[rocketray]

had a tornado knock the grid down for several days a few years back in eastern Dallas--I got to the China Joe utility store quickly and bought a some $200 gasoline generator--enuf to run fridge and some lights which was all we  needed....they rec firing it up every few months..and surprisingly it did with a few yanks on the cord..power was back in a few days...living in big D..dreaming of  a life in Tahiti on a medical missionary trip with a really hot nurse funded by some christian group on a large sailing swoop......my perimeter is impossible to defend..having a block party discussion group would be infiltrated  by FEDS I'm sure...maybe it's time to find the deserted island some where..that island Tom Hanks was on in some movie is the place to be????

[JimC]

Ammo may be the best currency of all, but if you are looking now you are out of luck.