"preppers" ... nutter survivalists or common sense??

[billvon 2,991]

>Throw a wind generator on there and you could meet your needs - well 2% of
>them anywway.

In a power outage, I guarantee you it will be closer to 100%!

[usedtajump 1]

Hell, for the first four days gerbils in a treadmill generator would have been a luxury.

The older I get the less I care who I piss off.

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

people tend to think "well first, I'll get a bunch of guns. then food and water and then self sustaining gear"

Nope, just seems to be you. That also seems to be a truism. When people use the term people to describe everyone not present, the usually as just mapping their own opinion upon everyone else in the world. Or at least the ones they don't think they agree with.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[diablopilot 2]

So who's got the stingers?

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[rhaig 0]

Quote

Quote

people tend to think "well first, I'll get a bunch of guns. then food and water and then self sustaining gear"

Nope, just seems to be you. That also seems to be a truism. When people use the term people to describe everyone not present, the usually as just mapping their own opinion upon everyone else in the world. Or at least the ones they don't think they agree with.

hey look... someone else who doesn't read. I've stated opposite to how you believe I'm describing myself. Either you think I'm outright lying, or you want to psychoanalyze me and don't care what I actually say. Either way, I don't care what you have to say anymore. any of you. anymore than you care what I say.

I used to think it was the stupid PA rules that made everyone so hateful but I'm slowly realizing it's that people here don't actually read posts, they skim them and hit reply without actually absorbing any information.

It's the volume. trying to keep up means you skim the posts, and fire off a reply here and there.

--
Rob

[davjohns 1]

Everything can be taken to extremes. Prior to Y2K, I put up extra food and such. I wasn't worried too much about the computers. I was concerned that some people would use the tension as an excuse to riot. The riots might cause temporary shortages. If I lived in someplace like LA, I would have been much more concerned.

After Y2K fizzled, I kept on buying canned goods and such when they were on sale and having a nice store on hand. I figured if money was tight, got snowed in or such, I was covered.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[riggerrob 643]

GOOD vehicle: Souped-up 4X4 SUV or Totota Prius?

Let the debates begin!

[ryoder 1,590]

riggerrob

GOOD vehicle: Souped-up 4X4 SUV or Totota Prius?

Let the debates begin!

Speaking as a Coloradan, whatever you choose needs ground clearance measured in *feet*, and the ability to float is a big plus. Attached photo is ~3 miles from me.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[Stumpy 284]

Holy crap - I don't think even your criteria would have helped much there. What was that - a flash flood?

ETA - never mind - just read the news!

Hope all ok with you!

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[rifleman 70]

I'm a firm believer in the 6 P's

Proper
Preparation
Prevents
Piss
Poor
Performance

Where I live the most likely scenario is being snowed in or power outages caused by bad weather (no chance of flooding as we're on a hill and the nearest river is a mile away). I have plenty of food (boxes of military issue ration packs), gas stove and lanterns with plenty of extra cartridges for both, collapsible water carriers. I have cold weather gear and walking poles in case I have to get into town (6 miles) and a snow shovel to clear the path from my house to the main road.

The ratpacks are all boil in the bag so can use the water to make hot drinks and I preserve fruit and veg from my garden during the summer to use later.

Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

[riggerrob 643]

ryoder

***GOOD vehicle: Souped-up 4X4 SUV or Totota Prius?

Let the debates begin!

Speaking as a Coloradan, whatever you choose needs ground clearance measured in *feet*, and the ability to float is a big plus. Attached photo is ~3 miles from me.

..................................................................................

Holy Saint ????? !!!!

That large an obstacle requires helicopter rotors or hovercraft skirts!
Does anyone know where I can buy hovercraft skirts for my Toyota?
Hah!
Hah!

[yoink 321]

Rhaig

I agree with you. You're not alone in your opinions.

[OHCHUTE 0]

The Floods of Boulder. Enough reason to have a couple of items on hand in the event of a disaster.

[Skyrad 0]

diablopilot

Quote

Good drills to be prepared, but these people sound somewhat obsessive.

Remind me of that the next time there is a Katrina type event in your neighborhood.

To many people seriously believe in the stability of the systems they use daily. Ask your self how would I cope without water or electricity for 5 days. If you're answer involves relying on anyone but yourself, you should see that as a problem and address it.

Or don't. I'll be ok either way.

Actually I took your advice here, I did go away and seriously look at the infrastructure for food, fuel and security. What I found was alarming to say the least. So I now have those areas covered. Having seen how quickly society broke down during the last lot of riots across England (which happened just seven months after your post) when (not if) the next ones come along I'll be better prepared to look after my family and community.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Darius11 12]

Much older truck without a computer in it.

Thats what you want.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[riggerrob 643]

Darius11

Much older truck without a computer in it.

Thats what you want.

..................................................................................

In Canada, most older trucks are so badly rusted that their chassis are frillier than your lacy underpants!
Hah!
Hah!
Where do we find reliable, older trucks?

[turtlespeed 220]

riggerrob

***Much older truck without a computer in it.

Thats what you want.

..................................................................................

In Canada, most older trucks are so badly rusted that their chassis are frillier than your lacy underpants!
Hah!
Hah!
Where do we find reliable, older trucks?

Buy them from the US

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[steve1 5]

Surviving a natural disaster or riot might be one thing to worry about and prepare for. I often worry about something bigger.

What if our economy collapses. If there was no food to buy, no electricity, no water, no gas, no police, transportation, or communication, etc.

It seems like it would really be dog eat dog in the cities. Criminals might rule just like they have in other riots.

Heading to the boonies might be a good idea, at least for a while.

If you had a good stockpile of food, water, ammo, weapons, etc. you'd have to defend it. It might be hard to take it all with you, (if you were on the move).

Surviving alone would be improbable. You'd need other capable people to help you.

For some just dieing might be an option. Those who survived would need a plan, preparedness, and a lot of luck.....

Does anyone else ever worry about this?

A friend of mine has a farm out in the boon docks. His plan is gathering together friends to help him raise food and defend what they have. Maybe that idea isn't so crazy after all......

Is it crazy to take a life jacket with you when you go out on the water, or wear a reserve parachute when you jump? I think we all prepare for the future the best we can.....Some don't want to think about it.

In nature when animals die of starvation it's the young and old who die first. Since I'm an old fart I might be one of the first to go. This may never happen in my lifetime, but who's to say it can't happen. Someday I know it will.....

[regulator 0]

I don't have a bunker or anything crazy but I do have a packed bugout bag prepared at all times with enough mountain house dehydrated food for a few weeks. I live in a hurricaine zone and I my family has been flooded out many many times. One of the most strange things you see in a flood is a antpile. If you see a blob of something black stay the fuck away from it. Ants pile on top of each other and float on the water. If just a hair of your body comes in contact with the pile you are gonna get tore up fast. Having a katadyn pocket water filter with lots of firemaking tools helps.

[regulator 0]

Skyrad

***

Quote

Good drills to be prepared, but these people sound somewhat obsessive.

Remind me of that the next time there is a Katrina type event in your neighborhood.

To many people seriously believe in the stability of the systems they use daily. Ask your self how would I cope without water or electricity for 5 days. If you're answer involves relying on anyone but yourself, you should see that as a problem and address it.

Or don't. I'll be ok either way.

Actually I took your advice here, I did go away and seriously look at the infrastructure for food, fuel and security. What I found was alarming to say the least. So I now have those areas covered. Having seen how quickly society broke down during the last lot of riots across England (which happened just seven months after your post) when (not if) the next ones come along I'll be better prepared to look after my family and community.
--------------------------------------------
You should look at the katrina hurricaine as well. Very little law and order. Police confiscating weapons. People shooting at helicopters coming to give them aid. You name it it probably happened. I know a lady in my grandmothers neighborhood. She took in two katrina evacuees and within two days they killed her and stole her car. They were caught in another state driving that poor lady's stolen car. Both of them are now in prison for life.

[Stumpy 284]

steve1

Does anyone else ever worry about this?

Sure. I have a civil defence plan (what it's called in NZ) and supplies.
Do I spend a LOT of time worrying about it? No. Its a cost vs benefit equation, same as anything else in life. You prioritise the important and more likely things and focus on them first.

For example, I am more concerned about high blood pressure (given my family background) than I am about being cut off from civilisation for an extended period of time - so a lot more thought, time and expense goes into my health and wellbeing than digging bunkers and buying generators. My assessment of the risk of civil breakdown is that the chances are so low that the level of preparedness I have is enough. There is always the chance that I am wrong - but that is the case regardless of how prepared you are. You cannot cover every eventuality, so focus on those that you feel are more likely.

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[steve1 5]

Stumpy

***
Does anyone else ever worry about this?

Sure. I have a civil defence plan (what it's called in NZ) and supplies.
Do I spend a LOT of time worrying about it? No. Its a cost vs benefit equation, same as anything else in life. You prioritise the important and more likely things and focus on them first.

For example, I am more concerned about high blood pressure (given my family background) than I am about being cut off from civilisation for an extended period of time - so a lot more thought, time and expense goes into my health and wellbeing than digging bunkers and buying generators. My assessment of the risk of civil breakdown is that the chances are so low that the level of preparedness I have is enough. There is always the chance that I am wrong - but that is the case regardless of how prepared you are. You cannot cover every eventuality, so focus on those that you feel are more likely.
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That makes sense....

What I invision for the future probably won't happen any time soon. No, I don't have a big bunker in the back yard, but like many Americans I don't totally trust the establishment to keep me safe if things fail.

Things could change drastically whether it's a natural disaster or worse. It could happen sooner than you think.

I knew one family who refused to leave their home during Katrina. The only reason they weren't robbed or vandalized was because they were home and armed.

My brother went through the L.A. riots. You could call the police, but noone would come. He was never a gun person, but first chance he got, he bought one.

Many people are thinking about what could happen and they are preparing accordingly. I think that is one reason behind the ammuntion shortage, and why the sale of guns have sky-rocketed recently.....This is more than just panic buying. Many are just planning ahead.

[Skyrad 0]

I have looked at Katrina Paul as well as several other real life scenarios around the world. I've the basics covered, food, water, security, healthcare, comms but building a strong and prepared community is the most effective way of securing your own security. That is the most time consuming and difficult aspect but pays the biggest dividends in the long run. When the lights go out is not the time to start getting to know your neighbours and hope that they've taken some basic precautions.
Another important aspect is skills and knowledge, attempting to grow your own food in a WROL/SHTF situation is not a good time to start also as our Kiwi friend pointed out, looking after your health now is vital to surviving in times of crisis. 'Soft skills' such as negotiation and influencing others ranks high too.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[regulator 0]

I agree completely. Also its good to have redundancy on some of your items to use for barter for other goods with people that you come in contact with. My family has a large spread of land in a remote area. I have been investigating different plant life that is fairly hearty and can grow with little intervention. I've always like almonds and I have planted a few trees out there which as of the last check around 6 weeks ago they were starting to produce. I have several close friends with the same mindset and all of us are proficient with firearms, security, and survival but its always good to learn new skills that add to your skillset when you run into a SHTF scenerio.

[Skyrad 0]

I totally agree, I've some fruit trees on my land and a good amount of edible vegetation. Recently I've been working on my foraging knowledge of indigenous edible species as well which is interesting and adds depth to the appreciation of the countryside around me. As I live on a massively overpopulated island my nearest available remote area is several hours travel from home and I don't expect that in a large scale event that the roads would be passable, therefore my first option would be an in situ one with a secondary bug out plan should that prove to be unsustainable.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca