Posted on 10/07/2015 9:35:22 AM PDT by w1n1
Do you recall how you became interested in survival prepping? Was it a personal experience from a localized disaster that you were not prepared for, or perhaps watching a catastrophic event on television? Maybe you fear the economic crisis in Greece or exodus of thousands of people from troubled countries who might reach the shores of America? Maybe it was triggered by a stock market shutdown due to a computer glitch?
Whatever the reason or motivation that started you into prepping, the good news is these are all issues you are thinking about. You might be eager to carry this concern forward to the next logical phase. Here are some initial planning steps to get you pointed in the right direction.
Establish a Knowledge Base If you wanted to learn how to change the oil in your car, shoot a gun or know how to do yoga, what would you do first? You might buy a book on the subject, look up information on the Internet, watch a YouTube video or possibly sign up for a class to learn how-to, firsthand.
These are all reasonable approaches, but the core element here is to learn. This is the first step with prepping, too. It can be accomplished in a host of ways, including tasks as simple as visiting the local library or bookstore. Maybe it would help to seek out a few survivalist Internet sites like Alloutdoor.com or SurvivalCache.com. These sources can open many doors to education and planning.
Knowing what to do first, then second and so forth is crucial, because with prepping you really cannot afford to make too many mistakes. Also know that prepping is a lifelong learning process.
Learn & Earn Skills You may be an experienced outdoors person or have completed Delta Force training in the Army, which certainly would have provided some background skills, but more than likely you’re an accountant, an elementary school teacher or mechanic at the local garage. You need to assess the skills you possess and those of your team, which can include family, friends or like-minded individuals. Everyone has a role. This will help you determine what other skills you need to acquire.
Seek out local sources for skills training. Look at potential courses taught at local community colleges, or outdoors groups. Look on bulletin boards at supplier stores to see if related events are scheduled. You will likely be surprised at all of the prepper activities going on right in your own hometown. Read the rest of the survival prepping story here.
If you don’t mind me asking, what prompted you to live in such a fashion?
Where did you carry water from? Did you buy it or were there fresh water streams? Looks like you had electricity?
Heck, it sounds like you should be giving us all tips. Nothing like experience to teach you all those little things you’d never think of until you have to deal with it.
The electricity you see is what I generated via solar panels, batteries and an inverter/charger. Not a lot of power. About 2KVA. Not enough to run a well. That was by hand.
Now that I'm back in town with mains power, I'm using the panels and batteries for emergency power here at the house. Lights, radio, wifi, network router... etc...
/johnny
I could run fence-lines for my room/board/space. I had 4 acres and that little shack. ;)
She did get married.
It wasn't to me.
/johnny
Yep. Experience is a great teacher. The tuition is pretty expensive, though.
/johnny
Recently my house water main broke and we were without for a week. Drinking & cooking was by far the least need. Washing was huge (even when minimal). Flushing... good that I have a small pond solving that volume with ease.
Wasn’t there a movie about that shack? Behind the Red Door??
Use a ‘sock’ type filter and the black filters sold by Berky. Then a pass through a Sawyer .02 micron filter. More than this would be distillation in one form or another.
Thanks...
I found it less than funny one morning when 2 of the bulls wound up on my porch. I don't believe in the bull/red color thing, but I was close that morning. ;)
/johnny
It was a joke, the movie was actually called Behind the Green Door. When I was in my early 20’s I lived for a year and a half in a small one room geodesic dome on a platform held up by telephone pole stilts. I was in college and only had to pay 30 a month. There were geodesic domes scattered around Carbondale Illinois because Buckminster Fuller taught there and I took his World Game class. The only entrance to the dome was from a trap door in the platform. I would pull my VW beetle up under the dome, step on the fender then the hood and could get inside. Dog and cat quickly learned. It had electricity and a small oil heater. No water, there was a hand pump at the back of an old farmhouse no one lived in. I had to do any dishes there, cold water on, and would set plastic jugs out with water to warm up for a back porch shower. I was in college with a full scholarship for tuition but nothing for room and board.I remember a restaurant in the college town that one night a week had all you can eat spaghetti for 2.00. I’d get a glass of water too and take some lemon sugar packets they had out for tea and make my own lemonade. Ah those were the days / NOT!!
It was a joke, the movie was actually called Behind the Green Door. When I was in my early 20’s I lived for a year and a half in a small one room geodesic dome on a platform held up by telephone pole stilts. I was in college and only had to pay 30 a month. There were geodesic domes scattered around Carbondale Illinois because Buckminster Fuller taught there and I took his World Game class. The only entrance to the dome was from a trap door in the platform. I would pull my VW beetle up under the dome, step on the fender then the hood and could get inside. Dog and cat quickly learned. It had electricity and a small oil heater. No water, there was a hand pump at the back of an old farmhouse no one lived in. I had to do any dishes there, cold water on, and would set plastic jugs out with water to warm up for a back porch shower. I was in college with a full scholarship for tuition but nothing for room and board.I remember a restaurant in the college town that one night a week had all you can eat spaghetti for 2.00. I’d get a glass of water too and take some lemon sugar packets they had out for tea and make my own lemonade. Ah those were the days / NOT!!
Also, keep a WaterBob around, if events where you might have some warning (hurricanes) are likely. $20-$25.
Amen then Prep!
For Washing. I think there are Dry Shampoo to wash hair. One can use wipes to bath.
That is cute, but does it have a bathroom for you know what? =)
Short answer is no. And there were large predators like bears and mountain lions in that pasture.
I didn't go out unless I was a)armed b)dressed c)had the dogs with me.
One night a dog ran off a big cat. My business finished early and I got inside the shack. ;)
/johnny
Which was hotter? The offset smoker or the tin house?
/johnny
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