Posted on 05/09/2009 12:20:57 PM PDT by appleseed
ping
Prior military IMO is the best source on how to handle youself when shtf. Been my experience that most prepare first for the worst and if that don't happen, it's a bonus.
“I have to say I don’t understand why more churches do not promote the tenant of self sufficiency that the Mormons do; The Lord helps those whom help themselves”
Growing up in the mid-west we always canned food and had lots in the basement. This is truly the first time in history where people thought you were weird for stocking up on food.
Thru most of history people had to store food in order to survive.
LOL!!!
Are those your arms holding the fish on your home page?
Lady Jag, do we have a beefcake FReeper ping list?
;-)
I would like to be added as well. Thanks!
We use to call it a fruit celler. Point is we had fruit, canned goods and other dry goods stowed away in some place. When this turned into a bad thing, I don't know. Must be part of the hope and change BS that a majority of folks fell for.
Isn’t the estimate that most cities have only 3 days of food on the shelves. Most people have even less.
Which is why along with your food you need to stock up on garden seed. I prefer heirloom seeds because they haven’t been tinkered with- but most seeds are fine anyway. If seeds are kept in a dark, cool, dry place many will be good for years in case you don’t grow a garden every year- but I do recommend replacing your seed stash every couple of years. I usually have a garden and seeds I don’t use I pass on to friends and buy fresh ones to keep seeds on hand that will be good if things go to crap. Remember some civilizations were built on corn, beans, and squash so you can use that for the core of your seed saving and add other things that you like.
To really be prepared you need a short term plan- in case you are evacuated or lose power for a few days. You need a medium term plan in case things fall apart for weeks, and you should have a plan in case things fall apart permanently and you have to start over from scratch.
Yep, that’s part of me. Focus is the fish though. What is truly incredible about that pic is I don’t have my fobus with Glock attached. I usually wear it always. Must have been a weak moment.
Added to the list.
Nice fish!
“fobus with Glock”.....you made me look it up.
Don’t leave home without it. :-)
In most of history, a bad winter could keep you stuck and unable to get to town for weeks or even months. Even now we occasionally get bad snowstorms that make the roads impossible for days.
Being raised in the southwest, priorities for survival were always crystal clear. You have to have water, and you have to have electricity. But beyond that, everything is negotiable. And that is a good philosophy to have in a survival situation, because the idea of living “as an island” has some serious flaws.
I am dubious about home gardening in most circumstances, because except under very strict limits, it cannot support you. Fortunately, in most of the US people can raise potatoes, but that is one of the few plants that can provide substantial nutrition in a small crop area, and with limited fertilizer, pesticide, and protection from birds and animals.
Were there to be such a catastrophe that most people would have to leave the southwest, it would be wise to leave with them.
There is a functional limit to how much society can collapse if there are people still around. Collectively people have enormous resources in the US, and are practiced in organizing for mutual benefit.
“I have to say I don’t understand why more churches do not promote the tenant of self sufficiency that the Mormons do...”
I gather you missed the thread where we were *lectured* that preparing for survival situations is “hoarding” and is “unbiblical”? ;)
I must admit that, as a lifelong Christian with friends from any number of denominations, I’d never heard of this before, but hey, as they say “down home”: “You read the Bible your way and I’ll read it mine.” :)
So I’ll just keep on doin’ what I’m doin’, which is making provision for me and mine and friends and neighbors and angels unaware, to the best of my ability.
Two things that the author touched on that ought to be reiterated: that *now* is the time for people to be giving some thought to “what if”; and that *knowing* that you’ve made at least some preparation for emergencies does indeed give people a sense of calm that allows for wiser decision-making in emergency situations. :)
as they say “down home”: “You read the Bible your way and I’ll read it mine.
So I’ll just keep on doin’ what I’m doin’, which is making provision for me and mine and friends and neighbors and angels unaware, to the best of my ability.
Been through a lot of stuff. I know what I'm doing as far as my own house goes. Read the scriptures and am aware. I think you are right on the money. Thanks for your thoughts.
We don't but we should have one. Have you started one?
Not me.
Who else should we nominate?
You surely don’t have to have electricity, my family didn’t have it until I was 12 years old and we survived just fine, as did whole civilizations before us. A short term plan should include a generator to save food in fridge and freezer, but for long term you better plan on not having electricity unless you have everything it takes to create it- fuel for a generator will be limited in worse case scenerio. You of course need water. If things fall apart so badly that basic survival is the issue, then survival will be the number one concern and will consume nearly all of everyone’s time. The main thing we are talking about is survival here, not having everything we have now. Survival consists of hunting, gathering, and a large garden and domestic livestock such as chickens, milk cow, etc. can supplement that. It is not the same as my little garden that I piddle with some years when I could get by just fine without it.
Why do you think what I suggested is “island” planning? Of course like minded folks will work together as they have throughout history. Having a little of everything makes sense because what you can’t use you can share or trade for what you need. Everyone is in a different situation of course, but many do have the means to have garden and livestock. Many of those that don’t have relatives and friends that do. Some will need different plans if they live in the city and so do all their friends and family, they will have to have things and of course their labor to trade.
Many people survived in the Southwest before all the modern conveniences, it surely can be done. It will be tough anywhere if things are that messed up.
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