'SURBAN SURVIVALISTS': Weak economy spurs spike in emergency preparedness

(AP) via TIMESANDDEMOCRAT.com ^ | June 22, 2009 | GILLIAN FLACCUS

[Cindy]

SAN DIEGO --

SNIPPET: "Wiseman isn't alone. Emergency supply retailers and military surplus stores nationwide have seen business boom in the past few months as an increasing number of Americans spooked by the economy rush to stock up on gear that was once the domain of hard-core survivalists."

[Texas resident]

Yep. Been there, done that. Hurricane Rita, 2005. Hurricane Ike 2008. Last storm left over 2 million electrical customers out of power for nearly a week. No anything unless you stocked up. And after the power came back, the grocery stores took a while to restock on perishables. We helped out a lot of the unprepared gladly. We shared food and water and provided a cool dark room for those who were getting overheated. Our church took in about 80 refugees who were really glad to get a roof over them and get a meal and a cot for the night. Part of what God calls us to do. No Problem.

[Lurker]

Yep

[Texas resident]

Nothing sexier than a woman with a gun.
Especially if it is Reba.
As long as it is not pointed in my general direction.

[IrishPennant]

Even at her current age, she is still adorable! And can probably hold her own at any local turkey shoot.

[Vaquero]

I am not going to rob my neighbors, if thats what you think I mean??????

I do know where to get meat though...and like that home owner with the double ought buck....I am prepared to maintain my family in as much safety as possible. as far as water, quick stills can be made out of sheets of plastic to convert suspect water into potable water....

[randomhero97]

Great movie. I think it’s my parents favorite movie, lol.

[Cindy]

Yep, I hear you.

I didn’t live in a hurricane area, but one that did have frequent power outages and earthquakes.

Backstock, at the very least is a very good thing.

Living on an old, old farm years ago was a good learning experience.

[SloopJohnB]

Another good site discussing the basics to total collapse of the country (Have-nots vs. Haves):

Survial Blog

[Freedom4US]

Really, this is where camping and spending time outdoors, scouting programs, etc really make sense. Power outages are not fun but can be managed with just a bit of planning. Candles can be dangerous, any fire
must not be left unattended. Generators out side, etc. Problem is people forget how dangerous the good ole days were!!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Here’s a good list, and likely can all be fit in a small suitcase. Separate from toolkit and emergency automobile kit.

Alum
Antacid pills
Bags, Pint, Quart, Trash
Bandage Wrap, Plastic, Regular, Self-Stick
Batteries, AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, hearing aid
Binoculars
Breathe Right Nasal Strips
Camcorder
Camera, Digital
Can Opener
Chapsticks
Chalk, Colored Marking
Clock, Travel Alarm, wind
Coagulant Powder
Cold Pack, Instant
Creams, Antiseptic+, Cold Sore, Hydrocortisone,
Muscle Relief, Oral Analgesic, Penicillin,
Prep H
Cutter, Hair, manual
Dental Cement, Floss, Picks, Toothbrush
Deordorant, Room Air, Personal
Ear Plugs
Ear/Nasal Scope
Emory Board
Eye, Drops, Patch, Eyeglass Repair
Finger Splint
Fishing Line, Fish hooks
Gauze, Patches, Tape
Glasses, Protective
Gloves, Latex, Plastic, Leather
Glue, Gorilla
Grease, White Lithium
Hack Saw Blade
Hemostat
Horehound Herb
Ipecac
Lights, Flash, Pen, Limpet
Lighters, Butane disposable
Lozenges, Cold Eeze
Masks, Ear Loop
Measuring Tape
Mirrors, Concave, Hand
Nail Clippers
Nasal Spray, Afrin, Saline
Patch, Pain Relief
Pills, NSAIDS, Sleeping, Antihistamine,
Immodium, Nausea, Anti-Gas, Laxative,
Prescription
Powder, Talcum
Radio, SW and Weather, cranked
Rasps, Course, Fine
Razors, Scraper, Straight, Shaving
Safety Pins
Sanitizer Hand, Liquid, Wipes
Saw, Multi-Purpose
Scissors, Bandage and GP
Screwdriver Sets, Large, Small
Sewing Kit w/Multipurpose Needles
Shampoo
Shaving Cream
Shoe Laces, Spare
Skin Lotion
Soaps, Dial, Lye
Spray Bottles, SM Empty
Sunscreen
Swiss Army Knife
Tape, Velcro
Ties, Nylon 75lb Test, Small
Tongue Depressors
Torches, Pencil w/Butane,
Canister Propane
Tweezers
Vaseline
Vitamin D
Walkie Talkie 10m Range
Wash Cloth
Water Heater, cup electric
Whistle
Wipes, Alcohol, Bactine
Wire, Insulated Copper

[PA Engineer]

I agree with what you are saying. One round will due in the armed stockpiler, however every family should have basic defense. These include handgun, rifle and shotgun (with ammunition). Even better that every family has at least one concealable handgun per person in addition to the basics.

Food, water, light, cooking fuel, medical supplies and tools (not inclusive) should be the primary concern. I do not know how many are going to prepare at the last minute. We have been doing it for years and find ourselves in surprise situations when tested. Just recently we had a short power outage of six hours. I went down and turned on the backup inverters. The inverter alarm went off and said the batteries were dead. Impossible, because I religiously maintain the batteries (8-L16s). I went and hooked up the generator, started it and again problems arose. It kept stalling out. Made adjustments and found that all of the hoses were rotting and cracked. This was another piece of equipment I run bimonthly, change the oil, and treat the fuel. Got the generator running and went back to the subbasement to check the batteries. The voltages indeed indicated they were all dead. Wet levels were okay. Began the charge cycle and started checking the specific gravity on each of the cells. Sure enough one cell in on battery had sulfated and died.

Spoke with a few experts (have to replace the battery) and they said that even maintained batteries can have problems. Either related to production, equalization and in my case a high voltage surge from a blown transformer a month ago that ground looped into my batteries (my system monitor was fried and had to replace it and I assumed wrongly that the batteries could take that type of hit).

In case you wondering, we are on well water and no power means no water. I installed the system over ten years ago. Lesson learned.

What I am trying to say is that even those that have prepared learn when tested and then adjust their preps. I just do not see how people are going to successfully prepare at the last minute. I think it will have benefits, however I believe they will be somewhat minimal.

P.S. In regards to backup power systems, the common power ground is a problem when dealing with surges (inclusive of EMP). Nothing would be more devastating then to find your inverters fried in the worst case scenario. Gas arrestors work fine on the hot side. I have yet to figure a code approved solution for the neutral and grounded side to the backup power system. Short of disconnecting and reconnecting the ground when needed (code violation), I am up for any suggestions.

[Dr.Deth]

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[SJSAMPLE]

Good job on testing your generator.
You’d be surprised at the number of people who never run the thing and can’t figure out why it doesn’t work when they really need it.

[Cindy]

Smiling at you...yep, we called it advanced camping.

[Professional Engineer]

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