[goodwithagun]

Any and all suggestions welcomed! Question: How long will seeds last if I vacuum seal them?

[EggsAckley]

Transistor radio.

[Kartographer]

For those interested you can download my Preparedness Manual at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ojmy2z1zfin

[Responsibility2nd]

There was a good Survivalist thread going on earlier today.

But the mods nuked it. Who knows why.

[JRandomFreeper]

Don't vacuum seal them nitrogen seal them.

Add dentures to your emergency list. And spare glasses.

/johnny

[magslinger]

Question: How long will seeds last if I vacuum seal them?

I don't know if vacuum sealing the seeds would help, hurt or totally destroy the seeds, but seeds stored in extremely dry conditions have germinated after thousands of years. There will be some reduction in germination rates, but as long as you keep the seeds reasonably dry, cool and away from vermin they should be OK for any length of time you would be worried about.

[justsaynomore]

I’m a prepper (I like threads like this)

I like the handcrank radio and flashlights (in case you run out of batteries). We have a solar lantern we camp with that has come in very handy when the power goes out.

I have planted seeds that were two years old that I sealed with silicon packets

[rfreedom4u]

Have you stocked up on ammo? Also some sort of fire making material and water purification.

[barmag25]

[rahbert]

a bottle or two (or more) of good cognac/armagnac, akavit or kirschwasser for medicinal purposes only ;-)

some strong waxed cord, for setting rabbit snares,
cooking oil, pepper, salt, a field guide to edible plants,
a dutch oven, and plastic sheet.

[Centurion2000]

COFFEE

[AlaskaErik]

Without guns and ammo to defend yourself and your supplies you’re just going to provision the first armed predator that comes along.

[Ramius]

Here’s what’s in my Bug-Out Bag:

Large Heavy Duty Duffel

Sheath Knife
Pistol ammo
Rifle ammo
Binoculars, 10x25
Entrenching tool
Hatchet
Leatherman tool
Soft hat / ballcap
Boots
Spare Rx glasses/sunglasses
Tarp 10x10
50ft para cord
25ft rope
2x Chem lights
Portable radio
Flashlight(s)
4x D cells
4x AA cells
4x AAA cells
Candle lantern /candles
Lighter
Duct tape
ziplock bags
Collapsible 5gal water container
1 gallon water
5x MRE w/heaters
Granola bars
Water purification tabs
Toilet Paper
Basic bath kit
Rain Poncho
Blanket
Change of clothes
2x change of socks
10x $20 cash
Cigarettes/Snuff
Listerine
Flask whiskey

First Aid Kit:

4x Quik Clot
2x 10in battle dressing
4x 6in battle dressing
5x 4in Dressing sponge
5x 4in Dressing gauze
4x Compressed bandage
2x Ace bandage
4x surgical mask
4x latex gloves
Surgical clamp
X-Acto knife /blades
Emergency airway
Scissors
Bandaids
Betadine
Hydrocortizone
Americaine
Calamine
Benadryl
Immodium
Super glue
Deet
Aspirin
Advil

[muir_redwoods]

When the SHTF it would be a good thing to have a ready supply of .22, .45acp., 9mm, .223 and 7.62X39, Even if you don’t have a firearm chambered for one of those calibers, they will trade well for other goods.

[ChinaThreat]

You appear to already have the most important element of any survival situation; situational awareness.

[CodeToad]

Make your own candles. http://www.peakcandle.com/

[2aberro]

Look for some of those solar charged yard lights. My wife picked some up at a yard sale for a couple bucks.

I recently went on a camping on the boat week. I took one and set it up up to charge in the day and had plenty of light in the boat at night. Something to consider.

[libertarian27]

Baking Soda - check out the many uses of it on the net - amazing stuff that can replace soap, deodorant, antacids,etc.

[Gator113]

I have only one more thing I intend to add to our survival prep, that’s a HAM radio capability.

In any crisis, the first failure is almost always.... communications.

Now, I have read many very good lists of what to have. but there is one important item that is all too often left off the list...... toilet paper.

Sure, you can laugh at me now, but when you run out of it, the very next day, you are going to remember this post. LOL Worse yet, imagine how absolutely horrible of a mood your wife is going to be in, at about the second or 3rd day without TP.... guns will not protect you from her wrath over this. Buy the darn TP.

If you have what you need to take care of your feet and your butt, at least you will be able to march to a better location. ;>)

[Lurker]

Get one of those hand crank multi-purpose bits of gear. I have one that is not only a crank powered flashlight but a NOAA weather radio, a FRS/GMRS radio, and will charge a cell phone through a USB port.

Whenever possible look for tools that multi-task.

They may look goofy but toss a couple of those head mounted flashlights, preferably the LED type that have red output, too. You can use those and keep your hands free. The red light won't wreck your night vision.

Get a QUALITY multi-tool. I know the owner of Leatherman is a huge lib, but he makes good stuff. Buy one.

If you wear glasses, get a spare pare. Those could save your life.

Think about packing a small "Go Bag" in a Camelback type pack. You can fill that with water and go. You'd be surprised at how much water you'll got through if you have to boogie out of someplace.

I keep some beef jerky and trail mix in mine. A quick meal and some fresh water will keep you moving. Toss in some of those chem-lights. They go stale after a year or so so be sure you keep them fresh. But they're light and can be used for a lot of things.

Have you got a compass and a map of the local area? Toss one of each in there. Keep a spare pair of socks and some comfortable walking shoes in there.

Grab one or two of those cheap makeup mirrors and toss them in there. You can signal with those as well as look around corners.

One day soon I'll itemize and post the contents of mine for review and comment.

Hope it helps.

[goodwithagun]

Any recommendations for water purification tabs? Any particular brand people like?