Using Layers to Build Your Preparedness Supply

Ready Nutrition ^ | 11/12 | Tess Pennington

[Kartographer]

I have found that when starting your preparedness measures, it is best to start at the beginning in order to ensure you have everything you need to build up your foundation. Start your preparations with a 72-hour kit and then create a vehicle 72-hour kit. Once that is complete, you can begin ensuring your basic needs are met for longer periods or begin targeting other layers of preparedness. The 52-Weeks to Preparedness series offers a complete list of getting your home and family ready for unexpected disasters.

Having multiple emergency plans is another example of layering up. Not only do you always need a Plan B, you need Plan C, Plan D and on through the alphabet for every situation. Keep the following tips in mind when beginning your preparedness foundation:

Keep family members and any medical or special needs in mind when planning Don’t forget your pets Continually adding onto your layers will makes for a more economical approach to preparing Many preps have multiple uses and can be used for multiple disasters Let’s look at some other examples of how you might layer your preparedness.

[Kartographer]

For you review and comments.

[Kartographer]

Preppers’ PING!!

[freedumb2003]

Have you gotten feedback from the folks hit by Sandy yet? I am pretty sure your advice (obviously stocking up on gasoline) would have helped them a lot.

Just curious.

I am always honest: I think WTSHTF is twaddle but preparing for emergencies is what any smart person should do.

[freedumb2003]

(insert goats and chicken joke here)

[2ndDivisionVet]

100 Items to Disappear First

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won’t heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur).
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {”Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

From a Sarajevo War Survivor:
Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and
friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks.

1. Stockpiling helps. but you never know how long trouble will last, so locate
near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war
quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold’s.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it’s the easiest to
do without (unless you’re in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without
heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of
the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs
enough heat to “warm”, not to cook. It’s cheap too, especially if you buy it in
bulk.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more
valuable as the war continues. Sure, it’s great to have a lot of survival
guides, but you’ll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you’ll
have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you’re human can fade pretty fast. I can’t tell you how many
people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of
toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to
lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches

[Godzilla]

Good article, modifiable depending upon your personal threat assessment.

[Kartographer]

Yes, both JRandomFreeper and Marcella also recieved Kudos both in thread post and FReep mails.

And all three of us also recieved anti-prepper posts during Sandy. Seems you either help or stand around and bitch about others and the situation. And even on FR you will find some who would rather bitch than help.

[PMAS]

*

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Please add me to your Ping List. Thanks!

[Kartographer]

This is in my Preparedness Manual. Its a good list despite what freedumb2003 thinks.

[concerned about politics]

And learn to never throw anything away. Use it up.

For example, I was watching a prepping show the other day. Some people were all proud of themselves because they turned a bushel of apples into cider. WTF?

First of all, the skins of those apples could be dried, spiced, and used for snacks. The meat of the apple can be canned for pie or fruit and longer term storage. The smaller pieces around the core can be used for apple pie jam. The core can be crushed, soaked, and the loose juice used for jelly or syrup. What remains of the core can be used for making apple cider vinegar (which would be used to preserve vegetables that lack long term storage abilities, like summer squash and cucumbers).

These "preppers" were making friggen cider - one gallon - and were so proud of themselves. Seriously? I mean really. Seriously???

Don't throw away hard wood ash from the wood stove. Make soap. AND that ash is 20-50% lyme (depending on the type of wood). It can be used for the garden to de-acidify mulch, or made into a paste for stove repair. It's also good for melting ice, or covering "humanure" if necessary.

[PMAS]

*

[tumblindice]

On one hand, I just finished Creek Stewart’s `Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit’ (only a couple bucks on Kindle) and am using it to improve my own.
On the other hand, I’m not doing a lot of the hardcore prepper stuff I read about here and elsewhere. And I’ll give you a granola bar if your ribs are showing. Moderation in all things.

[TurboZamboni]

BFL

[freedumb2003]

>>And all three of us also recieved (sic) anti-prepper posts during Sandy. Seems you either help or stand around and bitch about others and the situation. And even on FR you will find some who would rather bitch than help.<<

Hey, I poke fun at you but I am NOT anti-prepper. Like I said, I was in a disaster zone AND survived an actual RL big-time disaster. I know what is needed and posted a sensible list.

I merely pointed out that people can’t prep for a disaster as they would for the mythical WTSHTF.

JRF and Marcella, can you post or link to your experiences?

Smart preparation makes a lot of sense. Getting ready for a Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome OTOH: probably low to zero ROI.

Keep posting these (seriously) and I’ll keep helping you keep it real.

[freedumb2003]

>>And I’ll give you a granola bar if your ribs are showing. Moderation in all things.<<

Hey, I have cover now for storing fat for WTSHTF.

That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

(OTOH, do you think they will want to eat me first?)

[concerned about politics]

Worn out clothes can be made into layered quilts for warmth. Fabrics not suited for quilts can be braided into rugs. The colonialists used these rugs to sleep on and as cushions for the wagon seats.

Animal bones can be boiled and the juice used for soup broth, then ground to add calcium to the garden (necessary for tomatoes). Animal fat can be rendered and used as lard, or saved for soap.

Boiled, Cut off ends or leaves of veggies can also be used for broth. Afterwords, toss them into the mulch bin to replenish your garden soil.

Bottles filled with water will retain heat. They're a good passive solar item. Use them as warm windows in make shift shelters. Old bottles also make a good insulator between the floor and the ground if making a shed or small shelter.

Cob (clay, sand, and hay) will make a workable oven, wood stove, or hut. Thatching, or field plants, make a fine roof.

You can make quick bread from any edible seed. Mix with wood ash while dry, and add vinegar right before cooking. The combination of ash and vinegar (acid and alkaline) will cause the substance to bubble, or rise. This works well for a pancake type bread.

You can start a fire with the bottom of a broken glass bottle (or eyeglasses) like a magnifying glass. Focus the rays of the sun into a small dot over dry grass. It will start to smoke and turn to cinder. Add larger pieces to the grass until the fire is strong.

[tumblindice]

Gee, I dunno. You may be tasty but I doubt you’d be here if you were a dimmycrat.

A Fateful Journey

In the Colorado Rockies
Where the snow is deep and cold
And a man afoot can starve to death
Unless he’s brave and bold

Oh Alfred Packer
You’ll surely go to hell
While all the others starved to death
You dined a bit too well

— from The Ballad of Alfred Packer

Stand up yah voracious man-eatin’ sonofabitch and receive yir sintince. When yah came to Hinsdale County, there was siven Dimmycrats. But you, yah et five of ‘em, goddam yah. I sintince yah t’ be hanged by th’ neck ontil yer dead, dead, dead, as a warnin’ ag’in reducin’ th’ Dimmycratic populayshun of this county. Packer, you Republican cannibal, I would sintince ya ta hell but the statutes forbid it.

[JRandomFreeper]

Getting ready for a Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome OTOH: probably low to zero ROI.

Anyone that thinks serious preppers are getting ready for Thunderdome, asteroid strike, or Yellowstone going off has emotional issues with preppers.

Preparing for a complete collapse of government and infrastruction... as the 20th century taught anyone awake, is probably not a bad idea, that scenario has happened with disturbing regularity all around the world, and always caused by governments.

/johnny

[MissMagnolia]

Getting serious about prepping is overwhelming at first so this helps. Thanks!