Preppers PING!!
Wouldn't that, by definition, make you a prepper?
Bkmk
Didn’t know there was Solar Panel Stoves and Washing Machines. Perhaps those are ok to have if Government shuts off our electricity.
The big conundrum is deciding what to prep for. One prep does not fit all. When watching the “Prepper” series on TV, I saw very extravagant prepping, such as massive stocks of food and supplies, that could be useless, depending on the problem/disaster. It looked like the majority of the preppers were living in God awful areas, mainly desert lands.
My idea of prepping is to have a reasonable bug-out bag. In addition, everyone should have a passport, just in case of a political disaster, or any that might require crossing an international boarder.
The first thing I tell new preppers to obtain is SKILLS! Start with basic first aid, then fire starting, then move on to general camping / boy scout skills. Then work on production skills (farming, knitting, rope making, metal working, etc).
On the equipment list, start with a good tent and sleeping bag. Other camping gear to follow so that you can spend at least 5 days in the woods/fields/desert on your own (with family). Then move to firearms and ammunition. From there move to equipment that can be used with no power and actually used to make something for trade.
On the food list, start with canning a few veggies, dehydrating some food, smoking, and freezing foods. Start working on a food storage plan and system.
On an aside, I also tell people to learn to speed read. Helps getting through the prepper books much faster.
The article references using a 5-gallon bucket for toilet needs and says to use a toilet seat or a couple of parallel boards on the bucket. Since neither of those is affixed to the bucket it can be tricky should the user lose his/her balance or have their ‘seat’ shift. A good alternative is to get a stackable plastic/resin chair like many people have in their backyards and cut a hole, then place the 5-gallon bucket underneath. Much more stable.
I found the rule of threes helped me focus.
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter (in harsh environments)
3 days without water
3 weeks without food
After some time it will wear down and only someone with electronic ability can replace it, so every few years check them....
My 2cents:
1. water purification: Bleach, iodine;
2. seeds for long term food production;
3. ammo & reloading supplies.
4. cash/(knowledge & equipment to make alcohol) to trade for anything else.
Never, EVER!, tell FEMA or anyone else that you have all you need and okay. It is better to avoid them. If “cornered”, one must lie. Or you, your supplies and the rest will be confiscated. I wish I had a site handy filled with advice from a man who has had to deal with this. It has been a while since I read his site. Also, there is info on the net how to hide your stuff in plain sight when you have little storage room or no where safe to bury it.
I have a washboard for laundry and a huge cauldron with tripod to heat water in for doing laundry over an open fire. A great find during my Ren fair days and having contact with blacksmiths. I also have cast-iron cookware. We live in the forest. Wood works well if you cannot use solar or wind power for heating.
Debbi
Easy way to start food storage: when you buy any food you use that has a shelf life (canned, dry) buy 4 or more (especially on sale). When you use up 2, buy 4 more. Always use the oldest first. Pretty soon you’ll have a pretty full pantry, and it will stay fresh because it’s stuff you really use.
b4l
I like to start any “Preps” with not having electricity and working from there.
ATMs will not work. Keep cash on hand.
Get a (Coleman) cook stove and start adding propane cylinders to your stock of canned goods - if you are not currently using gas. Gas and water will go later, after the electricity fails.
Put “Bugging-Out” far down on your list of priorities. “Hunkering-Down” should be your main concern, absent a tornado or hurricane or nuclear melt-down. The trick is to stay out of sight and not be part of the Bug-Out mass migration. UNLESS, you live in the city. GET OUT OF THE CITY NOW...
Guns and ammo
I have a generator, but I am now thinking that this would attract too much attention. Try to stock alternative means for light and heat. Kerosene lamps, firewood, blankets, hand-crank radio, glow-Sticks etc.
My first line bag of tested tricks..
I put these in a vacuum sealed bag and sent to each of my children.
Renegade Filter: FILTER LIFE 1 Million Gallons, weighs 3 ounces.
How to Eat a Pine Tree: google it..print it out.
Fish mox: NON-PRESCRIPTION and same USP grade antibiotics produced by pharmaceutical companies that also produce antibiotics for human use
We've all seen labels on regular foods decreased over the years and how the box sizes stay the same but the weight of the contents have decreased. As if a serving of breakfast cereal is 1/3 cup, really?!? Or a 3 lb tub of margarine is now 2.9 lbs and a 1 lb tub is as low as 12 oz.
I pointed out here long ago that a small tuna can that used to hold 7.5 oz is now only 5 oz and half that is water. A can of Walmart Starkist http://www.walmart.com/ip/Starkist-Chunk-Light-Tuna-In-Water-Pack-of-4/13398023#Item+Description drained would calculate to $6.98 lb. Not saying a can of tuna isn't good for storage but there are other much more wallet friendly options.
Over the last year or two we have had 2 cans of Dole pineapple blow their pull tab lids. They were in a open top case of 12 stored on a shelf in the rear with nothing stacked on top so the failure wasn't immediately apparent.
And we had several of the 10 oz. cans of Rotel tomatoes with chili peppers go off and start leaking.
Also, we have had a problems with Ronzoni pasta infected with weevils. Due to the infestation we have recently had to toss at least 30 pounds of Ronzoni.
As a precaution against infestation the pasta had all been stored in the freezer for a period of time when we first brought it home. But even after that the pasta developed live weevils.
That tells me that freezing didn't kill all the eggs or larva so we will have to alter or extend the freezing cycle in an effort to safeguard against future spoilage.
Only the Ronzoni brand has had this problem and we have 3 or four other brands stored together. So, needless to say, we have stopped buying Ronzoni.
the first several times we found some boxes infested we called Ronzoni. They would only send coupons for two replacement boxes. After the third time we gave up and just tossed the spoiled product.
Incidentally, the last boxes we discarded had a use-by date of 2016 so it isn't just old product that can be problematic.
I must suggest this book to all. It contains so much information that can be used in survival, or even home use, situations. I have reread it a number of times. Every thing from hog dressing, building a chimney, and even how to get the eyeballs out of a possum. An extremely valuable book.
The Foxfire Book: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Hunting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining, and Other Affairs of Plain Living
Available from Amazon
bkmk
On a semi-related note:
Can anyone tell me the difference between Sterno & chafing dish fuel (other than price) ?