Preppers Shall Inherit the Earth: Unconventional Times Require Unconventional Solutions *Micro Doc*

SHTFPlan.com ^ | September 11th, 2011 | Mac Slavo

[Errant]

This latest micro documentary from New America Now discusses the many problems facing modern day American society, namely the US Dollar, our country’s ever growing debt, rising prices and the crisis that will ensue as a result – and how you can survive and thrive.

[tiki]

Thanks for the link. I hadn’t thought about it until last week when I ordered 100 packets from ebay for my husband to use in his drip lines. He had been getting a solution in 55 gallon barrels that cost an arm and a leg and I suggested using the pool shock and it works great, is easier to handle and is much cheaper.

[driftdiver]

Not all pool shock has calcium hypochlorite as an ingredient. Also, don’t use any that has an algaecide in it.

[DNME]

Really, people ... how much do you count on your local store or supermarket to provide for your food needs?

So many things, little things, could go wrong that would disrupt the flow of supplies to that store. Diesel shortage, power outage, floods ... anything!

And without that store, where are you? What are you going to do when dinner time arrives and your pots are empty? (S.O.L. is the term I’ve always used.)

Plan ahead ... stockpile ... learn to produce ... DO SOMETHING! Disaster is just seconds away, maybe a few days if you’re lucky, then you are permanently and utterly SCREWED!

(By the way, don’t plan on stealing your neighbor’s food supply. He’s armed and just waiting for some nitwit to cross the line. Don’t be that nitwit!)

These are times of (relative) plenty so put some “fat” away for the lean times. And make no mistake, the lean times are coming! Civil war, natural disaster, economic collapse, OPEC getting uppity, Obummer winning a second term ... there are plenty of disasters ahead.

Think of it as the ultimate insurance policy. And it’s time to pay your premium!

[driftdiver]

First time in history where you are considered abnormal if you store extra food.

[tiki]

Yes, that is what I got, thank you. I was also thinking that for hygiene you could have a bucket in the kitchen and the bathroom with a pretty stout solution where you could just immerse your hands for disinfection instead of wasting a lot of water to wash.

[driftdiver]

The concept of using it for cleaning is something I’d agree with. However dipping your hands in a strong chlorine solution isn’t. There’s also a danger of having it around if you have young children or pets.

[Kartographer]

This is in my Preparedness Manual:
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 no 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.
309 THIS MANUAL MAY BE SOLD AT COST ONLY - AND IS NOT TO BE OFFERED FOR RESALE.
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

It should be clear to all that the world’s economy is on life support and the doctors are all ‘quacks’! Sooner or latter are the spinning plates are going to start to tumble and there is going to be on hell of a mess!

What kind of a mess you ask, well I think that we are in for something like the collapse of Argentina ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yerKMQc7-w&feature=grec_index )but on a global scale. Additionally I think we will see a much more violent version. As recent events show (Flash Mobs, UK riots, etc)we have a larger entitlement minded population and a the US has a much more violent and armed population than Argentina. I see many many small business wiped out by flash mob looting, and see rape, robbery and murder for murder sake. Many of these ‘yutes’ will think no more about killing you than most people think about stepping on a roach. That will be the test of many. Most preppers I know are Christian people and they will hesitate to do what they might have to do to stop the ‘yutes’. On the other hand the ‘yutes’ won’t think twice nor lose a minute of sleep, in fact they will smile and laugh about it.

Think of this quote which is one of my favorites:

“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Siege of AR-558 (#7.8)” (1998)
Quark: Let me tell you something about Hew-mons, Nephew. They’re a wonderful, friendly people, as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working. But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those same friendly, intelligent, wonderful people... will become as nasty and as violent as the most bloodthirsty Klingon. You don’t believe me? Look at those faces. Look in their eyes.

Now go look at some of the videos of the riots in the UK and of some of the flash mobs here in the US and look into there eyes.

For those who are just starting or are old hands at prepping you may find my Preparedness Manual helpfull. You can download it at:

http://www.tomeaker.com/kart/preparedness1i.pdf

For those of you who haven’t started already it’s time to prepare almost past time maybe. You needed to be stocking up on food guns, ammo, basic household supplies like soap, papergoods, cleaning supplies, good sturdy clothes including extra socks, underwear and extra shoes and boots, a extra couple changes of oil and filters for your car, tools, things you buy everyday start buying two and put one up.

As the LDS say “When the emergency is upon us the time for preparedness has past.”

Or as the bible says: A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
NIV Proverbs 22:3

Lastly this for the doubters and the scoffers.

“There is no greater disaster than to underestimate danger.

Underestimation can be fatal.”

[NTHockey]

Help with a dilemma, please.
1. Stockpiling food is great and I’m up to 30 days for two people. I’m preparing for GOOD, not defending the castle. I’m reading a lot about #10 can size foods and here’s the dilemma - how do you store what’s left in a large can?

2. Storing dry stuff (beans, rice, pasta, etc.) in mylar bags is a great idea. Dilemma - where can I find the mylar bags?

3. I want to stock up on Spam, Vienna sausage and DAK hams. Dilemma - wife won’t until last minute because we don’t normally eat that and/or it’s not healthy.

BTW, don’t overlook anchovies and sardines. Lots of Omega-3 and small packages. Buy the flat anchovies, not the rolled ones. Easier to use. Save the oil for cooking.

[Kartographer]

The food in #10 cans comes with a plastic lid to seal the can once its open and with just basic precautions the food should remain good for six months to a year after its open.

Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers can be purchased from any number of one line Preparedness Suppliers. I get mine from USA Emergency Supply:

https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/

But as I said you can get them from any number of places even E-Bay and I’ve recently seen a few goods buys on Amazon. You can always Google the using the Google Shopping.

Another way I and other store is by buying a vacuum sealer and a mason jar attachment. You place what you want to store (I dehydrate some of what I store myself)in the jar and then vacuum seal them the glass and the metal lid allow no oxygen or moisture to get in and are reusable. I also store my spices this way. With the powdery foods I place a paper coffee filter inside the jar after I fill it to keep what I am sealing inside and out of my sealer.

All of this and more is in my Preparedness Manual the link download it is in post #27.

[Errant]

how do you store what’s left in a large can?

Most foods (dry/freeze dried) in #10 cans will last at least 5 to 10 yrs. Most of these will remain unopened until you actually need them in an emergency. In that case, make sure you have the plastic lids that match the #10 cans. Aluminum foil and saran wrap can be used to reseal the cans or ziplock bags and tupperware in place of the open can. Freeze dried meats and meals will last 30 days or more once the cans have been opened and resealed with lids. Freeze dried vegetables and other items last as much as a year longer. You're likely to finish off a can in a few days if your food storage becomes your only source of food.

where can I find the mylar bags?

Mylar bags can be bought online at a number of sites that cater to survivalists. You're going to need to vacuum them or purge the air out using CO2 or Nitrogen. I prefer using vacuum food savers and bags available online or at your local big box store. When using these vacuum bags for storing rice, put the rice in a ziplock bag with one corner left open first. This will prevent the rice grains from puncturing the vacuum bag.

I want to stock up on Spam, Vienna sausage and DAK hams. Dilemma - wife won’t until last minute because we don’t normally eat that and/or it’s not healthy.

These are mostly guy foods. :) However, they can be used as substitutes for fresh meat in prepared foods. They also have long shelf lives and are relatively inexpensive. You might try experimenting with recipes you can find online. Seek your wife's input on dishes that sound inviting to her. Also, I'd recommend storing canned foods that she likes, like soups, pastas, stews and etc. These don't last as long but can be used daily/weekly and rotated out with new stock.

There are other canned meat options available at local groceries such as roast beef, corned beef, tuna, chicken, salmon and sardines as you mentioned. With a little imagination, these can be used to prepare meals that appeal to the finicky eater.

Don't worry too much about it. Hunger will make almost everything you have mouthwatering eventually.

[driftdiver]

Good answers. We’ve also stocked up on tunafish, canned chicken, canned chili, and soups as a way of storing protein.

Beans are also a good source of many proteins which are cheap and easy to store.

[AppyPappy]

More likely, their kids inherit a whole bunch of stuff which they’ll trash. Preppers should put a sign on their stash that says “If I die, sell this on FR”.

[mad_as_he$$]

bookmark

[Kartographer]

Mylar Bags do not ‘breath’ where as even vacuum saver bags eventually allow oxygen in. I neither vacuum or purge with CO2 my Mylar bags I simply pack them as tight as I can then squeeze as much air and throw in oxygen absorbers to take out the remainder of the oxygen in the bag. What's left is just inert gases basically the nitrogen and CO2 gasses that are often used when sealing long term food. As I said all #10 cans I have purchase come with a plastic lid to reseal the can and infact most sellers of these cans offer extra lids for sell.

[bgill]

Anyone else get the feeling we’re rushing headlong into a world war? This time, it’s not going to be “over there” but over here on our home land. Just in time for Hussein to play the dictator card.

Roof top goats? I used to have a few goats and they stink big time. Somehow more comes out the back end than goes in the front end and it’s constant because there’s not a turn off switch for the back end.

[Errant]

Mylar Bags do not ‘breath’ where as even vacuum saver bags eventually allow oxygen in.

I've read that but haven't found it to be a problem. I rotate out beans/rice/cornmeal/peas/instant potatoes/powdered milk/etc. What I use for cooking now, I vacuum packed 2-3 years ago. They're still holding their vacuum and I haven't noticed the slightest decrease in freshness, quality, cooking length or taste. I hope to build up to a five year supply/rotation.

These items (cornmeal, black-eye peas, elbow macaroni) below were vacuum packed in august of '09 and are still holding the same vacuum as when packed.

[Errant]

Absolutely, I have a feeling it’s going to be Biblical.

[Errant]

A staple of mine is corned beef and rice.

It's simple to make. Break up 1 can of corned beef in a medium size pan, add 1/2 chopped onion or 1 - 2 tablespoons of dried onion flakes and a little black pepper. Add about 1/3 cup of water and simmer until onions are translucent and serve over rice with cornbread, french fries, or boiled cabbage as a side dish - feeds 2 - 3.

[ronnyquest]

That is an interesting article with some frightening implications.

[JDW11235]

Agreed on all points, except the survival rate. I don’t pretend to know what it will be, but I think people have an amazing capacity to survive. The biggest concern (not a fear, really), that I have is those who will attempt to move to tribes and feudalism, like in “The Postman.” A charismatic person has many times in history led people to do very bad things.