You don't want to reach for food, only to see that it is bad. I have some MRE's, but overwhelmingly prefer Mountain House and Provident Pantry.
Posted on 07/16/2010 11:33:58 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA
1. Following the wrong advice: Many new survivalist become fixated upon the advice given by others. They read the latest preparedness book or blog post and automatically assume the advice given is best them, without considering their individual needs, skill level or location. In order to be self-reliant you need to learn to think for yourself.
2. Not eating what they store: Many new survivalist fill their pantry with unfamiliar foods, thinking they will adapt their diet “when the time comes” this is nonsense. You need to learn how to prepare and use these foods now, so they become a familiar staple.
3. Relying only on their food storage: Many new survivalist think once they have their one year supply of survival foods, that’s the end. Don’t get me wrong, having a deep larder is important, just don’t overlook the possibility of needing to replenish your supplies, and obtaining the skills and resources needed to do that.
4. Not storing enough salt: Many new survivalist fail to store this staple in the quantities needed. Don’t discount the importance of salt. I suggest at least ten pounds of iodized salt per person as a minimum.
5. Building an arsenal: I see this all the time. Many new survivalist spend thousands on weapons and related gear, yet have only a two-week supply food and no water filter. This is stupid. I love guns and gear as much as the next person – but I know food and water are more important to my survival. Sure; we need weapons to protect what we’ve put away, just don’t neglect the other stuff.
6. Relying on bugging out: I’m not a fan of the “grab a bug out bag and head for the hills survival strategy”. In most cases you’re better off staying where you are. Having a bug out bag is a good idea, just don’t make bugging out your only plan or first priority.
7. To much stuff not enough skill: Many new survivalist believe they can be saved though buying. This fantasy has been promoted by self-serving survival gurus for years to fill their pockets with cash. Sure supplies are useful and some are needed – just don’t become dependent on stuff instead develop your skills.
8. Storing only one type of food: More than a few new survivalist have made this mistake. I can’t remember exactly where I read it, I think it was on another survival blog – but the author suggested his readers store hundreds of pounds of wheat and nothing else. While wheat is the backbone of my food storage, storing only one type of food, no matter how versatile is foolish.
9. Not taking care of pet needs: Many new survivalist fail to consider the needs of their pets. If you have pets you must plan for their needs by laying back the necessary supplies to keep them fed and healthy.
Everything on this list:
100 items that disappear first in a Disaster.
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/INFO_Files/100.items.html
This along with a lot more useful information is in my Preparedness manual which can be downloaded at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?tyoktknynnl
You might make a further note to self: learn to spell sarcasm.
How?
Agree on barter. A box of cheap foreign military sidearms like the 9mm Astra or similar and compatible ammo seems to me like the thing for barter since barter is based on scarcity, utility and value per pound. I think ammo is overrated because it won’t really be consumed much unless the squirrels are on the menu.
As for food, I think its all in the calories. If your stored food doesn’t have the calories as well as being edible, its a waste. Call me a fool but I think MRE’s give you the biggest bang for the cubic inch. I have lots and eat them regularly not only to rotate the stock but because they are good. And, at 3000 calories per MRE, one could eat two a week to survive in a dormant state or one every other day on the move. 10 cases of MRE’s costs about $600 and they will last for ???? I’ve eaten five year old MRE’s and you can’t see any aging.
Finally, everyone should have an off road capable DIESEL vehicle. There will be endless supplies of diesel in dead rigs and heating oil tanks. Gasoline? None. I have diesel truck that is direct injection requiring nothing to run other than fuel oil and a couple of rotations of the motor, a nice long hose and a battery operated pump.
marker
Oh, and I am all over the Bear Spray. Call me old fashioned, but I don’t think every troublemaker deserves a load of 00 from my shotgun. The Forest Service says the Bear Spray will discourage a bear on the run so I’ve added several cans to my self defense arsenal. I have to remember to look up whether the one in my truck console requires a CC permit????
Please don't assume I follow what I quote. For example, I often cite the idiocies of Lefties, but I am not in the left myself.
Do you follow that verse or what?
” List of things for barter as a new currency....feel free to add to it:
TP
Ammo
Salt
Honey
Jack Daniels “
CHOCOLATE!!!!
I also now keep a permanent marker in my pantry and as I store things, I re-mark the expiration date on the product so it's more visible and easier to find and read later. Makes it much easier to inventory when I can find dates without glasses and the more noticable dates will catch my attention quicker (easier to notice in passing that those cans of beans need eaten soon).
Troll. Enjoy your cave.
“Motorcycle gangs will be the most dangerous and effect looters/pillagers during any prolong SHTF event.
Do not discount the Bloods, Crips, MS-13, etc. They have vehicles too. And probably better firepower.”
...good point...if we look at the LA Riots and Katrina examples, the first looters were individual free lancers...in a prolonged SHTF event, I expect that crimnal gangs like Bloods and Hells Angels will begin to dominate...they already have the weaponry and organization in place...they will be like the 14th century Mongol hordes...isolated survivors will be easy pickings for them...they will avoid fortified villages of well armed citizens.
One thing not on that list which should probably be at the top is Quikclot. In a true emergency situation, hospitals will be overwhelmed and you will probably need to perform your own triage.
A bad bleed which is easily treated now could easily lead to death then. IMO, not enough thought is given to medical supplies. One could have a years worth of food and water, but if they get a bad cut, it could be game over.
Food for thought.
My prepping has been a great benefit for our food donations. Our church collects once a month, and that’s when I go through the list to see what needs used soon. We usually donate what needs used, then replace it with new. It’s kind of a built in good deeds system, I guess.
“IMO, not enough thought is given to medical supplies.”
....absolutely....when I see my primary care physician next week I want to have a serious talk with him about getting some anti-biotics....for everything from an infected tooth to gunshot woulds...I think my doc will help me on this....he just ordered 3000 rounds of .45acp; so he’s thinking ahead too.
If the SHTF I will have 1400 gallons of fresh water available immediately. After that it will take about a hour of generator time to refill it.
I purchased plastic 50 gallon drums that once contained hydraulic fluid to float my dock. I kept a couple of these to hold gas for the generator so I should be able to have fresh water for many years. I also live beside a 100 acre lake so there are a few more gallons of water available.
Speaking of which, for rainwater, a 45x25 foot pool cover stretched between three trees and a cement block in the middle will fill a 50 gallon can with water in a three minute rain without all the debris that comes with using roof drains.
And, that same pool cover if hauled up 20 feet into a tree and hung at an angle provides a shelter with all day shade and no bugs.
I guess what I am saying is that I save those “throw away” reinforced pool covers for the SHTF day.
I certainly agree with the shelf life issue. You are right there. But the calories are not there. That Mountain House is for a lady on a diet. The beef stroganoff which one would expect to provide a lot of energy has less calories in a whole #10 can than a single MRE. 10 servings still has less than a single MRE.
Probably real good stuff, but not for survival, I wouldn’t think.
IMHO, one can live on far fewer calories than is commonly assumed. The notion that one needs 2000+ calories a day sitting at a computer is absurd IMO.
http://www.inch-aweigh.com/dcn.php
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.