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.
The people you plan on getting that food and water from have outthought you.
They have food, water AND guns and are ready to use them whe you show up.
A hunting dog is one thing I never hear about. I watch my dog hunt down in our meadow and I suspect that if we ever get into an SHTF scenario, the dog will be extremely valuable.
Dogs were built by God to hunt. I take their skills seriously.
Hmmmm...in an EMP event, or gasoline shortage, a horse just might have a little utility. Have fun pedaling your mountain bike.
When trash collection ceases, especially in an urban or suburban area, there will be two kinds of people: those with cats, and those with rats.
Of course dogs are early warning and protection, but smaller breeds can also do double duty as ratters, and if you live in a rural area and plan on hunting to supplement your subsistence, a hunting dog or two just might come in handy.
Everyone should also have a copy of this printed out:
http://www.humboldt.edu/~hsusnc/FM%2021-76%20US%20ARMY%20SURVIVAL%20MANUAL.pdf
Amen, Armedanddangerous...
Ammunition will be sought by everyone who has or gets a gun and who didn't set some aside. Ammo is probably one of the best barter commodities.
Salt might be the same. Candles, matches, needles, thread, fishing hooks, bleach, antiseptics, and even alkaline batteries will be in demand. If people are surviving in place, meaning that they don't have to leave their homes and stored goods, then even in my very rural area there will be many hundreds of families within five miles who would be quite willing to trade.
The biggest threat will be the "government" accusing preppers of hoarding and demanding that committees decide who gets the goods.
One of my biggest problems will be that I am on a well and can't store a great quantity of gas for the generator to run the well. In a real emergency the generator will be run for just minutes while water containers are refilled. But when the gas runs out, more will have to be obtained.
Agree with all of the items you mention as potential barter items. Saw one on a survivalist board awhile back which makes some sense......a few bottle of Jack Daniels.
Bookmark. Thanks for posting!
Rats = protein.
I would never let a cat or a terrier get first dibs on the juciest rats ;)
I’ve decided to put up beans - found this killer bean pot (buried fire recipe), dried and canned cheese and milk, rice, of course, oil, spices and corn wheat and flour. I already eat lots of mexican food and can live happily on bean and cheese burritos.
And also figure out a way to provide power to the water well pump.
I haven’t figured out why I feel the need to do this yet.
To a man they scoff at any of it, as if to prep is top be a loser, and to live for the day, like their peers, is to "WIN". A few even make the cocky and arrogant comment that when TSHTF, they'll just come over to my house, because they know I am a kook who plans ahead and has food stored up. They are taken aback when I tell them that anyone who tries to get into my house ininvited will water my lawn with their blood, and any females who live will be bartered away into sexual slavery for supplies and ammo.
I have lost a few fairweather friends because of this, but maybe in the long run it will snap them out of their apathy. The thing is, though I may like tyhem as friends, I have zero moral mandate to look after those who refuse to look after themselves. "Some Christian you are" one said, only to be informed that the Bible is not a suicide pact. God commands you to take care of your responsibilites, and if you refuse to do that, you'd best begin praying to the FEMA god.
“Baffled as to why, should one have to go survivalist, one would even waste the time and resources to maintain “pets”.”
They aren’t “pets” in a crash. Theft will become widespread. Can you keep someone in your family awake 24 hours a day? There’s a reason dogs and humans have hung together for millenia. They bark when someone gets in your garage at 3am. They will engage a burglar for the 20 seconds it takes you to wake up, orient, and get your gun.
And, as much as I dislike cats, rodent control becomes much more important when things fall apart.
” One of my biggest problems will be that I am on a well and can’t store a great quantity of gas for the generator to run the well. “
Old fashioned manual pumps can be found easily in antique stores and flea markets - and they’re easy to repair and refurbish....
(It might be worth a 6-pack to have the local plumber come over on a Sunday afternoon and show ya how to install it..)
When planning for SHTF scenarios, plan for worst-case: no electricity, phones, gasoline, services available.. And don’t plan on going-it-alone — kick things around with a small (emphasize ‘small’) group of trusted neighbors...
JMO, of course
If you're going to that length, it's easier to make a maggot farm...they're actually a purer source of protein than rats, are more hygenic and have medical value in debriding wounds. You also expend a lot less energy in procuring them than you would in catching a rat.
LOL, I forgout about Liddy’s long rants about eating rats as a kid.
However, I can stomach a rat much easier, since I’ve already eaten squirrel, snake, etc. Maggots make me gag on sight.
Well said.
Getting a large vicious dog is probably mistake #17 or 18. I have a little Pug that stays in the house. You absolutely cannot come on my property and get close to my house without her alerting me to that fact. That's all I need. She doesn't eat a lot and I have over a years worth of food for her.
As noted in Survial Blog small dogs have a lot in their favor.
1. The small dog (with regular walks) can live happily enough in an apartment. He'll provide a vocal deterrent to intruders, which is often encouragement enough to find a different target. Conversely, large dogs and apartments do not mix well...
2. Small dogs are easier to train than you think. The key to all canine interaction is establishing dominance. The smaller the dog, the easier this is.
3. The small dog will eat and drink next to nothing. This is clearly a massive pro if you're hitting the road after all hell breaks loose.
4. The small dog can be carried easily. In your backpack no less. Imagine your 60+ pound Doberman has gone lame after walking 20 miles on asphalt. Enough said...
5. In a world of guns and gangs it's foolish to think that an attack breed dog will even the odds. On the contrary, that scary dog is more likely to spark the firefight that will end your life.
“I would never let a cat or a terrier get first dibs on the juciest rats ;)”
I remember Dad hunting squirrels, which we ate. I guess they’re rodents, too. ick.
Agree with almost everything you said.....except for the part of bartering women into sexual slavery for supplies and ammo. That I could not do.
<If you have plenty of guns and ammo... food & water is easy to get !!!
I generally agree, but there is planning for Armageddon and planning for Snowmageddon. If weather prohibits you from getting out of the house or food delivery trucks from getting into town (as happened this past winter in the DC area), those boxes of bullets won’t help you as much as canned food will.
Food storage is good for folks in extreme weather locations, for the elderly who may not be able to get get as much as they’d like, for singles who may not have networks of friends who can help them in an emergency, and for when times get tight. Imagine being unemployed, but knowing that you have 6 months to a year of food saved. How much would that ease your mind?
/rant. No hard feelings intended. I just wanted to offer another perspective. Weapons are good too!
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