Survivalist, anyone stocking up?

[RufusEarl]

I started a couple of months ago. Here's a short list: Food canned goods anything that doesn't require cooking, water, ammo @ 600 rounds per weapon. This is about a six months supply, and just in case someone or something steps up and puts a stop to all the craziness. I'll be able to use all the food goods i've stored.

I really never thought i would be thinking about this in my lifetime, let alone doing it. But something tells me it better to be prepared, then to trust these damn fools.

[megatherium]

1. Are you prepared for losing access to DU when the net goes down? nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Yes, have your local network in place

know who can repair things, etc. Know who has the pirate radio station and who has a short wave radio. Never hurts to know.

[megatherium]

20. I've thought about getting into ham radio. I gather they

send and receive messages in digital form, including images. At any rate, in the proverbial actual emergency, the first thing that happens is the cell networks go down, along with land lines. So it's up to the ham radio operators to manage emergency communications.

[RufusEarl]

6. Sorry to say NO

I'm not a computer whiz, so i'll be one of the first off line sorry to say.

[skids]

34. Don't worry.

Just buy a few extra weapons for trade. One of us computer geeks who procrastinate too much and never get to it will gladly hook you back up online for a bit of protection.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Been doing this for quite a while

the food part, I mean. Got a fair stockpile of canned goods-you can also get food in pouches that don't even have to be heated-less space to store, and we go to a salvage store and get them at a fraction of the cost.

I'm not saying anything about weaponry. Hi, Agent Mike!

[IsItJustMe]

7. LOL LOL Thats good.

[SnoopDog]

4. What kind of canned goods are you storing and

how are you storing water. And what kind of guns do you have?

[RufusEarl]

8. Supplies

Normal can goods, stuff you would buy at Sam's. I have water in 1 gal jugs, and firearms 1 38Cal hand gun, 1 25Cal hand gun, 1 20ga mossberg shotgun.

If you have suggestions i'm all ears.

[SnoopDog]

12. Thanks....

I have no suggestions - I need to get going on this too so I was asking to learn what to do.

[NoFederales]

22. A good used blackpowder .50caliber is handy for hunting, plus

you could make your own powder if you had to do so.

NoFederales

[tsuki]

23. Bleach. Tablet form is good.

[formernaderite]

27. Yes....chlorine tabs... swimming pool suppliers have them

you can get pure shock tablets...very concentrated so no one should think these are like household bleach. You can disenfect a normal sized well with about 1lb of 68% shock treatment. Unstabilized chlorine shock, will evaporate within two weeks.
I've always stock piled a bit...and canned myself. Good source, of info is a magazine (a bit libertarian in content) called Backwoodhome.com....great information on living off the grid.

[tsuki]

29. Foxfire books from the sixties are good also. I have the first six. n/t

[Warpy]

5. If things get that bad, I don't intend to survive

and I'll be perfectly happy to leave the world to men who think hoarding food and shooting each other over it is the answer to everything.

[RufusEarl]

11. I don't disagree with you

If it's a nuclear attack, i want to catch the first bomb. If it's government take over, i want to fight the bastards.

[sui generis]

9. by accident

I bought a twelve pack of toilet paper three weekends in a row. Stocking up for the great toilet paper famine of 2006.

One can never have enough.

The aliens are already here. And we're allergic to canned food. :tinfoilhat:

Fresh humans only, and there are plenty of those around. ;)

************
actually I do keep emergency stocks of stuff - but few canned goods. Rice, beans, jerky, dried fruit (which I rotate by eating), dry goods, plus I have a hand cranked water filtration unit with iodine pills for water and anti-protozoans and anti-biotics, hand powered flashlights, etc. Travelin' stuff, not sittin' at home stuff.

[NoFederales]

21. A few drops of household bleach will disinfect water and is much cheaper

NoFederales

[Quakerfriend]

26. Do you boil it after putting the bleach in??

[sui generis]

37. bleach does nothing for particulate contamination

or many protozoans (amoebic dysintery anyone?), nor for schists and other microscopic forms of intestinal parasites.

A good filter with replaceable cartridges is a good thing to have (not a Brita!), but an actual camping filter - about the size of a small soup can with a crank and two hoses.

Boiling is the best advice (bleach won't make any difference if boiling) but it won't do anything about heavy metals and chemical contamination.

[Delphinus]

25. TP & bottled water ...

I stocked up enough on both of those at Y2K that I didn't need to purchase any water for a year. The TP may have lasted even longer!

[IsItJustMe]

10. If it comes down to that, frick it. I'll be singing: It's the end of

world as I know it, and I feel fine.

[SpiralHawk]

13. I'm stocking up on pretzels

They work against Repulicon Dominionist Christofascist Chickenhawk goons the way kryptonite works on stuporman

[tanyev]

16. Big, chunky, Bavarian pretzels!

:toast:

[movonne]

14. Yes, I have got a stock of items, mainly because before I moved

to Oregon I lived in Ca. and had earthquake supplies..and living on the coast of Or. now have tsunami (and or for any other reasons) supplies. I have not yet got a gun and really have a problem getting one, but this might be a necessity.

[RufusEarl]

15. I was in Oregon

This time last year, Have friends in Seal Rock. Do you know this town?

[sandnsea]

33. I know Seal Rock

The town isn't much but I love that rocky basalt stretch of coast right there. Very peaceful and undeveloped too. I think last March was rather warm if I recall; did you have some sunny days, or was it all wind and rain??

[RufusEarl]

36. Oregon

This is a great stretch of coast, and we were very lucky with the weather. Blue skies the whole time we were there, it is truly beautiful. it would be my preferred local to live, but i'm dug in here so here i'll stay.

[Greyhound]

35. Don't get a gun, unless you are 100% positive you would use it if

it becomes necessary. Otherwise, it won't be your gun for long and you're likely to be it's first victim.

[pocket]

17. .

.

[quisp]

18. here's a bit of unsolicited advice...

it might not be the best idea to go telling people what kinda heat you're packing, if you know what I mean.

Because knowing what you're up against is (more than) half the battle.

My wife knows where the shootin' irons are, but she's the only one and I like it that way.

[ThoughtCriminal]

19. We have a emegency stash

plastic bins. Enough to deal with getting snowed in, but not cope with biblical scale apocolypse. Coping with power outage is another thing we think about - We have gas heat, but it's a forced air furnace so if the power goes, we lose it. We just had a big snow storm and the lights blinked out a couple of times, but fortunately, no pwer loss. We do have a wood stove that would help a little and I keep a supply of chemical hand and foot warmers in the house and vehicles.

[sendero]

24. Yes..

.... I have an extensive stock of everything :) Here are some basic concepts for those who are thinking about it:

1) only stock foods you will actuallly eat - because they all have a finite lifespan. eat the oldest stuff, rotate in new stuff

2) water - a critical need. store a lot if you don't have a source outside. bleach is a cheap way of making almost any water potable

3) definitely have a supply of first-aid stuff, bandages, antibiotic ointments, aspirin, tylenol, pepto-bismol, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol - stuff like that

[MissMarple]

28. We can always go a couple of weeks with out going to the store.

We used to live in the country waaay out of town in the mountains. Old habits tend to stick around. One never knows when a big snow storm will make the roads a bit too difficult to run out for a loaf of bread. :)

[Javaman]

41. But what happens after a few weeks and there are still no stores? nt

[Bosso 63]

30. water, food, firearms. . . . . .

What about alcohol? You know, in case of snake bites or something.

[funkybutt]

31. I have MREs leftover from post-Katrina

Maybe a week or so's worth. Those things are supposed to be good for a really long time but they don't have expiration dates. If they're good for years, like they say, wouldnt it be good to already have a stock of them as a municpality.

But before this, I'd have the 3 days that is recommended during hurricane seasons. Plenty of canned goods, dry, and frozen goods. I never thought I'd be stockpiling food and water.

[TankLV]

32. I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it.

The urgency is not there yet - but I have to agree - been thinking about what I would do in the proper circumstances.

Sad how low we've sunk as a nation...

[CabalPowered]

38. I picked up a bunch of 5# cans of freeze dried that was on sale

for dirt cheap. Actually, the stuff makes for a great, cheap lunch. As far as use in an emergency situation, I don't anticipate that being a necessity for awhile. The rest of the stuff I have on hand in some quantity, as I do a lot of backpacking in the summer. As far as contingency planning, if it comes to it, I don't intend to stay anywhere near a population. I'll be squatting on some Forest Service land. If things start turning real nasty, I'll probably start a cache or two in a couple of places that I've got scoped out.

[RebelOne]

39. This sounds to me like pre-Y2K panic.

What exactly are we supposed to be stocking up for?

[Javaman]

42. The total collapse of civilization, silly.

you see, on the extreme right, they run around screaming about the rapture. Their version of the end of everything and everyone as we know it. But as we all know, they won't need a thing because they get the express train to heaven...whatever.

on the left, you have the civilization will collapse and anarchy will rule road warrior group. So they prepare by hording all sorts of dry foods and bullets.

Birds of a feather and all that, don't you know.

However, very few realize that in order to really survive, you actually have to have skills, know how to live lean, make something from nothing and most of all know how to trade and form a community.

If our study of prehistoric times teaches us anything, it's this: in order to survive, you have to be in a group and form a community. Period.

Doing the lone wolf thing is fine and dandy, but unless you are a real life grizzly adams, you will most certainly die.

If you ever have the need wish or desire, when put in to an awful situation, to survive; learn how to jar foods, grow your own crops, learn a skill that can be bartered with and most of all make friends and contacts. Practical things that really leads to survival.

but you know, what do I know. I'm just a guy that looks how reality really works.

[Javaman]

40. Surviving isn't about stocking up on food or buying bullets...

it's about learning the techniques and tools you will need to survive.

So when the can food runs out, then what? Do you know how to grow your own? Then jar it? Do you know how to create a solar stove when you can't find firewood? Do you know how to capture water when there is no rain?

These are the things you need to know. Holding up in a house and trying to shoot anyone that comes near you won't do anyone a bit of good.

The reality is this: when the shit hits the fan: economy collapses, oil goes through the roof, etc. What ever it will take for the nation to go through a truly horrible time, you sitting in your house while the rest of civilization finds it's way around will do no one any good. when your stuff runs out and it will, what do you do then?

The real option is to have the skills mentioned above to survive long term.

What is really needed to survive is a water reclamation system. A basic system by which to trade things. aka skills for food or tools. The ability to know basic wood work, electricity and irrigation.

This is what survival is all about. it's about sharing and establishing a community. being dependant on oneself for the long haul is only going to get you dead. being dependant as a group, your chances of survival are greatly increased.

[sendero]

44. Actually..

... it's both having enough food/water/etc to get by for a while, and THEN having the skills to create your own that are required.

All the seeds and know-how in the world won't feed you while you are waiting for something to harvest.

[NoFederales]

45. Great summary; and we will still NEED each other, share skills, etc

A strong group provides great stability and eases labors. Learn how to raise small livestock and grow natural foodstocks for family and livestock use. Start keeping bees--that shitty white granulated stuff is too nasty and addictive anyway. A "communal" self-sufficiency based on skills people have or are willing to learn is a great path to interdependence.

NoFederales

[Javaman]

47. You are exactly right.

The one thing that gets me about the survivalists, is that they are all preparing for the worst, stocking up, buying bullets, but do they do a single thing, right this moment to perhaps soften the effects?

Like getting to know their neighbors? plant a garden now? learn about reclaiming water? figure out how to make a solar stove?

Get my point? They strike me like they are actually looking forward to the end.

Hell, I don't want it to happen but if it does, I'm prepared with the skills and infrastructure to rebuild, not shut down and hold up.

by the way, I just got a very small plot of land and am actively starting a very small apiary. I always wanted one. :) love those little guys.

[SteppingRazor]

48. Until those people with guns and canned food run out of cans...

and raid you for everything you have at the point of a gun.

I agree with both you AND the OP. As you more or less said, knowledge is power. But without any of society's protections such as police and national guard, that knowledge will do you little good when people with guns show up and take away everything you've worked for. I think you need a sensible combination of both knowledge AND a healthy stockpile of necessities, including the aforementioned canned food and guns and ammo.

Of course, all of this presupposes a societal collapse, which I hardly think is likely.

[schmuls]

43. Along these lines, does anyone know how long cat food in cans lasts?

I haven't been able to find any expiration dates. Want to stock up on cat food so I know they will be fed, at least!

[Javaman]

46. Society or our civilization will not go out with a bang...

but with a whimper. If there is a giant ka-boom somewhere in the middle of the night, most of our society will continue as normal for several weeks, then it will be really hard to get gas.

Food prices at the stores will start creeping up after about a month.

At about a month into this, the U.S. Gov't will institute several drastic measures to control the situation. In several cities there will be mandatory rationing of goods, supplies and food and water. To little to late, actually.

The majority of the people will start defaulting on various payments and bills in about 2 months. Because, either their service sector job has laid them off or they have to use their money, that they would use for bills, for food.

The black market will be doing a bonanza business.

Several major corporations will layoff huge amounts of people to try and sure up there failing cash flow. Those that invested in Euro's will do a little better but not much.

At this point, electricity will be intermittent and heating/cooking gas will either be none existent or very hard and expensive to get.

People that have had to travel long distances to their jobs will either quit, be fired or take what little of mass transit that is available to them.

A mass migration will happen. People will begin trying to move closer to their jobs, thus creating a crowded mass.

However, unable to sell their 20 mile + commute mc-mansions, they will default on their mortgages and go bankrupt. Congress will step in and over turn the new bankruptcy law due to the overwhelming demand. The credit card industry will collapse. Many people in that industry will loose their jobs.

While all this is going on, people by and large will try and maintain a respect for law, but that will slowly degrade as things become harder and harder to get, find or buy. People will little to no coping skills will be at a giant loss. Crime in most inner cities will skyrocket.

At about 6 months, the water delivery system will be "boil safe" at best.

Water riots will occur.

A general order by the military will be issued. It's not marshall law but it's close to it.

While all this is going on over here, there will be an international effort to help stave off the total collapse of the economy. But because much of the worlds commerce is done on the U.S. dollar, they (our worldly neighbors) will be trying to save their own skins as well.

Now the rush on the banks will begin, but the gov't anticipated this and had them closed via a bank holiday. (read about the depression on that one)

The various nations that hold huge amounts of our money in the form of T-bills will start calling them in as our inflation grows wildly. As they dump them and demand payment, our dollar won't be worth a red cent.

Now we have a society that has effectively ground to a halt. What to do?

If you are one of the fat happy users of our society that really didn't contribute much other than paper pushing, watching fox, gorging yourself on crap, buying yourself all kinds of crap thus have enormous debt and has not foreseen this coming, well you are finished.

If you are one of the survivalist road warrior types, you would have hold up in your mountain, basement, fallout shelter retreat by now and are very low on supplies. That is of course if you were actually able to keep your weapons after the gov't imposed a mandatory turn in of all fire arms. And anyone caught carrying one would be shot on sight. (naaaa, never happen, keep telling yourself that)

After which, those of you that actually made preparations, meaning, had solar panels installed, (even a small array would be a big step), or had a wind turbine, or a thermal heating source, or perhaps you had only time for a water reclamation system, you are already ahead of the game. While your road warrior neighbor ventures out of their bomb shelter, all pasty white and probably with a mild case of scurvy, he or she are going to be hungry and out of food, you will have at least been able to barter your electricity, water or heat to the others who didn't go "underground" for food. Sure you may have lost a bit of weight, but you are healthy from riding your bike to where you need to go and strong from working in a community farm that was converted from an old golf course. You, along with your community, were working hard to maintain life and have organized a local action group to deal with emergencies.

People are crazy. Everyone sees the end coming, where society will collapse and everyone is totally fucked. I see it as a new beginning to get it right. Yes, millions of people will probably die in such a scenario, but nature has a way of telling us to cut the shit in very big ways. Nature has a short temper.

So while those of you, who wish to do the burly man thing and live off of deer jerky and clog up your colon, I and my neighbors will be pooping fine while we eat our veggies and caring for our grass fed cows and working towards a new civilization rather than giving up on it. :)

Granted, it's impossible for me to include all the varibles in this situation, but I think I got a small part of it right.

My two cents. :) Let the flaming begin!