One of these:
And 15 of these:
What does that make me besides lucky?
I'm kidding.
Posted on 03/07/2009 10:48:43 PM PST by Kartographer
There has been a number of post about preparing yourself for what could be a dramatic economic and societal 'crash'. And I was wondering how many of you have just in the past year started 'preping'? How many have don it for years? How far are you into it?
I read a great post somewhere that there where three types of survivalist they discribed them something like:
Type 1: The Prep Survivalist- Regular people possible owns one or to guns strictly for home/person defense. And has prepared for himself and famliy to get by small disasters hurricanes, earthquakes,ice storms, tornados, and other small disruptions. Basical someone who has prepared enough that he can get along with minimal dependance on outside help for two weeks to a month.
Type 2: SHTF Survivalist- One step up they have done some extensive research, classes, member of or frequent visitor to survivialist blogs, boards and news groups. Most likely to own a number of guns, of which at least one is 'military' grade. Has extensive stores and well laid plans for evacuation and even possible a vaction place which doubles as a 'safe haven' should he needed it. Plans well enough that they could get along for months with little to no 'outside' in most disaster situations. This person not only plans for natural disasters, but for for goverment and economic collapse as well. Has a 'safe heaven' or possible a safe room. This person has not only prepared and stored supplies, but has planned to be able to replace such supplies (seed, garden, animals/chickens/goats.., reloading equipment and supplies) should there be a extended emergency. He most likely has little faith or disire to except help from the goverment in a disaster, but though distrustful of the government he is mostly a Patriot who believes even though the government looses its way a lot it is still the 'best game in town' and he will fight to protect it.
Type 3: TEOTWAWKI Survivalist- The third and most extreme type of Survivalist there is. These people not only believe that the S#!+ will hit the fan they almost pray for it! They believe that only through some armageddon like event can the world 'saved' and returned to the 'correct' path. they have extentsive stores which would last years, tens of guns and thousands of rounds of ammo and have extensive amounts of military grade gear (night vision, flack and bullet resistant wear...). They have or live in a 'hardened' abode a have extensivially trained in survivial and military techniques as well as skills which they deem useful in a Post apocalyptic world. This type of Survivalist total distrust any government and are prepared for everything from a squirrel frying the neighborhood transformer, to atomic war, to lizard men and zombies.
As for myself I'd say I was in between one and two. I am presently on my way to a well pack larder, i have a couple of good reliable home defense weapons (but nothing that would impress Rambo), added some security to my home (bars on some windows and reinforced the doors), planning a bit of a garden (but nothing you could live exclusively off of),some gear and plans should I have to live off grid for a bit, and no plans to advance my survivalist status.
I’ve been trying to convince Mrs. Frog that we need to do more preping, but not getting very far with that.
You could have “prepped” the spellchecker...but I digress.
It’s being called Doomsteading.
I’ve been doing some things ... stocking up on things, getting cash, etc.
Dithering about cashing out my IRA, but it may be too late now, should have done it 6 months ago.
Been stocking up on guns/ammo.
We are also planting a garden this year.
This is one of those threads, and I believe it contains links to some of the other threads.
You are right, but then ask me if I care? LOL No I should have caught it,my only excuse is that the wind he in Albuquerque today kicked up so much junk my sinuses are a mess and I am full of every decongestant know to man and I am still suffering. Thats why I am up so late can sleep when I can’t breath!
Lucky SOB: I'm stuck in the frozen tundra.
I dug a hole in my living room floor to hide food and ammo, but the people in the apartment below me got a bit aggravated. Stupid liberals.
My choice for maintaining preparedness comes more from an admiration of my grandfather... (But I have since realized that in today's world it becomes a more relevant choice.) Once, when I asked him if the Depression was as bad as it was shown on television, he looked at me and smiled slightly. His reply: "We didn't really know there was a "depression" until someone brought us a 6 month old newspaper."
My grandparents lived in a very rural area and were totally self reliant, with the exceptions of kerosene, sugar, and salt. No electricity. They didn't use money very often, but instead bartered with their neighbors for the three aforementioned items. I am much in the same position, only I have shelter, defensive, and communication capabilities that he would have never dreamed of (or found necessary.) He would probably just shake his head and say I had taken things to extremes.
Regards,
Raven6
While piling a years worth of food in the basement and getting defensive firearms is always a good idea it is not the solution to our current problem. Grassroots political activism is. We need to boot incumbent RINOs out in the primaries. That years worth of food will only last a year and where do you go from there.
Honestly, I’ve never really prepared for more than two weeks of an emergency before now. Today I just put up some shelves to help organize my rapidly accumulating stash:
Gardening equipment and seeds
3 months supply of food (this will be 15 months of food and cleaning supplies by the end of the month)
vehicles are about to be maintained and tuned up
canning supplies and about 100 jars (need lids)
money piling up for an “emergency shopping trip” (This is a list which I’ve compiled that can be filled in 24 hours and will be filled at the first sign of trouble. After this list is filled, we’ll be able to put together a small farm and should be able to live almost independently for up to 12 months... except for my son’s insulin)
have guns: need ammo
bought books on farming
started building first aid supplies and antibiotics
7 month supply of tobacco and tubes, then I quit. (The feds aren’t getting one DIME of my money if I can legally prevent it!)
If the collapse doesn’t happen for another two years, we’ll be cherry. We’ll have a well by that time and the farm will be running. (goats, bunnies and chickens!) :-)
As of right now, I don’t have any way around the water, electricity and insulin problem. Water will not be an issue for long, but the last two are insurmountable walls for us. We are stockpiling test strips and needles for my son, but the insulin itself is problematic.
For us, there is no downside to doing this. If things manage to stay afloat, then our grocery bill goes *way* down for about a year and we’ve got several thousand in the bank. Even if we spring for a well, it’ll save us money in the long run. We’re hunters and like to target shoot, so the ammo will never go to waste.
Win-win.
One of these:
And 15 of these:
What does that make me besides lucky?
I'm kidding.
Living way out in the country in SW Louisiana, you almost have to be a Type 1 or 2 being in hurricane alley. We’ve always maintained a good stock of dry and canned goods along with with plenty of water, gas, diesel, batteries and ammo. We recycle our supplies to keep em somewhat fresh and current. The spat of recent hurricanes have given us plenty of “real time and good hands-on” experiences that we’ve since capitalized on and improved our skills. We now could easily go for weeks without power, water, fuel etc. and we stay very well prepared. The last hurricane, we had to do hardly any prep for it at all other than to “batten down the hatches”. The only thing new for us under the rule of the Kenyan Usurper is a bigger garden, greater ammo reloading capabilities and a 12-gauge tactical shotgun added to the existing firearms mix. We figure the biggest problem is when the all those folks on the govt. teat go hungry due to economic collapse, they’re gonna come out here lookin’ for those that have something. When they show up, they’re gonna get “something” hot alright but it won’t be food.
Hey dude, we could use a couple of those Claymores....I’ve not seen any of those since Vietnam days....LOL. On second thought, we don’t need em. We’ve got something that will drive a tack up a gnat’s ass at 500 yards. They won’t even hear the shot that takes em out. Strictly speaking of deer, of course.
Currently type 1 but heading ever closer to type 2.
Yep. Been laying in the salt and sugar. flour and rice.
rotated out some canned goods that were close to expiring and replaced them.
Bought more canning jars and extra lids.
Bought extra heirloom seeds and put them in dry storage.
Guns and more ammo. always need/want more.
Stashed away extra batterys and lamp oil.
There is a lot of things that can be done that are inexpensive but practical. There is no better time to prepare for disaster than now.
Μολὼν λάβε
So, I hear you’re a fan of mine....
Agreed! But how do you think the RINOs got in, in the first place? They're a too-big portion of the party and our elected officials. They campaign as conservatives, even govern as such until they're in places like the senate, the house, or the cabinet, and then their true colors come out. So how do we keep them out?
You better believe it! A big fan.
Did you take a canning class or learn directly from someone? I don’t have a garden, but have access to a lot of Amish-grown veggies. It would be great to can them for the winter, but I am scared to death of killing myself, or winding up with exploded tomatoes all over the ceiling (death might be preferable).
There’s only 2 of us, so I’ve been making do with stockpiling commercially canned items as it’s not expensive, especially if you catch a sale. Should I rethink canning or is it not worth it in my situation?
And the trailer is pretty good too!
Favorite line is "cracked corn all around...."
Canning is especially good for two people. So many times the stores sell packages fit for one person, or four servings. but it is hard to get things with just two servings. The stuff is so expensive plus you are being charged for the packaging. Reusable canning jars are environmentally sound practice compared to the throwaways.
Local produce isn’t transported hundreds of miles.
Canned veggies from home grown sources is excellent quality and taste compared to the mass produced store bought stuff. Catch the farmers markets for fresh, in season produce and enjoy, while laying some back for later. don’t be ripped off by the supermarket selling in season items for 10 times what you would pay at the farmers market. And it supports local producers. Growing your own is even better but you have the investment of time, tillers etc. I think it is worth it.
Pint jars are good for two people. It is not hard to learn canning. My mother used to use a pressure cooker to cook vegetables. but they are not necessary. Just some deep pots.
There are many canning recipes. If you have access to Amish they always have cookbooks with canning recipes.
Once you buy the jars and rings, all you have to replace is the flat lids every year. auctions are a good place to buy canning jars. At least in my area (Missouri.
We use a roaster pan to make large amounts of apple butter and salsa. cook it down according to instructions. Crock pots for smaller quantitys. Nothing smells better than cooking apple butter! mmmm mmmmm
Heat the jars to sterilize them after washing and drying them.. We use a microwave to heat the glass jars in some cases. Put the hot cooked veggies or whatever into the hot jar. Put th lid on and screw the ring down. As they cool off the lids will make a pop sound. That means the lid has sealed. Some items require putting the sealed jars in boiling water for a specific amount of time too.
Canning isn’t hard to learn. There are many ways to process the food. But i have eaten green beans canned 10 years ago that were perfectly good. If the jars are kept in a cool dry dark place they could last several decades as long as the seal isn’t compromised by a rusted lid, freezing, or mishandling. Growing and canning your own food has a satisfaction no store bought food can bring you.
Thanks for the great post. I will have to think about it - I’m still scared. Maybe I can find someone at work who cans and we could do a batch together.
When you are talking about “heirloom seeds” are you buying survival seeds with an extremely long shelf-life ( and VERY expensive?) or are you just guying good quality seeds? And if the 2nd scenario is true, how do you store them?
Seed can be stored in closed containers like jars. Keep them dry and in a cool dark place.
Seeds found in pyramids from Egypt have been successfully germinated. Should indicate that seed is very easy to store, of any quality or quantity.
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