The One-Hour Meltdown

How to Survive Hard Times ^ | July 22, 2009 | Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.

[snowrip]

Agreed. My BO kit stays in the car, always.

We have a place way out in the woods in northern ME as a rally point. My longer-term gear is always ready to go; all of it can be loaded into my SUV in about four minutes. This would include most of my food, which is pre-loaded into heavy-duty containers and a cartop box, and about 5K rounds of ammo.

[snowrip]

It sounds like you’re ahead of most of the rest of the world. Don’t forget water/water purification. Pick up some more ammo, and spend an afternoon or two at a range (or a gravel pit) to get reaquainted with your guns.

You’re right... the new money will be guns and ammunition, booze, soap, and toilet paper.

[Noumenon]

Good deal, good thinking. Make sure that you've got season-appropriate clothing and above all, a good pair of season-appropriate broken-in boots in that kit.

[goat granny]

I am glad hurricanes are something I don't have to worry about, just tornado's. I have started putting up canned goods but you reminded me to also put up dog food for my lab, thanks... I found that Wal mart has a better date on their canned goods than Krogers...I guess they sell more at Wal Mart...what I buy there has a date of 2011 or 2012 and Krogers its 2010. Just have to remember to rotate the food stock....and lots of toilet paper...The sporting stores have a little collapsible toilet seat that you use bags with...the chemical ones need chemicals to maintain them...We use to use the collapsible one’s when all the kids were small and we use to rough camp without facilities...

[goat granny]

Where would one find water purification stuff...I have my own well and talked with another freeper about getting a hand pump for it in case of no electricity...they said it could be done, but haven't researched it yet...that would take care of water if I can do that, but having a purification set up would be a good back up plan..

I would never barter away my booze, but might ammo and toilet paper....:O)

[rejoicing]

Absolutely right!

[bgill]

My kids don't take it too serious, but I do with this nitwit president we have...and the middle east with nukes...

What you said.

[Holen1]

Reading this article and a subsequent visit to the author's website made me go to Bass Pro for some more ammo. If anyone is interested, they have 223 Rem on sale. 20 cartridges for less than 10 bucks.

[Ellendra]

An hour seems to me a bit fast, a day or two might to me seem more likely, but no matter what, it comes down to the same thing:

I'd guess the timing would depend on the area. Inner-city Chicago might take 10 minutes, "Insert Store Owner's Name"'s Market in rural hickville might last 2-3 days. Longer if they have a regular farmer's market already and if it's far enough off the main drag.

The area where my land is would probably do quite well, I just need to work more on getting a house built there. Or at least a root cellar and latrine. Those are on my list for this summer.

[Ellendra]

You’re right... the new money will be guns and ammunition, booze, soap, and toilet paper.

Booze and soap are easier to make than those other 3. Although I'm looking for a good gunsmithing book or class.

People tend to feed their addictions more when under stress. It's not prudent, but it's true. So: alcohol, tobacco, and junk food. I'm developing the means to make all three. Still haven't found a local source for salt, but there are substitutes I can make.

[Ellendra]

Any advice on those collapsible toilets? I just got one for use on my land but haven’t tried it yet.

In addition to tp, I’d suggest a few plastic spray bottles. With a little practice, you can use them to wash the “stuff” off, then just use a little tp to dry off. Sort of a low-tech bidet. Makes the tp go farther when the stores run out. Eventually, you could use cloth to dry with and just wash the cloth in REALLY hot water afterward.

[Kartographer]

“If anyone is interested, they have 223 Rem on sale. 20 cartridges for less than 10 bucks.”

WOW! And people wonder why I brough an AK74. 2160 rounds for around $200 deliveried.

[Windflier]

"Therefore, all government offices will also be immediately shut down, and they will empty their buildings and lock their doors."

Not a chance. The nobles never give up power voluntarily.

When the SHTF, all bets will be off, and a new paradigm will rise. This has happened many times throughout history, and when it does, the nobles high tail it out of Dodge just as fast as they can. Ordinarily, most of them do not survive the fall of their regime.

If things fell apart here, many of them would survive the fall, but they'd be virtual prisoners in their labyrinthine bunkers.

Do you really think our government think tanks didn't consider the possibility of widespread social breakdown when they built the underground bunkers for our elected reps? They're not just for nuclear attack, my friend.

[Windflier]

If you live in a Blue Zone City, that might happen. Away from the mega centers, it will not be Armageddon

Fortunately, we live in a semi-rural area a long way from even the suburbs. The local urban areas are even further from us.

If the The One-Hour Meltdown occurs, we'll be better off than folks further in, mostly because folks out my way would take out any marauders on sight.

[Windflier]

Reading this article and a subsequent visit to the author's website made me go to Bass Pro for some more ammo.

That is one area where I'm seriously deficient. I've really got to handle that.

[Windflier]

...so many live in a state of denial...

I've noticed. A couple of them have already expressed their disbelief on this thread.

[OwenKellogg]

“223 Rem on sale. 20 cartridges for less than 10 bucks”

$6.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods

[Holen1]

LOL. Guess I have a lot to learn. Thought I was getting a good deal. Don’t have an AK though so I guess it is what it is.

[Holen1]

Cool. I have one of those near by.

[GOPJ]

I did have my son's gold coin collection in the box, but he moved and has a large safe in his home for his collection.

Granny - you've done a disservice to your son... It's not that hard to figure out who you are - and then who he is... If you know someone with gold in their home - might be best to keep it to yourself.