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 veneer of civilization is thin”
I have the following and I quote it in my manual:
“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Siege of AR-558 (#7.8)” (1998)
Quark: Let me tell you something about Hew-mons, Nephew. They’re a wonderful, friendly people, as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working. But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those same friendly, intelligent, wonderful people... will become as nasty and as violent as the most bloodthirsty Klingon. You don’t believe me? Look at those faces. Look in their eyes.
Could you add me to the list please?
By the bye - all of us ‘packrats’ will be rewarded in the SHTF ‘hereafter’ - if we have a goodly assortment of nuts and bolts and nails and scrap metal and wood and pipe and wire and miscellaneous parts (the piles of stuff in the back of the shed that we keep promising the better half we’ll do something about), there’s no limit to what can be improvised and/or repaired in a pinch....
In the same vein - hand tools are a necessity... If electricity fails, all of those fancy SKIL and Black&Decker and Ryobi tools will only be good for canibalizing for parts...
Spend it on a good AR-10/M-1A W/accessories and lots of ammo. Burn enough ammo on the range so that you are good with it.
N.B.: It will be my assumption that if you are carrying one of those around my neighborhood and I do not know who you are, that you are a bad guy (or an idiot which is the same). Steps will be taken.
I believe the answer is “no”. The hand pumps that you’re talking about will only work on wells that are approx. 1 atmosphere deep. Most of our pumps here in Florida are the submersible kind cause you can’t “suck” water up from the depth that our wells are dug at.
We’ve got ground water real close to the surface, but it’s not suitable for drinking. However, in a SHTF situation you could have a shallow well with manual pump and suitable filtration so you’d at least have water.
No kidding.
My plan was always to go to my family’s home in the country in Vermont. The problem arises with getting there, and then fitting into the community.
A recent conversation with someone in the area up there about just that indicated that I should probably tell some of them of my plan—just so as I dont get “detained” on the way in.
*LOVED* this part:
FM 21-76 US ARMY SURVIVAL MANUAL
Reprinted as NOT permitted by U.S. Department of the Army, but by we the citizenry who paid for it.
A little herbalist and first-aid training might be useful, too. And I’m not talking about medical marijuana, but natural remedies in general.
” We’ve got ground water real close to the surface, but it’s not suitable for drinking. However, in a SHTF situation you could have a shallow well with manual pump and suitable filtration so you’d at least have water. “
Keep in mind that your area supported large populations of people (native american, and your ancestors) with low-tech solutions to the problems you’re going to face — a little bit of historical research might pay dividends.....
I agree, but I have no problems with the AR/M-16/M-4 platform, either.
I like this one too:
“People who live in delightful, well-mannered suburbs, who
never have to contest for their lives and property, often fail
to grasp the subtle logic of violence. It is a mistake seldom
made by hardened criminals.”
James Dale Davidson and Lord William Rees-Mogg in THE GREAT RECKONING
That's why I recommend investment in precious metals..like lead encased in brass.
"...What Bible are you reading? God commanded you to love your neighbor, not trade her like chattel. You may be severely disappointed at the end of your days..."You miss the point entirely. My overall goal is not to own young, tan, lithe, firm, bra-less females, although that would be a definite plus in a time when the cable goes out. No, the goal is to snap my acquaintances out of their apathetic, consumerism-as-god stupor. If anybody thinks they can just glom on to me and my preps simply because I'm a Bible-thumper, well, that dog don't hunt. When TSHTF, they are more than welcome to eat their big screen TV and fancy new car. I'll even lend them a steak knife to help them cut it up into tiny pieces.
Since you are Biblically astute, you certainly are aware that God commands us to prepare for lean times and store up extra food. To ignore this edict is not only stupid, but goes against the word of God.
And you be nice when referring to my new ottoman as chattel. Her name is Debbie, and she provides a welcome place to rest my weary feet after a long day of directing my minions.
I recall it being a shock to this poor country boy when he went off to the fancy schools and found that all those well-educated folk in the ivy-covered buildings had no idea that squirrels were food. (I especially recall the "We must respect all cultures! Diversity! Americans are too narrow-minded!" woman who evidently made an exception to her Embracing Diversity outlook when it came to some varieties of American culture.)
LOL! We stock the liquor cabinet twice a year: June for the summer and November for dealing with the family during the holidays. The last trip we took to the liquor store, I picked up the largest, cheapest, glass-bottled vodka I could find. My husband looked at me kind of funny, because he knows I’m uppity with my vodka. I told him it was for our emergency stores. Alcohol has many other uses, such as disinfection. Vodka in a glass bottle will last forever.
How about making a still...? You could barter with the surplus.
I wasn't trying to make an exhaustive list but just mentioned some of the items that immediately came to mind.
Booze should have come to mind. I drank more than my share years ago and don't drink now, but alcoholic beverages would make a very good barter item.
I haven't priced any lately, but I am guessing that one could buy cases of relatively cheap vodka or whiskey and the stuff would last forever. One would have to protect it from breakage and theft. I wonder if pint bottles would be the most effective "denomination"?
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