Preparedness - What we can learn by current events.

[Dirty_habiT]

Also these:

 

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/backcountry_water_treatment.html

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/gen_info/filters.html

[SMdoubleXL]

I can’t bring much to this table but this Lil tidbit doesn’t get shared often and learned while learning to grow things. 
 
 

[Schnitzel]

some poor fucker out there going to spunk his foodstamps on a pack of tomato seeds then forget to water them.

 

I've got a load of potatoes growing but they are gonna be a while.

 got asparagus but damn it's producing two stems at a time....

 

 

 

[NightmareOnElmStreet]

Stocks, crypto, mortgage loans? Flights? Are any of y’all investing now or buying or selling? If so, what?! I am personally looking into all of this shit and I’m very interested in what other folks are up to. 

[abrasivesaint]

Same. I bought a few more shares of a stock i have when it got lower, but the one i’m invested in is fairly cheap and hasn't had much drop in price compared to Tesla for example. 
 

Crypto i have touched. I realized that shit is far too volatile and i know fuck all about it. I have some money in it but ive generally just watched it bounce around trying to figure it out, haha.
 

I think i’m gonna book a flight or two this week, i ain’t sweating this virus, and i want that cheap airfare. 
 

I’ve been watching my 401k and while it has gone down i haven’t panicked and pulled it out. I thought about pulling it and reinvesting during this situation but realized i don’t know enough about that sort of shit either. Bonds, metals, whatever..

[Dirty_habiT]

For people that haven't seen WranglerStar before and/or don't know about plate carriers:

 

WranglerStar has a lot of pretty neat videos, btw.

 

 

[~KRYLON2~]

Yeah that dude has some good tool reviews and tests

[~KRYLON2~]

 

This guy has some good videos on how to repair, reuse, and repurpose stuff people throw out

[misteraven]

Bumping this shit, cause it’s even more relevant than when I made. 
 

Who could have predicted the global shit show the world has become?

 

 

[mr.yuck]

7 hours ago, misteraven said:

Bumping this shit, cause it’s even more relevant than when I made. 
 

Who could have predicted the global shit show the world has become?

 

 

Its about to get a whole lot worse. The supply chain issue is still breaking down. I read an article the other day where a trucker was talking about a part that broke down on his truck. He said it was a 4 month or so wait for the part so his company just bought him a new truck. A part broke on his new truck and that part is on national back order. Shits gonna get wild. 
 

For the past year my wife has been studying permaculture and native plant species. I have been studying raising and butchering livestock. We have found a few friends that want to join us and build a small self sufficient community. We have a loose timeline of a year and a half to break ground on the project. I hope that’s not too late.

[ndv]

5 hours ago, mr.yuck said:

We have found a few friends that want to join us and build a small self sufficient community. We have a loose timeline of a year and a half to break ground on the project. I hope that’s not too late.

 

5 hours ago, Mercer said:

 

[Dark_Knight]

Foxfire 1: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Huniting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining. 

*Foxfire 2: Ghost Stories, Spring Wild Plant Foods, Spinning and Weaving, Midwifing, Burial Customs, Corn Shuckin’s, & Wagon Making 

Foxfire 3: Animal Care, Banjos and Dulcimers, Hide Tanning, Summer and Fall Wild Plant Foods, Butter Churns, Ginseng 

Foxfire 4: Fiddle Making, Springhouses, Horse Trading, Sassafras Tea, Berry Buckets, & Gardening. 

Foxfire 5: Ironmaking, Blacksmithing, Flintlock Rifles, & Bear Hunting 

6: Shoemaking, 100 Toys and Games, Gourd banjos and Song Bows, Wooden Locks, & A Water-powered Sawmill 

7: Ministers and Church Members, Revivals and Baptisms, Shaped-Note and Gospel Singing, Faith Healing and Camp Meetings, Foot Washing, Snake Handling 

8: Southern Folk Pottery From Pug Mills, Ash Glazes, Groundhog Kilns to Face Jugs, Churns, Roosters, Mule Swapping and Chicken Fighting 

9: General Stores, The Jud Nelson Wagon, A Praying Rock, A Catawban Indian Potter, Haint Tales, Quilting, Home Cures, The Log Cabin Revistited 

10: Railroad Lore, Boarding Houses, Depression-Era Appalachia, Chairmaking, Whirligigs, Snake Canes, Gourd Art 

11: The Old Home Place, Wild Plant Uses, Preserving and Cooking Food, Hunting Stories, Fishing, More Affairs of Plain Living 

12: Square Dancing, Crafts, Cherokee Traditions, Summer Camps, World War Veterans, Personalities 

[NightmareOnElmStreet]

Holy book gold. 

[misteraven]

Another thread that I feel has become more important with time. I started this at the near height of COVID and have a feeling as we continue on, it’s going to really separate those capable of living a half decent life from those that end up pretty fucked for being dependent on systems that not only do not have your best interest at heart, but appear to be outright trying to fuck you. Then there’s plenty of shit going sideways, spiraling and collapsing as well. 
 

I know @Mercercan speak quite a bit on the topic, both from book smarts and personal experience since I watched him slowly evolve this mindset over the past many years now. 
 

Hoping a few more of our family on here recognizes what we’ve been ringing the bell about. Not to get doomsday prepper on motherfuckers but hedging your bets is wise and reality is you’re engineering a better life and destiny you have a little more control over versus waking up to realize you’re totally fucked because you trusted total strangers to do as they promised rather than follow the obvious track record of control and cash grab. 

[misteraven]

How many of you guys have changed your views on preparedness after these last couple years? I can see how pre-Covid, BLM, etc maybe it was harder to see how quickly life could change and assume you wouldn’t be left out on a limb to fend for yourself. 
 

Not trying to turn this into a political thread necessarily and there’s threads for all those topics, but more wondering how many people are now beginning to realize how precarious things can get and wondering how to set yourself up to be a little more self sufficient?

 

Noticed a few related threads around from gardening to cooking to mortgages etc that sort of speak to skills and lifestyle changes that help you be a little more in control of your lives. 
 

Anyhow, going to keep reminding everyone on here that it’s a really good idea to put yourself (and family) in a situation where you can ride out tough times. Whether it’s an unexpected job loss, health issue or the apocalypse and zombies roaming the earth (obviously a metaphor for a truly shit hit the fan, regional or national disaster), it would be a really great idea to not have to wait or depend on others when you’re in a fucked up spot. 

[LUGR]

4 hours ago, misteraven said:

How many of you guys have changed your views on preparedness after these last couple years? I can see how pre-Covid, BLM, etc maybe it was harder to see how quickly life could change and assume you wouldn’t be left out on a limb to fend for yourself. 
 

Not trying to turn this into a political thread necessarily and there’s threads for all those topics, but more wondering how many people are now beginning to realize how precarious things can get and wondering how to set yourself up to be a little more self sufficient?

 

Noticed a few related threads around from gardening to cooking to mortgages etc that sort of speak to skills and lifestyle changes that help you be a little more in control of your lives. 
 

Anyhow, going to keep reminding everyone on here that it’s a really good idea to put yourself (and family) in a situation where you can ride out tough times. Whether it’s an unexpected job loss, health issue or the apocalypse and zombies roaming the earth (obviously a metaphor for a truly shit hit the fan, regional or national disaster), it would be a really great idea to not have to wait or depend on others when you’re in a fucked up spot. 

Uhhhhhh, my plan was to head to your place.

[misteraven]

20 hours ago, LUGR said:

Uhhhhhh, my plan was to head to your place.

 

you, @psm026  and @ditto / @salchich-pepin

[LUGR]

3 hours ago, misteraven said:

 

you, @psm026  and @ditto / @salchich-pepin

And everyone else on the shirt.

 

If your names on the shirt it’s only fair you get to ride out the apocalypse at your house.

[misteraven]

5 minutes ago, LUGR said:

And everyone else on the shirt.

 

If your names on the shirt it’s only fair you get to ride out the apocalypse at your house.

LOL, bring a tent, food and ammo. 

[ClueTwo]

The wife and I have been slowly building up a decent supply of food, first aid, and other items we feel we’ll need in the event shit gets real. Right now we’re looking at generators, but I almost feel like we’d want one for the house and a second for the road. 
 

I’ve taken some of the classes from Mike Glovers business, Fieldcraft Survival. Both were first aid focused and both were exceptional. Would definitely recommend if the opportunity arises. 

[misteraven]

59 minutes ago, ClueTwo said:

The wife and I have been slowly building up a decent supply of food, first aid, and other items we feel we’ll need in the event shit gets real. Right now we’re looking at generators, but I almost feel like we’d want one for the house and a second for the road. 
 

I’ve taken some of the classes from Mike Glovers business, Fieldcraft Survival. Both were first aid focused and both were exceptional. Would definitely recommend if the opportunity arises. 

Nice! When it comes to generators, I’d suggest a multi fuel one. Obviously the capacity is based on what you need, which generally is whatever it takes to keep your refrigerator / freezer going plus a bit to top off devices and lanterns. If you want to get slick, setting something up permanently to power a couple circuits (again, usually the fridge / freezer and maybe whatever lights and an outlet in a kitchen) is a good move. 
 

Suggest getting a couple very high capacity LED based lanterns. The ones that take D batteries are best IMO. I’d get a minimum of two (they’re generally reasonably priced at around $30 or so), as well as an oil based lamp and plenty of candles is great. Naturally a couple headlamps and flashlights is always good to have on hand. They sell these at Costco from Duracell and when they go on sale (regularly), they’re basically the cost of batteries on their own. 
 

Honestly, it’s not that deep. Just picture what event is most likely (ie: hurricane or whatever) and then visualize what it’s like when it’s at its worse. Then buy the things that you need to be comfortable and productive. 
 

I met Mike a couple times. He’s a friend of a friend so he came by the print facility for a tour and we got a chance to talk. He’s a good dude and teaches good stuff on self sufficiency and resilience. Only suggestion beyond that he teaches is that the most likely disaster most will face is financial (job loss or illness that makes money critical). I feel like he should spend more time discussing that versus the more dramatic shit like economic collapse or civil war etc. 

[LUGR]

One time fairly recently had to deal with an unexpected extended power outage and something that surprisingly came in handy for light were those battery powered faux accent candles. Set them on a timer around the house and they provide just enough light and don’t burn through many batteries.

 

And of course always keep an extra fleshlight close by as a back up.

 

 

[Ko SprueOne]

56 minutes ago, LUGR said:

And of course always keep an extra fleshlight close by as a back up.

Hehe

[Ko SprueOne]

1 hour ago, misteraven said:

Just picture what event is most likely (ie: hurricane or whatever) and then visualize what it’s like when it’s at its worse. Then buy the things that you need to be comfortable and productive. 
 

I met Mike a couple times. He’s a friend of a friend so he came by the print facility for a tour and we got a chance to talk. He’s a good dude and teaches good stuff on self sufficiency and resilience. Only suggestion beyond that he teaches is that the most likely disaster most will face is financial (job loss or illness that makes money critical). I feel like he should spend more time discussing that versus the more dramatic shit like economic collapse or civil war etc. 

Excellent and realistic advice. In a perfectly fair weather non disaster scenario, if you lose your source of income and have nothing saved, a medical or health crisis can be disastrous in itself. Just like that run-on sentence. 

[misteraven]

2 hours ago, Ko SprueOne said:

Excellent and realistic advice. In a perfectly fair weather non disaster scenario, if you lose your source of income and have nothing saved, a medical or health crisis can be disastrous in itself. Just like that run-on sentence. 

Truth is that if you are in a vulnerable position and have no support you can call in, losing a job or a medical emergency is like your own personal apocalypse. Doesn’t matter if the world is humming along and the sun is shining when you’re faced with maybe losing the roof over your head. From an individual point of view, you’re in a world of shit. And reality is virtually everyone will have to deal with something along those lines at least one or twice in their lifetime.
 

Some may have more support than others, but asking for help really sucks. Not having anyone to ask is certainly worse, but both benefit and makes hard times a little easier if you’ve planned and prepared a bit to make yourself a little more resilient. 
 

That’s not an “if” scenario, but a “when” scenario. But likewise, I think even the most sheltered individual has to be more receptive. Wasn’t long ago when the police were literally saying they had no ability to respond to emergencies in some cities. Wasn’t long ago when people had to avoid parts of cities because they were under siege of one sort or another. Wasn’t long ago when people were literally forced to not leave their homes if they weren’t “essential personnel”. 
 

Regardless of your personal perspective on how real or not the threat of COVID was to the average human, we saw the world change in a major way overnight and it was pretty evident just how vulnerable some people were to the consequences/ repercussions of that change. 
 

This being said, I’m not advocating for doomsday prepper type of lifestyles unless that’s your thing. Live your life and enjoy, but hedge your bets because at a certain point, your life will suddenly go sideways whether it’s you and your family, your community, country or the entire world. 
 

It sucks to get caught out there. Don’t wait until it happens and there’s no generators available at any price, to start thinking of it. Dont wait until cops announce you’re on your own to then run to the closest gun shop for a firearm and ammo. 
 

Take a moment to create a threat assessment that prioritizes your own belief and individual situation and come up with a plan that makes sense for you. If nothing else, it’ll help you sleep a little easier knowing that if the world goes to hell, you won’t feel it too badly for a bit. Also, stuff like stocking up on shelf stable food you already eat, when it’s on sale, saves you a little money even if it doesn’t come down to an emergency. Flip side is if your income evaporates, having 6 months worth of basics you can shift to instead of the usual grocery trips when you can’t afford them might just help you get through shit. This I can tell you from personal experience. 

[LUGR]

I’ll take that as a cue to nominate@Mercer’s epicly timed escape from NYC as one the greatest moments in 12oz history. I remember he posted a last glance at the NYC skyline on his way out right before the shit hit the fan…..it was amazing.

[mr.yuck]

Well, per usual, our friends weren't really about that shit. So we started transforming our 3rd of an acre into a place that will support us nutritionally. Everything else is just noise. We buy bulk dried beans, the 20 lb bag of rice, we have 50 lbs of sugar on deck at all times. So even if something happens to the garden we're still eating. The next thing on the list is solar panels. That way if something happens to the garden, I can switch gears on the hydroponic system to start growing food inside. 

[LUGR]

2 hours ago, mr.yuck said:

Well, per usual, our friends weren't really about that shit. So we started transforming our 3rd of an acre into a place that will support us nutritionally. Everything else is just noise. We buy bulk dried beans, the 20 lb bag of rice, we have 50 lbs of sugar on deck at all times. So even if something happens to the garden we're still eating. The next thing on the list is solar panels. That way if something happens to the garden, I can switch gears on the hydroponic system to start growing food inside. 

Sounds like diabeetus and farts to me.

[mr.yuck]

43 minutes ago, LUGR said:

Sounds like diabeetus and farts to me.

 

Beans and rice make a complex carb homie.

[LUGR]

2 hours ago, mr.yuck said:

 

Beans and rice make a complex carb homie.

They also make a complex smelling fart homie.