HIGH PRIORITY PREPPING PRIORITIES....????

[Magus]

I live like I prep. this is ALL I think about. Well that and alien cat-women
and bleach blonde women in Nazi uniforms.

Shelter and alternate shelter:
Building up where I am and maintaining a place to go if where I'm at is unsafe. this includes making sure that my food, defenses, and medical supplies are up to date and there is a reasonable supply of maintenance supplies like plywood, plastic sheet, tarpaulins, nails, and tools.

Food.
there is never enough, make sure it stores for long terms, a mix of canned, fresh and dried in varieties enough to ensure a balanced diet for at LEAST six months to a year. make sure it is stored in pest proof, freeze proof, water proof containers, I lost several hundred dollars worth of Knorr dehydrated meals due to a roof leak once.

Guns and ammo.
One rifle of a caliber suitable for the largest game in your area.
One shotgun that is reliable and accurate.
One 22 Lr that is accurate and reliable.
One pistol suitable for defense.
One pellet or BB rifle.
Your location will heavily influence your choices, forget the gun rags and YouTube gurus unless you're just checking on the reliability, maintenance, price etc.
A MINIMUM of 1000 rounds each of hunting and practice ammo.

For defense:
Use what you know and use what is proper for your area. for some this might be an AR-15, Mini-14, or AK-47, For others it may be an FAL, M1-A, HK-91, or AR-10. range, terrain, and building density change choices. My area for example, which is an even mix of woods and
suburban, my choice would be something like:
An AK-47 or FAL
A Remington 870 with combat mods.
A 1911 45 automatic or Hi power.
Have a MINIMUM of 7 magazines for each weapon, basic repair parts, any specialized tools, and a MINIMUM of 5000 rounds each.

Clothing:
Y'all forgot seasonal clothing and footwear, medical supplies and animal needs.

 

[Magus]

How did I go from correcting a bad line to quoting myself?

 

[Old Whatshisname]

IMHO only...

If you're in an urban setting and you have absolutely no way to provide for yourself - not so much as some stored food and water - well, then you've got a problem.

[/QUOTE]
I agree.

Being near an urban area but having a plan to a) get out of that area or b) hunker down and not rely on anyone else for water, food, power, etc. then you're in much better shape than many.

[/QUOTE]
If you're facing a scenario which involves a major disaster lasting for a week or so, you're probably right. But if you find out about the problem at the same time everyone does, I don't see how you'd have much of a chance of bugging out unless you can somehow avoid having your exit being caught up in a fifty-mile-long traffic jam.

And how can you live in an urban location with long term food, water, heat, and some form of security?

When we finally made our move in 2017, we knew we'd have to relocate and build up our infrastructure before the sh*t went down. We moved 812 miles north to a state where we knew absolutely no one. That was scary indeed, but we're glad we did it; hopefully, if there is a major breakdown in the United States, we'll be in a (relatively) good position.

If you're in the absolute middle of nowhere and no one is trying to mess with you, that's awesome! Until...you need help in one way or another. Then that remote setting can work against you.

[/QUOTE]
Amen. Could you imagine breaking your ankle trying to bring in that last goat in the dark with a storm coming on with your wife at seven months and her water just broke? Give me good neighbors any day!

 

[Aerindel]

The simple truth is that a lot of people will live in unsurvivable circumstances that they are constitutionally unable to change. One of the 'burdens' of looking at the world from a survival perspective is the realization that most of the people who know and see are the walking dead.

 

[Hardcalibres]

The simple truth is that a lot of people will live in unsurvivable circumstances that they are constitutionally unable to change. One of the 'burdens' of looking at the world from a survival perspective is the realization that most of the people who know and see are the walking dead.

I have always found the history of the mid to late 1930s interesting.

It is clear that most people:

1. Thought that Hitler wasn't serious
2. Didn't think he would really do anything seriously bad to the jews (they were more just convenient scape goats that he would not need to persecute anymore after he got into power)
3. Thought that Hitler would stop once he had back all the parts of Germany lost in the treaty of Versailles
4. Thought that war would be avoided because they had already had "the war to end all wars"
5. Thought that cutting off the oil supply to Japan would get them back under control - not push them into a corner
6. Thought that Japan wouldn't dare attack a much more powerful nation
7. Thought that all those new military aircraft would just be used against combatants
8. Thought that dreadnought battleships would remain the ultimate tool of power projection - immune to everything else but another dreadnought
9. Thought they could rebuild their military, in their own time
10. Thought they could hide behind defensive lines of wire concrete pill boxes without defense in depth
11. Thought it was better to end those defensive lines when you got to the border of a "friendly" country - so as not to offend them
12. Thought that tanks were still just toys - and that anyone invading with them would not just use the local gas stations to refuel
13. Thought that if a war came along, it would be exactly like the last one

But we now know that only normalcy bias could make people draw the above conclusions from facts that did not support those conclusions.

 

[bkt]

If you're facing a scenario which involves a major disaster lasting for a week or so, you're probably right. But if you find out about the problem at the same time everyone does, I don't see how you'd have much of a chance of bugging out unless you can somehow avoid having your exit being caught up in a fifty-mile-long traffic jam.

And how can you live in an urban location with long term food, water, heat, and some form of security?

When we finally made our move in 2017, we knew we'd have to relocate and build up our infrastructure before the sh*t went down. We moved 812 miles north to a state where we knew absolutely no one. That was scary indeed, but we're glad we did it; hopefully, if there is a major breakdown in the United States, we'll be in a (relatively) good position.

I agree. If you're near an urban area and find out about a problem the same time everyone else does, you're probably no better off than they are. But if you've been seeing what's coming for a few years and have provided for yourself - food stores, reasonable defense, water storage and purification, storage of meds, etc., then you'll be pretty far ahead of others.

Personally, I'd rather have my neighbors be pretty far along in their preps which is why I very gently nudge them that way.

 

[Aerindel]

Personally, I'd rather have my neighbors be pretty far along in their preps which is why I very gently nudge them that way.

I used to think this....the problem is, I've found gentle nudging doesn't do anything useful, I've said this before, but I think if you don't wake up occasionally at 4 AM with your heart pounding and go out had check all your preps....you probably aren't going to be driven enough to do the hard, expensive work of serious prepping.

agree. If you're near an urban area and find out about a problem the same time everyone else does, you're probably no better off than they are.

There is a NARROW advantage that an urban, heavily prepped person could have even if they learn about the problem at the same time everyone else does.

A non prepped person will have a delay in action, while they try to decide what to do.
A prepped person, with clear guidelines and a practiced bug out plan, could get moving at the head of the traffic jam, rather than in the middle of it.

But this is a NARROW window.....an hour after the ballon goes up will be too late....but if you are on the road in fifteen minutes, while everyone else is still running aroung their house grabbing their socks and family photos, you could be at a significant advantage, provided where you are going, is not going through any other epicenter.

 

[Supervisor42]

And how can you live in an urban location with long term food, water, heat, and some form of security? .... Amen. Could you imagine breaking your ankle trying to bring in that last goat in the dark with a storm coming on with your wife at seven months and her water just broke? Give me good neighbors any day!

We have done it successfully for years.
When a hurricane blows everything around here, roads closed, stores closed, power out, roofs blown off, everybody emerges and surprise, surprise, they are all preppers too, and we all pull together.
Folks are constantly going door to door, saying: "y'all need anything?".
I will argue that living alone in the middle of nowhere, may not be the best bet to survive a catastrophe.

 

[Aerindel]

I will argue that living alone in the middle of nowhere, may not be the best bet to survive a catastrophe.

I will argue, that it depends on the catastrophe.

When everyone has a little extra, people are usually glad to help out each other.

But there is no comparing a storm, to a collapse. There is very little reason NOT to help when its a short term, small scale problem.

But if you are the man with 1000 days of food, in the collapse....and you break your ankle, you're not better off being in the middle of a thousand people who have 10 days of food than you are by yourself.

Which is why I said a good vehicle is the one thing I would tell someone, because a vehicle is flexibility. With a truck you can both live in the middle of nowhere, and be with other people. You can use it to help them....or to escape from them...depending on the situation.

 

[Aerindel]

Like most things, I think a bell curve would display how useful neighbors are. Graph the Y axis as 'severity' and the X axis as 'usefulness of neighbors'.


Set your 0 point halfway up....because in really minor things and really sever things, they can be negatively useful.

 

[elkhound]

Get a 4x4 truck. Keep it in good shape.

In my experience, the single biggest thing that gets people in serious trouble....is lack of good transportation. So many time a problem would be relatively easily fixed, if you just had a 4x4 truck. Its the single greatest self sufficiency tool of all time. Without one, not much else matters because you can't even get started without the truck.

Happening right now..while many sit safe and sound many are at high risk because of lands handed over...fleeing at this point is only option...look at the clog road though..prime target if opposition decided to do some culling right about now and not let them flee inside new safe borders for them. This is a vote for a working vehicle but also being able to just step away from it and go on foot up the path of escape.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopoliti...0-year-old-heartland-karabakh-facing-genocide

 

[elkhound]

You are approached by someone you care about to some degree. Maybe close friend, family, long time neighbor, etc. and they ask you to please reflect on for a week, then advise them, what are the highest's priorities for a wide range of serious SHTF scenarios. They request the answer be broad based, and not narrowly focused.

See second post.

Can you sit on, reflect on this question and not respond to the thread for one week....???

Well i waited the week before posting. This is such a broad based question with such high variables it hard to answer because of lack of information such as location,age and abilities and so much more.

I mean the basic is food,water,shelter and security and that can look like a wide range of things too.

Since most of us are going into winter soon,not having a heavy sleeping bag to make it through a cold night would be baseline basic for an immediate threat of freezing to death over night.

Then food and water and way to cook them. I get high winds in my area often and you aint building a fire without extreme danger of setting the entire forest on fire..boradbrush statement there. But a simple stove with fuel or a stove to contain open flame for regular fire to cook over without dangers of wildland fires and lets face it many cant start fires much less keep one going and cook over it.

sturdy heavy clothes,sleeping bag,plenty of food and way to cook it,water and security of sidearm and long gun and least amount of population as can be and or having a working relationship with the folks you are around.

 

[Tommyice]

provided where you are going, is not going through any other epicenter.

This is my problem. I'm suburban with another location to go to. However, getting there is the problem. Six hours away (that's a leisurely 6 hours). I would have to drive past/around Albany, Amsterdam, Utica, and Watertown, NY to get there. When things pop off and I'm here, then I'm here. If that's the case, God wants me here for a reason.

Read diaries of folks living in London, Southhampton, Paris and the Channel Islands during WWII. There's got to something to learn from them. Don't forget to read the ones written by Germans living in Berlin, Dresden and the like also.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Hey, @Tommyice don't feel like the lone ranger, we are about 8 hours south of you and if it pops we're stuck too. I have been able to try to develop some small scale sustainable resources, but it would be very dicey for us too. My only option would be to move west, but I have gotten stuck on that parking lot during a holiday weekend so I would not want to even consider it in an emergency..... My best option is to hunker down, go dark, and wait for the culling to finish, then make a plan based on the best information available.

 

[Old Whatshisname]

I have always found the history of the mid to late 1930s interesting.

It is clear that most people:

1. Thought that Hitler wasn't serious
2. Didn't think he would really do anything seriously bad to the jews (they were more just convenient scape goats that he would not need to persecute anymore after he got into power)
3. Thought that Hitler would stop once he had back all the parts of Germany lost in the treaty of Versailles
4. Thought that war would be avoided because they had already had "the war to end all wars"
5. Thought that cutting off the oil supply to Japan would get them back under control - not push them into a corner
6. Thought that Japan wouldn't dare attack a much more powerful nation
7. Thought that all those new military aircraft would just be used against combatants
8. Thought that dreadnought battleships would remain the ultimate tool of power projection - immune to everything else but another dreadnought
9. Thought they could rebuild their military, in their own time
10. Thought they could hide behind defensive lines of wire concrete pill boxes without defense in depth
11. Thought it was better to end those defensive lines when you got to the border of a "friendly" country - so as not to offend them
12. Thought that tanks were still just toys - and that anyone invading with them would not just use the local gas stations to refuel
13. Thought that if a war came along, it would be exactly like the last one

But we now know that only normalcy bias could make people draw the above conclusions from facts that did not support those conclusions.

I completely agree with your list; normalcy bias has killed more people! Why, when ol' Footh got eaten by that sabretooth cat, it didn't stop his brother Magooth from meeting the same fate the following week. Things appear not to have changed over the past hundred thousand years....

My country has done the same thing. In just my own lifetime, we fought (and lost) just about every war we fought, because our approach to this war had been to always fight the last war (cf: Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan). Recently, Mr. V. Putin has found that out as well, much to his dismay and that of the families of Mother Gaea-knows-how-many Russian soldiers!

 

[Aerindel]

My best option is to hunker down, go dark, and wait for the culling to finish, then make a plan based on the best information available.

Well, your second best option.....

But I understand that people and place are the same thing for 'real' people so moving is an act of self destruction in itself.

I'm curious, what are you hunkering plans? I've never lived in an urban area so I've always been curious what people come up with in such places. What do you do when you are facing potentially tens of thousands of people with no resources milling around?

 

[elkhound]

PJF put this vid out this afternoon to youtube.

 

[Amish Heart]

I saw that. It was a good one.

 

[UrbanHunter]

Well, your second best option.....

But I understand that people and place are the same thing for 'real' people so moving is an act of self destruction in itself.

I'm curious, what are you hunkering plans? I've never lived in an urban area so I've always been curious what people come up with in such places. What do you do when you are facing potentially tens of thousands of people with no resources milling around?

For me hunkering down is going silent and dark, especially at night. No generator noises at night and no extra lights, trying to keep the adage out of sight out of mind. I have rain water collection, water filtering, water storage, food stores, and growing stations that could keep us going for a couple of years. I also have been working on having "low profile" off grid solar back up to allow for the freezers and some cooking appliances to stay viable long after the grid was down.

From what I have seen, water is the thing that will separate the men from the boys... you can only last 3 days without water and once people start drinking unfiltered water from buckets, streams, and puddles, sickness will soon follow. For many, those sources will be beyond their comprehension so they will have to start moving south and west in search of water and food.
FYI- Most people don't realize that once the grid goes down, the tap water will dry up within a couple of days because the pumps will stop and the water towers only hold enough for a day or so... In a real SHTF event where things are clearly on their way south, the first order of business is to gather as much drinking water as you can.

Looters may be a problem, but historically they have tended to gravitate to the nicer neighborhoods...

 

[Hooch]

In the past, when I was active on the local search n rescue team and worked at the sheriff dept, I had alot of gear n stuff . I lived in earthquake country and it is not uncommon to have a stash of water and supplies in case the big one hit.
I never really had many friends come around too much..I was always too busy working , training or enjoying my very little time to myself.
Occasionally..a few friends would ask to join me the next time I canned something to learn how to do it. Or they'd make comments like , "I should put back a few gallons of water too"..but they'd never do it.
Even today, at the community meetings i go too, my good friends (specific ones in mind) go, they are interested in learning the how to's and voice their opinion on the value of being prepared but have done very little preparation since these meeting started almost a year ago.
They are good people..they know they should but always prioritize other activities and fun hobby type expenses.
The good thing about the meetings is it is a constant reminder to those who need to get ready AND people are sharing interest n skills they know how to do with others while were building community n trust.
But all that said, I learned over the years not to really get into giving alot of advice out personally.
Most folks just are not willing to do what it takes.
It's a lifestyle and mindset that requires having goals , security minded boundries , financial commitments and all the time n energy that takes.
Personal abilities n issues, mental health , financial ability or limitations can throw things into gear or plans sideways so in my opinion, individuals really have to do their own planning n research to implement their plans.
So, I've found it best to just direct friends to websites so they can do their own research since I dont know all the variables in their life.
I've offered to teach friends canning before in the past but there is always a soccer game that day n folks dont show up. So, I stopped offering.
Since moving out here almost a decade ago, I really havent befriended very many folks that really really know me..for a reason. I have one gal pal n her husband that are dear friends but neither of them really know the depth of my interest in this regard.
So, I agree with sourdough in the opinion that many folks want someone to think it through for them.
I dont believe it's because they dont want to just think it through themselves, but perhaps more deeply rooted in the arena that involves many personal lifestyle factors , beliefs about the state of our world, our country and how we are conditioned to be lead in life instead of being our own leaders, and the overall committment to make it all happen.
Normalcy bias, social programming and social inclusiveness are strong weapons to keep the masses doing the same ol same ol to fund those in power to do whatever they want.
And then there is the monkey wrench gangs out there ..I like that crowd better.

 

[Aerindel]

once people start drinking unfiltered water from buckets, streams, and puddles, sickness will soon follow.

I think this is a common, and very American normalcy bias.


I've been to cities of two million people where much of the population regularly drinks horribly contaminated water. Like directly downstream from open sewer water.

And yes, disease is rampant.

But its still a city of two million people......

I think we, living as Americans, tend to greatly underestimate how bad a living situation can be, and still be....livable.

 

[Hardcalibres]

I think this is a common, and very American normalcy bias.


I've been to cities of two million people where much of the population regularly drinks horribly contaminated water. Like directly downstream from open sewer water.

And yes, disease is rampant.

But its still a city of two million people......

I think we, living as Americans, tend to greatly underestimate how bad a living situation can be, and still be....livable.

Yep - I have been to those places too.

In general, I am skeptical of any idea that sounds like wishful thinking, especially when it is used to support a counter-intuitive concept.

 

[LadyLocust]

In the past, when I was active on the local search n rescue team and worked at the sheriff dept, I had alot of gear n stuff . I lived in earthquake country and it is not uncommon to have a stash of water and supplies in case the big one hit.
I never really had many friends come around too much..I was always too busy working , training or enjoying my very little time to myself.
Occasionally..a few friends would ask to join me the next time I canned something to learn how to do it. Or they'd make comments like , "I should put back a few gallons of water too"..but they'd never do it.
Even today, at the community meetings i go too, my good friends (specific ones in mind) go, they are interested in learning the how to's and voice their opinion on the value of being prepared but have done very little preparation since these meeting started almost a year ago.
They are good people..they know they should but always prioritize other activities and fun hobby type expenses.
The good thing about the meetings is it is a constant reminder to those who need to get ready AND people are sharing interest n skills they know how to do with others while were building community n trust.
But all that said, I learned over the years not to really get into giving alot of advice out personally.
Most folks just are not willing to do what it takes.
It's a lifestyle and mindset that requires having goals , security minded boundries , financial commitments and all the time n energy that takes.
Personal abilities n issues, mental health , financial ability or limitations can throw things into gear or plans sideways so in my opinion, individuals really have to do their own planning n research to implement their plans.
So, I've found it best to just direct friends to websites so they can do their own research since I dont know all the variables in their life.
I've offered to teach friends canning before in the past but there is always a soccer game that day n folks dont show up. So, I stopped offering.
Since moving out here almost a decade ago, I really havent befriended very many folks that really really know me..for a reason. I have one gal pal n her husband that are dear friends but neither of them really know the depth of my interest in this regard.
So, I agree with sourdough in the opinion that many folks want someone to think it through for them.
I dont believe it's because they dont want to just think it through themselves, but perhaps more deeply rooted in the arena that involves many personal lifestyle factors , beliefs about the state of our world, our country and how we are conditioned to be lead in life instead of being our own leaders, and the overall committment to make it all happen.
Normalcy bias, social programming and social inclusiveness are strong weapons to keep the masses doing the same ol same ol to fund those in power to do whatever they want.
And then there is the monkey wrench gangs out there ..I like that crowd better.

You made a very true statement! “Most folks are not willing to do what it takes.” It is a lifestyle choice that comes with decisions to make- sometimes difficult decisions.

 

[Hardcalibres]

You made a very true statement! “Most folks are not willing to do what it takes.” It is a lifestyle choice that comes with decisions to make- sometimes difficult decisions.

Agreed.

It is also my observation that (as with much in survivalism), mindset is critical.

The more of a survivalists mindset you have, the easier/more natural it is to make those lifestyle choices that contribute to survivalism/preparedness.

For the really full on survivalist, following any normal path would be unacceptable.

I always smile a bit when people post about all the sacrifices that people have to make to get very prepared.

But to someone with a strong survivalism mindset, to not make those "sacrifices" and try to live in an urban place, would make us apprehensive and miserable.

 

[Hardcalibres]

Once upon a time, I read the transcript of an interview of the author Stephen King.

He was asked the following question:

"Why are all your stories about such scary and dark themes?

His answer:

"What makes you think I have a choice?"


........mindset.......

 

[Aerindel]

For the really full on survivalist, following any normal path would be unacceptable.

Indeed. I always roll my eyes when someone or other starts out with "Well, I'm a highly prepared but I'm not one of those crazy survivalists, I'm just a normal guy"

Which to me always translates as "I'm not really prepared for anything more serious than a storm"

I always smile a bit when people post about all the sacrifices that people have to make to get very prepared.

I think the common "I don't want be a prepper because I won't live in fear" statement for non-survivalists is a variant of that.

Yeah, I don't want to live in fear either....hence the prepping. Living in fear comes from being smart enough to know the dangers, but not motivated enough to actually do anything about them.

And often, they don't do anything, because they don't want to be 'weird'.The desire to be 'normal' I guess must be very powerful for most people.

So much so that a great deal of prepping advice is based on 'how to be a prepper and still normal'.....and hence is pretty useless beyond the beginner level.

If you live a normal life....you will have normal results....which in extreme situations, usually means failure to survive.

 

[Alaskajohn]

Sourdough asked that we wait a week before posting, so my reply is a bit overdue. My go to answer to the typical “high priority prepping priority“ question is typically the need to be in a location devoid of humans and rich in natural resources and mastering things/skills that improve sustainability, flexibility, survivability, etc. I still believe that.

But what is the this one thing? I offer critical thinking skills. The SHTF world will likely be much worse than even the most pessimistic among us can truly appreciate. We will be faced with a hostile, volatile, shifting and dynamic environment. A bone headed or wrong decision could be fatal in this unforgiving world. Rational, quick, grounded, critical thinking might be the one best thing to have/master.

Oh well, back to my glass of wine!

 

[LadyLocust]

And often, they don't do anything, because they don't want to be 'weird'.The desire to be 'normal' I guess must be very powerful for most people.

So much so that a great deal of prepping advice is based on 'how to be a prepper and still normal'.....and hence is pretty useless beyond the beginner level.

Sorta along the lines of above- they might want “to be prepped” if they don’t have to change anything or think too hard. The only reason for prepping is the kudos they receive from others which is where their own value lies.
If it hits the fan, I might not make it, but it won’t be because I’m normal and what others think certainly won’t be where my decisions rest.

 

[Aerindel]

Sorta along the lines of above- they might want “to be prepped” if they don’t have to change anything or think too hard. The only reason for prepping is the kudos they receive from others which is where their own value lies.
If it hits the fan, I might not make it, but it won’t be because I’m normal and what others think certainly won’t be where my decisions rest.

And too be fair....'normal' but 'prepped' will cover a lot of 'normal' things......

I've always had the attitude that I won't shame anyone for deciding to only prep for certain things....and not others. Everyone has to decide how far they want to go.

Its the people who are only prepped for normal things....who think that makes them ready for the big stuff too, that I have to point out the flaws to.

 

[Old Whatshisname]

Get a 4x4 truck. Keep it in good shape.

In my experience, the single biggest thing that gets people in serious trouble....is lack of good transportation. So many time a problem would be relatively easily fixed, if you just had a 4x4 truck. Its the single greatest self sufficiency tool of all time. Without one, not much else matters because you can't even get started without the truck.

No argument there! I bought a Nissan XTerra brand new in 2011, and it still runs well with 175k miles on it. Since it's rated at towing 5000 lb, we use it for pulling a little travel trailer. However, a 4-liter V6 is pretty thirsty, so Dawn got a new Outback for shopping trips and when we go to visit friends in Boise or SLC.

We always keep both of them with at least 2/3 tankful of gasoline and have our 72-hour stuff already packed away. I'd like trade in the XTerra for a new Toyota Tacoma, but I'd also like to grow my hair back, lose 20 pounds and 40 years, too!