Post SHTF Occupations

[kay13]

not only the math which I agree with you but the reading and writing...here where I am at they use ipads n elementary schools and the thing reads to them...no text books anymore and they take there tests on them also....my second grader has been using the same 2 pencils since school started in mid August.....no wander the US has a generation of dummies growing up ....i honestly believe the government has created this so they can make citizens dependent on them.....but not my kids I am teaching them to be able to survive without the government....aka the old days

 

[Mountain*Heart]

I hopefully will be of some sort of help and able to do a job. I can drive most anything, that's what I've done with the better portion of my life. Thrown in with that would be also a seamstress, I can make a bib or throw together a three piece suit with the wedding dress to go along and any other kind of crafty thing one would might like. Besides driving, my favorite thing is to cook and bake. That I have been doing for 52 yrs. In fact the best compliment that I feel I have ever received was when a friend told someone else that I could make a **** sandwich taste good. LOL Along with all that crowing I can grow a garden, tend to livestock (including milking by hand) and not afraid of hard work at all. So, when need be and it's time to roll our sleeves up and get things back in order I will be right there along with the rest of them. Just not here in Florida doing it...I hope. lol

 

[tntboy13]

To be frank, our kids today are frickin' stupid. (and yes, this includes mine). They have the smarts, but were simply never taught. They are my stepkids, so my wife and I didn't have any input until now (long story)...but we are trying to teach them. The idea of doing math in their head is so alien to them. I hate math, but I can still do calculations quicker than they can bring up the app on their phones and do the input. They say, "But we'll always have our phones with us, so why do I need to learn it?". Simple. So you aren't an idiot, and don't come off as one. How's that for a reason?

Nowadays, doing math in your head has become a sideshow trick it seems.

Jeez... Let em know in calc BC it's all math either in your head or on the paper. I've used my calculator for only the second time this year today when I had to approximate errors and max errors of Taylor polynomials... You just can't afford not to be able to use your own head..

 

[mustang592]

not only the math which I agree with you but the reading and writing...here where I am at they use ipads n elementary schools and the thing reads to them...no text books anymore and they take there tests on them also....my second grader has been using the same 2 pencils since school started in mid August.....no wander the US has a generation of dummies growing up ....i honestly believe the government has created this so they can make citizens dependent on them.....but not my kids I am teaching them to be able to survive without the government....aka the old days

If I ever hav kids they will be taught everything i know like survival on your own and deer guttINT/skinning

They will not be dependant on technology

 

[kay13]

If I ever hav kids they will be taught everything i know like survival on your own and deer guttINT/skinning

They will not be dependant on technology

I agree with you....my kids think of it as a chore right now helping me do things but when the time comes they will already know what to do and how to do it....very valuable lessons

 

[Gazrok]

What's funny, is that my kids see their chores as such impositions....and gripe about them. They talk as if when living on their own, they won't have to do them.... Just because you are on your own...unless you're getting a maid, you'll still have to take out the garbage bucky!!!

 

[mustang592]

Kids today are truly Dependant on technolo aand the ggovernment its not obe of my friends is aalways n non stop amd it pisses me off he's gonan get ts comin to tim soon

 

[tntboy13]

Kids today are truly Dependant on technolo aand the ggovernment its not obe of my friends is aalways n non stop amd it pisses me off he's gonan get ts comin to tim soon

I think I got your message? lol

 

[mustang592]

Wow I totally failed typing that message lmao

 

[jimLE]

one thing I've noticed in this topic...what if there's 6 or more to a group..it's best to have 3 or more that's good/great at the same thing..be it gardening canning plumbing etc etc..on account if just 1 person can do a certain job at hand,and if said person falls ill for a few days or dies.then who's gonna take over their responsibility(s)?

 

[kay13]

Very

one thing I've noticed in this topic...what if there's 6 or more to a group..it's best to have 3 or more that's good/great at the same thing..be it gardening canning plumbing etc etc..on account if just 1 person can do a certain job at hand,and if said person falls ill for a few days or dies.then who's gonna take over their responsibility(s)?

very good point...and I agree...but unfortunately there is so many such as myself that is not in a group.....here where I live there are no other preppers as myself....if there is they are not open to others which may be the down fall for them....i believe a small group is best if you are able to find ppl who are in mind with you and ya'll are able to work together

 

[jimLE]

there's 2 things you can do that'll help you learn who's prepping,and who's not.1st,pay attention to whats in their yards homes and storage buildings.right along with vehicale trailers n all..2nd is when you go shopping,pay attention to what their buying..especially large items and a lot of some thing that folks normally don't buy a lot of.for example.if their buying large bags of rice beans or sugar.and you know that they dont work at a soup kitchen or restaraunt.chances are.their a prepper

 

[Gazrok]

one thing I've noticed in this topic...what if there's 6 or more to a group..it's best to have 3 or more that's good/great at the same thing..be it gardening canning plumbing etc etc..on account if just 1 person can do a certain job at hand,and if said person falls ill for a few days or dies.then who's gonna take over their responsibility(s)?

Yep, but as long as you have the core folks, you can always cross-train. For example, I only have one EMT in our group, but she can cross-train my wife and I, as both of us have advanced first aid certs, and do a lot of our own vet medicine, etc. There are two of us who are pretty good at handiwork (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.). Cross-training is the key, if you don't have a horde of folks.

 

[Krime]

one thing I've noticed in this topic...what if there's 6 or more to a group..it's best to have 3 or more that's good/great at the same thing..be it gardening canning plumbing etc etc..on account if just 1 person can do a certain job at hand,and if said person falls ill for a few days or dies.then who's gonna take over their responsibility(s)?

let me tell you what I did: I personally don't, and probably wont like people I don't really know for long periods of time. people are freaking weird these days, and I don't know what male id allow alone around my ol'lady, much less my daughter....or my boys for that matter. I intend to have just my family, believe me that's crazy enough lol. however, post-shtf, things may change. so, with that being said, my family doesn't prep! just me.....oh joy lol, so, really, im the only one with any real knowledge or how-to in my "group", so heres what I did/am currently doing: im making a "how-to" journal. where to go, where to stay away from, how to build different types of shelters, how to grow food, how to *sigh* hunt food (as if you can learn that by reading but still lol) how to set numerous types of traps, what everything I know the stuff in the bug out bag can be used for etc. etc. etc. many people write manuals, but they didn't go to MY BOL, they didn't have EXACTLY what I have in my bag, they didn't live in my climate etc etc. I made this, so if I get picked off before we get there, they may still have.......*sigh* a glimmer of hope on how to get things done and/or somewhat survive, although they will be without my skills.....I also am CPR-firstaid/ defibrillator certified, I am well construction oriented in all trades, I have better than average mechanic skills, I can weld, and im currently in college for Sustainable energy technology, which gives me knowhow in solar, wind turbine, hydro turbine, and electrician skills. plus primal earth land living wilderness stuff lol so, ya, I write....a lot of this stuff down for them just in case.

 

[jimLE]

that definitely works for some if not most people.but not for everyone.some need others around for different reason.from to just having them there as company to helping with things on the property to being on security,etc etc..thats why i mentioned it to begin with.

 

[Krime]

that definitely works for some if not most people.but not for everyone.some need others around for different reason.from to just having them there as company to helping with things on the property to being on security,etc etc..thats why i mentioned it to begin with.

lol oh don't get me wrong, I wasn't putten your idea down, nor disagreeing, I think your idea is wonderful!

 

[jimLE]

oh no problem krime..just putting my 2cents worth in as usaual..

 

[Potter County Man]

I'm not sure which would be better, to have a bunch of people that really doesn't want to leave home go with me or to go by myself and just find like minded people along the way.
All you really need if you are a guy is a good looking woman to keep you company and a dog.

 

[carhugger_prep]

Everyone talks about surviving, but how many people actually have a plan for what they'd DO after a SHTF event? By this, I mean a job, a function to society beyond just your own survival.

I remember an episode of Doomsday Preppers. I know, most of it is pretty crazy and of course, made to make the person look like a loon, but there was this one guy who is a trucker, and post SHTF, he foresees a need for this of course.

It got me thinking. What would we do post SHTF? Specialization is the key to human society really. We can't all be good at everything. When we assembled our group, we were lucky enough to have friends who were ex-military, current law enforcement, former EMT, skilled animal handlers, etc. I got the idea that once settled into our lifestyle (post SHTF), we'd likely be a trading post...trading goods and services we could spare, for things others could spare that we need (or could trade with others).

Of course, this had me taking stock of what we could offer (or could learn to offer). Now, some of these things we'd be able to do, and others we'd trade for, but here are some ideas.

Looter - A guy who goes around looking for discarded or abandoned items. He might find ammo that doesn't fit his weapon, for example, and want to trade it for a jar of home-canned food. Could also be less savory raiders, but same deal, they may find they make out better trading vs. risking it with armed opponents. Example, a looter may clean out an old abandoned pharmacy, but have no idea what the drugs do. He trades them with us for food, any needed meds, water, some ammo, etc. We then have them to trade with others (or use on patients).

Medical - Whether an EMT, a doctor, a nurse, or even someone who knows a lot of first aid, these skills will be in demand. Serious ethical issues too, because you don't want to use up items if nothing for trade. However, labor could always be a commodity.

Farmer - Grow food, trade excess for other items. Raise animals for food, work, etc.

Drugs - Whether looted pharmaceuticals, home-made remedies from medicinal herbs, tobacco or currently illegal plants, etc., these will be hot commodities.

Mechanic - Things break, always need fixing

Construction/Plumber/Electrician - Always have to build, modify things, fix infrastructure

Messenger/Communications - Whether a HAM operator or runner, communication will be very different, as will news

Fuel Specialist - Making biodiesel, converting engines, etc.

Soldier - Things need to be guarded

Trader - What I plan to do (as above)

Prostitute - You know it will be around

Truck Driver - Would probably be armed convoys, but can see how this would eventually be something that would work, especially once settlements allied.

Food Prep - How to preserve food without modern power, etc.

Hunter/Fisherman - Provides meat for the masses

Laborer - Just all around muscle work

I'm sure there are PLENTY of others you could think of.

My professional trade is something you forgot. It is a mechanic. When SHTF people will bring their vehicles with them no matter if it is a car, truck, van, ATV, golf cart, or motorcycle they will need to be fixed.

 

[lonewolf]

I'm not sure which would be better, to have a bunch of people that really doesn't want to leave home go with me or to go by myself and just find like minded people along the way.
All you really need if you are a guy is a good looking woman to keep you company and a dog.

 

[Gazrok]

My professional trade is something you forgot. It is a mechanic.

Sorry, forgot to mention it, but did remember it. I have a pretty well-stocked garage, and can fix a lot of things, but by no means am I a trained mechanic. Still, I do have a good setup for it, but yeah, at some point, this is one role that is really missing from my group.

 

[Snowflake]

Everyone talks about surviving, but how many people actually have a plan for what they'd DO after a SHTF event? By this, I mean a job, a function to society beyond just your own survival.

I remember an episode of Doomsday Preppers. I know, most of it is pretty crazy and of course, made to make the person look like a loon, but there was this one guy who is a trucker, and post SHTF, he foresees a need for this of course.

It got me thinking. What would we do post SHTF? Specialization is the key to human society really. We can't all be good at everything. When we assembled our group, we were lucky enough to have friends who were ex-military, current law enforcement, former EMT, skilled animal handlers, etc. I got the idea that once settled into our lifestyle (post SHTF), we'd likely be a trading post...trading goods and services we could spare, for things others could spare that we need (or could trade with others).

Of course, this had me taking stock of what we could offer (or could learn to offer). Now, some of these things we'd be able to do, and others we'd trade for, but here are some ideas.

Looter - A guy who goes around looking for discarded or abandoned items. He might find ammo that doesn't fit his weapon, for example, and want to trade it for a jar of home-canned food. Could also be less savory raiders, but same deal, they may find they make out better trading vs. risking it with armed opponents. Example, a looter may clean out an old abandoned pharmacy, but have no idea what the drugs do. He trades them with us for food, any needed meds, water, some ammo, etc. We then have them to trade with others (or use on patients).

Medical - Whether an EMT, a doctor, a nurse, or even someone who knows a lot of first aid, these skills will be in demand. Serious ethical issues too, because you don't want to use up items if nothing for trade. However, labor could always be a commodity.

Farmer - Grow food, trade excess for other items. Raise animals for food, work, etc.

Drugs - Whether looted pharmaceuticals, home-made remedies from medicinal herbs, tobacco or currently illegal plants, etc., these will be hot commodities.

Mechanic - Things break, always need fixing

Construction/Plumber/Electrician - Always have to build, modify things, fix infrastructure

Messenger/Communications - Whether a HAM operator or runner, communication will be very different, as will news

Fuel Specialist - Making biodiesel, converting engines, etc.

Soldier - Things need to be guarded

Trader - What I plan to do (as above)

Prostitute - You know it will be around

Truck Driver - Would probably be armed convoys, but can see how this would eventually be something that would work, especially once settlements allied.

Food Prep - How to preserve food without modern power, etc.

Hunter/Fisherman - Provides meat for the masses

Laborer - Just all around muscle work

I'm sure there are PLENTY of others you could think of.

I'm a weaver and know how to spin wool, I love my old style craft and can weave most things, willow for baskets ect and Seven knows all about mechanics.

 

[Mountain*Heart]

I'm a weaver and know how to spin wool, I love my old style craft and can weave most things, willow for baskets ect and Seven knows all about mechanics.

Oh that's it....moving to Scotland, make room Snowflake! LOL Oh how I wish you were closer. It would be an honor to learn that craft. I do make all sorts of handmade crafts such as sewing clothing, home decorations made from all sort of natural items or whatever anyone would like to have, you name it and I probably have put it together. The way things are going over here knowing how to weave is going to come in real handy, I think.

Anyway, just wanted to acknowledge your knowledge for a great craft.

 

[carhugger_prep]

If I could get a group together here in Indiana then I would be the mechanic of the group. And yes I have a Indiana forum up in the appropriate spot and people have been posting on it.

 

[Myrrph]

i would probably end up being a scavenger/forager and trader... lol

 

[Snowflake]

Oh that's it....moving to Scotland, make room Snowflake! LOL Oh how I wish you were closer. It would be an honor to learn that craft. I do make all sorts of handmade crafts such as sewing clothing, home decorations made from all sort of natural items or whatever anyone would like to have, you name it and I probably have put it together. The way things are going over here knowing how to weave is going to come in real handy, I think.

Anyway, just wanted to acknowledge your knowledge for a great craft.

I used to teach tartan weaving to tourist on a 1930 harris loom powered by pedals, Now I make christmas decs for friends....I'm mad on all things winter.

 

[jimLE]

a how-to" journal is a great idea..even when it comes to you looking up something just to refresh your memory on something..and if you can,get the family members to read them.even if it's to get their opinion on what you wrote..that could prove to be a good way to teach them something before hand..and who knows.by haveing them read it.one of them might tell you this is intresting.or say this is great..and who knows.a miracel might happen where one of kids might say i like this.i wanna try it..

 

[Gazrok]

I personally don't, and probably wont like people I don't really know for long periods of time. people are freaking weird these days

I hear ya. Those coming to the ranch are for the most part, friends I've had for over a decade. And it is couples, so not much worry there. Between our kids and theirs, we have some younger representatives too, so a decent mix. One couple is a cop and former EMT, so they are great additions, and have been good friends. While none of us really want to see the SHTF, we've all at least discussed what would likely need to happen for all of us. Luckily, we have the room, though we'd have to build out some changes (like converting the shop to two bedrooms, and maybe converting some stable stalls to bedrooms).

 

[ahipes]

I am an EMT so I know what my job would be

 

[Myrrph]

ahipes, brush up on traditional remedies and traditional/alternatives esp for antibiotics. manufactured medicines will run out eventually.