We all prep for different reasons.

[elkhound]

Sorry, I am not aware of this "Preppers Bible" about which you speak. They started training my brother and myself in 1951........I was a total failure. But in 1952 it started to work. All that ended roughly 54' or 55'.

We were told then there would be no more help. From that point we were told we should find the answers. So, I started studying the written words on the subject. In August 1949 on the 29th. day the stark seriousness of prepping was born for my generation.

The good luck for me are others was that the event on August 29, 1949, triggered the frightened cry for more prepping information. And the public's thirst was met with authors doing research, and personally living the information they wrote about. Throughout the 50's there was a frenzy of publications with each author, digesting all the other authors books on the subject, and collectively leapfrogging new and better information.

This pretty much came to an end roughly in the late 70's early1980's. Something was born, a totally new prepping theory. I still have nearly all the books I bought in the 50's through 80's on the subject of prepping & prepping for survival.

See, I have no personal opinions that "I created" on the right way to prepare. My opinions are other people's opinions from 1952 through early 80's. That said, I trust what I was taught starting over 72 years ago. And I assert that current prepping is corrupt, it serves a master, sadly that master is not the current prepping community.

titles and authors here please

 

[rice paddy daddy]

i am not responsible for someone else either prepping or not prepping. That is THEIR responsibility.
Just like I am not responsible for defending others in a mass shooting situation. That is up to them whether to carry a gun or not.

 

[Sourdough]

@elkhound

Start here for authors and titles. Many wrote a new book on the subject every two or three years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism

I would concentrate on Mel Tappan and others that had leapfrogged over "earlier" others, using their books for expanding their knowledge. I would concentrate on mid to late 70's and early 80's publications.

Names like Howard Ruff, Harry Browne, Bruce D. Clayton, Mel Tappan, Jeff Cooper, Don Stephens, Kurt Saxon, John Pugsley (I am likely leaving several authors out unintentionally)

 

[elkhound]

@elkhound

Start here for authors and titles. Many wrote a new book on the subject every two or three years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism

Names like Howard Ruff, Harry Browne, Bruce D. Clayton, Mel Tappan, Jeff Cooper, Don Stephens, Kurt Saxon, John Pugsley (I am likely leaving several authors out unintentionally)

i know a ew of those names for sure from way back when i was a kid.

thinking out loud...i have found nuggets of information at such a wide range of books,magazines and more its unreal. i am reading a book about food but it has some nuggets of survival both from the past and present...and probably the future in it and historical knowledge too thats fascinating in itself.

also oral tradition...i.e. wooden halibut hooks. i looked for years on how to make them. i couldnt find any information. that is until lonnie with far north bushcraft in alaska interviewed his friend about them. since then i seen multiple natives make and use them...but just this past week i got another huge nugget of info...guess where from ...a museum curator. the natives showed how you make hooks as wide as your hand roughly...well the guy was just talking and said reason for this size was it acted as a type of gauge to keep from hooking the great big barn door halibut because the native fishing lines wouldnt ever hold the big fish so the hook dictated the size of fish .

 

[Pearl]

Pearl.....for the record......I don't think I am the ultimate authority.

That suggestion is what they call a strawman fallacy.....invented by others so they can argue against something that hasn't been posted.....because that is easier than rebuttal of what actually was posted..

I actually think the generation of survivalists that came before me were the ultimate authorities (guys like Jerry D Young).

......but they are either all gone or have given up trying to talk people into getting actually prepared (in like..... reality).

I learned a lot from guys like that a decade or so ago.....and I don't see that stuff discussed on these forums anymore.

Sourdough and I are trying to make a point about why that is.

We are trying to get people to discuss that sort of knowledge.

Was NOT referring to YOU!!

 

[sonya123]

Your energy is over the top, we lived on running water, lights, wood stove for heat, no AC. But maybe Gen X needs all that to live.
Candles can replace electric lights if needed.
Still it is a complete chart.

Um, husband and me are gen x and we currently live with questionable running water ( yes it is running today and looks clean, just made coffee) , limited electric, wood stove for heat and water heating, plus cooking in winter, no ac.
I think it's the millenials you are thinking of

 

[sonya123]

I am curious about this post. What have I ever posted that caused you to think that I "WORRY" about other preppers.......??? You confuse caring with worrying.

No big deal, I'll double the Body Bag order.

I think people should mind their own business
that's all
you are only responsible for yourself ( and your family if you have one)

 

[Sourdough]

you are only responsible for yourself ( and your family if you have one)

So, too hell with helping other people. To hell with caring about fellow humans. Just to hell with everyone else but yourself. What religion is that.....??? Actually, I know what religion that is.

 

[Morgan101]

See, I have no personal opinions that "I created" on the right way to prepare. My opinions are other people's opinions from 1952 through early 80's. That said, I trust what I was taught starting over 72 years ago. And I assert that current prepping is corrupt, it serves a master, sadly that master is not the current prepping community.

O.K. I can understand both sides of this arguement. Sourdough, maybe you and Hardcalibres can give us some of the basics. What were the original tenets of Prepping and maybe Survivalism? How do you think they have they changed over time, and where did things really go wrong?

I'm not new, but I don't go back as far as you guys. I agree, there is a lot of BS out there, and since 2012 it has turned into a cottage industry. I would hope, or like to think, newbies would use some common sense to differentiate the good from the bad.

 

[Sourdough]

I would hope, or like to think, newbies would use some common sense to differentiate the good from the bad.

Based on the reception of this and several other threads it appears there is little probability of that.
Hell, preppers who have been prepping for 20 or 30 or more years can't or more likely chose to refuse to differentiate.

Mostly in this and other threads I have been instructed to NOT help, that I should only care about me. I should NOT care about anyone else.

 

[Morgan101]

Based on the reception of this and several other threads it appears there is little probability of that.
Hell, preppers who have been prepping for 20 or 30 or more years can't or more likely chose to refuse to differentiate.

I have been prepping for 20 plus years but I don't know what happened before that. I admit my reasons to start were purely self serving. I was a sales rep logging lots of windshield time, on the road for days, and I knew if I ever got stuck, I was going to have to live in my car for days. That is how I began. The Iben Browning scare back in the 90's gave us a reason to take it to another level, and prepare at home.

I am pretty open minded, and would really like to know if what we did was right or if we should be on a different path. What were the differences between that time and where you guys started?

 

[sonya123]

So, too hell with helping other people. To hell with caring about fellow humans. Just to hell with everyone else but yourself. What religion is that.....??? Actually, I know what religion that is.

no good deed goes unpunished
I mind my own business and I feel like other people should too
And I am not a christian so those rules don't apply to me

I would probably help out a friend I really like but the average population out there I don't even know I could care less about

 

[Sourdough]

What were the differences between that time and where you guys started?

There was NO internet.
Think who controls people's beliefs about prepping. The information was NOT filtered.

One would think that @Hardcalibres and I are asking for something, that we are trying to sell limited edition books, or top secret information to be mail in a plain brown envelope, in exchange for something. We have nothing to sell......"nothing". We desire nothing other then that people wake-up.

 

[Tommyice]

Based on the reception of this and several other threads it appears there is little probability of that.
Hell, preppers who have been prepping for 20 or 30 or more years can't or more likely chose to refuse to differentiate.

Mostly in this and other threads I have been instructed to NOT help, that I should only care about me. I should NOT care about anyone else.

We should never stop caring about other people. That is how HUMANITY will survive. Caring about others is how tribes, communities, cultures survive.

An individual can prepare all they want even thinking they've got it all covered; but, there will be something that crops up that they need the assistance of someone else for. Would be a shame if they help providers say "I worry about me and mine."

 

[Magpie]

In a very quiet voice she asks- anyone prep just because they enjoy it?

 

[Sourdough]

In a very quiet voice she asks- anyone prep just because they enjoy it?

I "enjoy" the feeling of enhanced safety & security.

 

[Morgan101]

In a very quiet voice she asks- anyone prep just because they enjoy it?

Very good point. I don't know if "enjoy" is the word I would use, but I do consider it a lifestyle. I always ask the question "Why would you not be prepared?" Every day you see horror stories on the news. especially in the wake of a natural disaster, and I think "Do you want to be one of those people, evacuating with the clothes on your back?" It doesn't take a lot of effort to think a little bit ahead and prepare.

 

[Pearl]

In a very quiet voice she asks- anyone prep just because they enjoy it?

The thread title is " we all prep for different reasons"! If one is not prepping for the doom and gloom end of civilization, prepping is enjoyable!! I prep for many reasons although I don't consider myself an end of the world prepper! It is enjoyable to sit home during an ice storm and not need electricity and have everything needed!

 

[elkhound]

just a thought here...did yall know the average credit card debt has tripled since the 08-10 crisis...is it any wonder people dont do things.

theres seniors traveling all time now living in camping areas because its become cheaper for them than place they had to live...you pull in get water,electric,garbage and often free internet some places as low as $14 a night.

i mean i know camp grounds are booked a year in advance...friend traveling has talked to huge amount of older folks having to do this to live. i know a guy doing in it in real life right now.

go to youtube punch in slabcity...or street in Philadelphia or any city and look at society burnt out on drugs and more....its even starting to be in country now..i never thought i see homeless here in my area but yet i am seeing a few.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

We desire nothing other than that people wake-up.

Sadly, that’s a losing battle.
Just look at the polling numbers for the Harris/Walz ticket.
Those people either embrace communism or are looking for free “stuff”.

You will never wake up people with that mentality.

 

[sonya123]

We should never stop caring about other people. That is how HUMANITY will survive. Caring about others is how tribes, communities, cultures survive.

An individual can prepare all they want even thinking they've got it all covered; but, there will be something that crops up that they need the assistance of someone else for. Would be a shame if they help providers say "I worry about me and mine."

if someone I know personally helps us out in some way, I would help them out also. I would probably help out our neighbors or at least some of them . I was thinking about the average population in large cities like the one we lived in. I don't care if they all disappear from the planet ( except friends and relatives). That was the point I was trying to make. I would say about 10% of the population is downright evil, 50% are absolutely useless , 30% are too old to survive if any sort of real disruption of services happens and the other 10% might be people that can restart civilization if there is anything left and the 10% evil don't kill them

 

[sonya123]

The thread title is " we all prep for different reasons"! If one is not prepping for the doom and gloom end of civilization, prepping is enjoyable!! I prep for many reasons although I don't consider myself an end of the world prepper! It is enjoyable to sit home during an ice storm and not need electricity and have everything needed!

LOL Pearl, you can come stay with us anytime if the civilization ends, but enjoyable NOPE!

Our power is already off AGAIN, and we are replugging various things around into the solar and probably if it gets hot out the generator. Neighbor just called to tell us the pipe from the spring is rusted, they fixed it as best as they could but it will fail probably most likely sooner than later. So , I imagine all THAT and more if TEOTWAWKI happens and not sure I want to survive it. It's ok when you know you can drive to the store to get more fuel if it runs out but if there are no stores, no power, no fuel , no nothing , not sure I want to be around
I can see a young person like our son able and willing to survive but me and husband...mehhh...too much trouble

 

[Tirediron]

I am on the blend line between boomer and Gen X, and I don't really see much difference , the older X ers are more aware of what is going down.
But if you really stand back and look many people who prep financialy don't have any food extra around, or especially water. I guess it is what ever puts you in a comfort zone, HSS machining bit are only Important to those who would be able to use them,

 

[Tirediron]

There was NO internet.
Think who controls people's beliefs about prepping. The information was NOT filtered.

One would think that @Hardcalibres and I are asking for something, that we are trying to sell limited edition books, or top secret information to be mail in a plain brown envelope, in exchange for something. We have nothing to sell......"nothing". We desire nothing other then that people wake-up.

But back in the early days, (and by being on the edge of civilization, my stuff prolly qualifies as 10 or 15 years earlier) people were so enamoured with the convieniences that they didn't want simple system back up for the most part,
And the Totalitarian regimes were quieter about their slow take over , most north americans still think that they can vote their way out of one world government. the book none dare call it conspiracy was written a long time ago.

 

[elkhound]

But back in the early days, (and by being on the edge of civilization, my stuff prolly qualifies as 10 or 15 years earlier) people were so enamoured with the convieniences that they didn't want simple system back up for the most part,

HSS machining bit are only Important to those who would be able to use them,

Just look at things now...some are using satellite tracking planting row crops and others are still using a wooden plow point behind oxen....what a great contrast that is. Anyone thinks a shtf deal is going to be the same all over at same time is fooling themselves..its not. Just look at Ukraine/Russia war right now...on both sides of line farmers are still farming and people are trying to live daily lives. The Mariupol port is umping out goods 3x more now than it was under Ukraine but yet its not far from front-lines...people are still living lives.

just spring boarding off your first sentence going back in years and or on edge of civilization.......and second part too.

i think i rambled....lol

 

[d_marsh]

So, too hell with helping other people. To hell with caring about fellow humans. Just to hell with everyone else but yourself. What religion is that.....??? Actually, I know what religion that is.

You sound like the government: I am here to help you, I will decide what help you need, and I will decide how to implement that help. Because I care so much.

 

[d_marsh]

See, I have no personal opinions that "I created" on the right way to prepare. My opinions are other people's opinions from 1952 through early 80's. That said, I trust what I was taught starting over 72 years ago. And I assert that current prepping is corrupt, it serves a master, sadly that master is not the current prepping community.

I wasn't even alive through most of that. So what I know is from the late 1990's until last month, training over and over with the best the US Military and private contractors had to offer. It is also based on watching people live and die in active war zones and troubled nations during periods of extreme unrest. Seeing who survived it and who didn't, how they survived it, what worked and what failed. I have picked shrapnel out of my body, I have picked the brains and organs of others off of me, I have removed souls from this plane of existence, I have sat in small huts and drank from a bucket, I have gone many days without food, and I still don't think I know **** about survival. But what I do know for a fact, is that true knowledge comes from learning what everyone has to offer and implementing what feels right to you. Regardless if someone else doesn't agree.

 

[SoJer]

...The chart I have posted several times before isn't specific to anyone or anywhere.

[CHART / MATRIX]

It really does apply to everyone......and the less of it you have covered.......the less prepared you are.

Small side point (but, Good 'Food for Thought / Planning' for those who found this helpful.. Again. ) One of the Cat's that 'Matrix' Definitely Needs to be expanded-upon in, is the Cross-pollination between Dental... and 'First Aid' (which is really, 'Advanced FA' Preps..) as - IMO - Most peeps are Gonna find themselves needing Far more than just the typical 'Zinc Oxide + Eugenol (Clove Oil) Repair Kit'.. and the .edu DL'd to Use the stuff...

..Which IS Totally Doable..

..If I / We can Do it... So can You...

Maybe whence I get some time (soonish..) I'll do a more thourough 'Write Up' on this suggestion, with Source links / Vid-Links, etc... Mmmm.. Better, Here: https://www.homesteadingforum.org/threads/prepping-flow-chart.20036/#post-616729

'Course, the 'standard Disclaimer' will apply (For Informational / Research-Seeds Purposes Only - Not "Professional" Medical Advice, etc. etc.. but ya'll can get the Gist..

Fwiw..
jd

 

[Neb]

Small side point (but, Good 'Food for Thought / Planning' for those who found this helpful.. Again. ) One of the Cat's that 'Matrix' Definitely Needs to be expanded-upon in, is the Cross-pollination between Dental... and 'First Aid' (which is really, 'Advanced FA' Preps..) as - IMO - Most peeps are Gonna find themselves needing Far more than just the typical 'Zinc Oxide + Eugenol (Clove Oil) Repair Kit'.. and the .edu DL'd to Use the stuff...

..Which IS Totally Doable..

..If I / We can Do it... So can You...

Maybe whence I get some time (soonish..) I'll do a more thourough 'Write Up' on this suggestion, with Source links / Vid-Links, etc... Mmmm.. Better, Here: https://www.homesteadingforum.org/threads/prepping-flow-chart.20036/#post-616729

'Course, the 'standard Disclaimer' will apply (For Informational / Research-Seeds Purposes Only - Not "Professional" Medical Advice, etc. etc.. but ya'll can get the Gist..

Fwiw..
jd

Get all your teeth pulled and dental work not required.

Ben

 

[EastenerWesterner]

I have been through 3 Evacs and a bad couple weeks with mudslides on my road. Stressful times.
Out of 12 houses up here in a remote location, I have a pecking order list of who I would help.
An older couple who have lived up here 50 yrs. I know they have supplies and would give me a weapon and ammo if I needed it, I can walk right in their house and help myself to a beer.
A couple that both served in Iraq.. I know they know what they are doing and have freezers full of wild hogs.
2 other couples are a 50./50. The other 7 are SOL unless it meets my needs I am not going to listen to company CEO’s, Lawyer’s, Dentists or Engineers tell me how to survive.
Been there, done that with them before.