What have you done?
- Thread starter Clyde
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I don't think I ever actually answered the OP:
Stored Canned Food - some, though I need more as we use it too often, as well as more dry stores
Water Storage - yes, plus we have our own well and rain catchment, though I need more large storage barrels
Stock Up On Batteries - some, though I need to go more into rechargeables and solar charging
Learn Basic Survival Skills - always debatable as to what these are, but growing food, keeping animals, home preserving
Have An Escape Route - mostly we are bugging in, though there is an escape route (but only to regroup and then recapture the ranch)
Created A Bug Out Pack - always have had one of these since I was a teen
Weapons Cache - some, and a decent amount of ammo, though I need some more long guns to add to this. We also have an extensive amount of melee weapons. I also want to get at least a bulletproof vest for everyone, so that will be a bit at a time.
Other items though:
Garden - this is a must have, and something we're doing in Feb., finally (got put off a bit)
Stored Fuel - including additives to keep it fresh (Stabil, etc)
Stockpiled Medical Supplies
Stockpiled Cleaning Supplies
Stockpiled Construction/Repair Supplies - can't tell you how many times it has been handy to have spare lumber, concrete blocks, fencing, fence posts, etc. around to make repairs or even new projects.
Stored Canned Food - some, though I need more as we use it too often, as well as more dry stores
Water Storage - yes, plus we have our own well and rain catchment, though I need more large storage barrels
Stock Up On Batteries - some, though I need to go more into rechargeables and solar charging
Learn Basic Survival Skills - always debatable as to what these are, but growing food, keeping animals, home preserving
Have An Escape Route - mostly we are bugging in, though there is an escape route (but only to regroup and then recapture the ranch)
Created A Bug Out Pack - always have had one of these since I was a teen
Weapons Cache - some, and a decent amount of ammo, though I need some more long guns to add to this. We also have an extensive amount of melee weapons. I also want to get at least a bulletproof vest for everyone, so that will be a bit at a time.
Other items though:
Garden - this is a must have, and something we're doing in Feb., finally (got put off a bit)
Stored Fuel - including additives to keep it fresh (Stabil, etc)
Stockpiled Medical Supplies
Stockpiled Cleaning Supplies
Stockpiled Construction/Repair Supplies - can't tell you how many times it has been handy to have spare lumber, concrete blocks, fencing, fence posts, etc. around to make repairs or even new projects.
17 pages later....
I done several things besides stockpile: worked on genting dentistry/ oral health up to date, I have a hospital job as a cardiac technician so I'm in demand in healthcare, I learned basic car mechanics so I can work on small engines, cars, and generators, learned spanish, adopted a bicycling lifestyle, created a library of books, stockpiled meds, completely gave up booze and nicotine in all its forms, many other things.
Most of these preps are cheap and/or free. Being health conscious is, in my mind, half the battle.
Most of these preps are cheap and/or free. Being health conscious is, in my mind, half the battle.
Today was a really great day. I smoked a pork loin with apple twigs for an hour and then slow cooked it wrapped up in foil in the oven for a few hours till it was fork fall apart. Threw in some sides of augraten potatoes that I had dehydrated earlier, and some of the green beans and red potatoes I'd canned, and cooked them in turkey broth I had also canned. I made this early in the day and have been snacking pretty much ever since. After gorging for lunch I bottled 15 gallons of last years muscadine wine, which turned out to be one of the best batches I've ever made. It's a sweet red that has more fruity grape flavor than should be legal! I also picked a pail of blueberries to go in the freezer, and enough Concorde grapes to start another five gallons batch. That's the third 5 gal batch I've started with this years grapes. I lastly picked the last of the onions in the greenhouse, a handful of carrots and half a pail of ripe tomatoes. So pretty much this was a good day enjoying some of the preps I've stocked and started a few more. I'm prepping not just for shtf, but to be able to enjoy the stuff I've worked on when it's off season. I only wish I could enjoy every day like this.
today. im canning 16 pints of chilli..ate last of was in the pot.seeing how there wasn't enough for 1 more pint..and yes.its good..
A lot of things.
I love it. I don't suppose there's any inclination to share details?
my favorite long running prep is loading ammo.....at least once a week I load something.....good quiet time.....
Make sure they are food grade before putting oil, vinegar, etc..I've just had delivery of 20 5lt 'jerry cans' (Will get more when needed) and I'm putting liquids in such as bleach, cooking oil, vinegar etc.. And anything else I can think of...
I did before buying them from HERE
I'm in the process of selling up and moving to the west coast of Scotland. My plans are for as much land as I can feasibly manage for a big food and medicinals garden and, depending on how things go, gradually taking on hens, bees, rabbits/quail. Dual-purpose goats and small-breed pigs would great, but much further down the line and only if I can manage the commitment well. The usual plans for food stores ☺
Getting to know neighbours and contributing positively to my community, trying to add to its health, joy, mutual support and resilience. Engaging with wider socio-political issues on the side of openness and understanding to make social crises a) less likely and b) easier to weather. Working to increase social capital and to make capitalism less of a holy grail and sacred cow.
So far, I'm good with growing veg and soft fruit, food preservation (need to work on canning, though), DIY, general cooking, sewing, etc. I'm building up my stock of hand tools, survival and storage gear (just got my first 26 litre water cube, very proud ), and handy/survival skills. Through croft-sitting, wwoofing, research and tackling more challenging projects, I'm gaining experience and skills in construction, off-grid energy, and livestock (mainly pigs, sheep and poultry to date). The wwoofing and crofting, in particular, have been wonderful for experiencing the myriad ways in which people combine self-reliance, live-and-let-live and community.
Lots more to learn!
Getting to know neighbours and contributing positively to my community, trying to add to its health, joy, mutual support and resilience. Engaging with wider socio-political issues on the side of openness and understanding to make social crises a) less likely and b) easier to weather. Working to increase social capital and to make capitalism less of a holy grail and sacred cow.
So far, I'm good with growing veg and soft fruit, food preservation (need to work on canning, though), DIY, general cooking, sewing, etc. I'm building up my stock of hand tools, survival and storage gear (just got my first 26 litre water cube, very proud ), and handy/survival skills. Through croft-sitting, wwoofing, research and tackling more challenging projects, I'm gaining experience and skills in construction, off-grid energy, and livestock (mainly pigs, sheep and poultry to date). The wwoofing and crofting, in particular, have been wonderful for experiencing the myriad ways in which people combine self-reliance, live-and-let-live and community.
Lots more to learn!
LD Rider here. Over the years I have built a nice "Retreat" about 7 foot off ground level (because I am west coast central Florida). It is about 10 miles from even the smallest town and has a limited access road. No electric power except that I have installed some solar, $4000 in excellent batteries, and oh yes a generator. It has a 500 gal potable water tank, plus 550 gal. of rain water storage capacity, and in excess of 100 acre's of property with ponds and creeks. Plenty of wild game of every type plus fish, turtles, etc.. Stored some food but most of that is at my house in town. Some weapons and ammo etc.. I formed my own group about 10 years ago (after the building was completed). Still working on above ground gardens, chicken pens, fruit trees, etc. Now the members are stocking up everything they can and storing the items at their homes. By the way we are looking for a few members with desired skills. NO ...the property is not for sale.
A little late to this party, but I have started prepping for local disasters. We have tornadoto and earthquakes here. Though most earthquakes are small and don't cause much damage, the tornadoes are much more vicious. So I actually have a BIB, as well as a BOB. My youngest son, age 11, also has one of each, my husband, as stated in another thread has no interest in prepping, and therefore has neither BIB nor BOB. Also, each bedroom has an easily accessible flashlight and battery bag, which I decided would be better than putting it in a drawer and hoping I can find it in the dark.
There's more prepping for my car, and I'm just getting an extensive first aid kit.
There's more prepping for my car, and I'm just getting an extensive first aid kit.
I'm not sure how much detail I'll give but I've been prepping pretty hard since 2012.I'm planning on the power grid, but the way are going could be all of us are right. I am still building on my 12 room storm shelter, size got bigger as I was building, now its taking longer to get done. I have 114 5gal buckets of rice, beans, flour, sugar,you got it. I have goats and plan to add chickens this summer, have more fence to make first. I bought my tractors with all the work I'm doing, cheaper than renting every weekend. Have 3 pitbulls, yellow lab, and a german sheppard that has a bad temper. I do have a gun or two, more important is I have 10 mag for all my semi autos. Ammo, well not as much as I would like but I can shoot 1,000 rds a day for 3 weeks, then I'd have to start reloading. Have 19 people buggin out to my place, lost a few along the way,( want-a-be prepper) took enough of your time
I have 5 kids , live in the suburb/ rural area . Hunkering down and waiting it out has just never been my style . We are all proficient fishers/ hunters / trappers . I am skilled in fire/shelter and bushcraft. Our home can be wherever we want it to be water is never a problem with all the water around me .( can make filtration naturally and boiling ). Have heirloom seed packs in every bag to setup multiple (spread out micro gardens) . See the problem I have with hunkering down as some do building these vast “compounds “ of weapon ammo and food supplies, is ok if some civil unrest happens you can fend off marauders. But let’s be real it’s not going to be a band of 300 people storming down your house right I mean just think about it large groups together in times of food shortage ? I think you guys like to fantasize over one too many zombie flicks. What if it’s our government who comes for you ? Or a foreign nation invades? You gonna fend all them off too ? I mean there is an eventual endgame to this “defend the fort” mentality. Consider versatility. Get topographical maps of your area. Get familiar with indigenous wildlife and plants . Learn sustainability through hunting/ trapping . Learn fresh/saltwater(if applies ) fish migratory habits . Yes I have guns but not huge hunks of ammo i love portable . Learn bow hunting crossbow blow gun . Our ancestors thrived in this manor . You are a specialist in your area build upon that . Learn simple shelter techniques . I could go on forever. I love you guys we think the same preparedness is key. I just feel like Hollywood has influenced so many people’s vision of SHTF moments that’s it has misconstrued our whole way we go about being prepared . God made us ruler of all creation we have survived and thrived. Nothing and I mean nothing can beat a skilled woodsman/woods woman in their home turf. If you live in the city take some weekend scouting drives to rural areas more remote the better scout them out find a suitable place and start getting familiar with it.
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I live 27 miles from the nearest town on a little used river, only have a few neighbors. I've had laying hens and meat rabbits for years, a team of driving ponies that know their jobs and we do a lot of hunting and trapping. Eventually, I'd like to go to solar power. Losing electricity is one of my major concerns.
New to the whole idea of prepping, but started with the emergency food storage and bug out bags. Basically had to start from zero, as all of my gear previously was lost due to life blah blah. Glad I kept all my fishing gear!!
Super excited to see all of the amazing things you all have to teach!
Super excited to see all of the amazing things you all have to teach!
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2012
- Messages
- 18,449
Welcome to the site. We all had to start somewhere.
Can my vote be "All of the Above". We probably started prepping in earnest when Iben Browning predicted the New Madrid fault was going to blow and destroy us all. I think that was late 80's early 90's. We all thought he was the latest version of Chicken Little, but he had credentials, so we put together a trash can full of just-in-case stuff.
Fast forward to Y2K, and the threat seemed a little more plausible, and we had already been prepping for about 5 years. Mayan Apocalypse came and went, but by then it was a way of life. Now we rotate stock and fill in holes when we see them. The pandemic, and recent civil unrest has gotten my wife on board a little more. She has asked "Do we have xxxx? Do we have a shotgun and ammunition? Do we have a water filter? My kids, who are both adults still think of it as (eye roll) Dad's hobby. She would never admit it, but my daughter had to eat some crow when we sent her supplies she could not get.
Fast forward to Y2K, and the threat seemed a little more plausible, and we had already been prepping for about 5 years. Mayan Apocalypse came and went, but by then it was a way of life. Now we rotate stock and fill in holes when we see them. The pandemic, and recent civil unrest has gotten my wife on board a little more. She has asked "Do we have xxxx? Do we have a shotgun and ammunition? Do we have a water filter? My kids, who are both adults still think of it as (eye roll) Dad's hobby. She would never admit it, but my daughter had to eat some crow when we sent her supplies she could not get.
Luckily the wife and all my kids and grandkids are fully involved. We even have a full time CFO (aka wife aka Lisa aka bitch) that keeps on track.
I highly recommend everyone get prepared for anything and everything. A lot of anything's will be happening in the near future. My family and prepping group is continuing to increase our supplies and knowledge. It's time to network and organize into larger groups if possable and also support other local preppers and get as many new people prepared as possible.
Thanks, going to be fun!!!
problem with storing items like that in large containers is rotation >>> most need to be on a regular everyday usage basis and worked thru before it expires - bleach for example is a year
Which is why I store powedered bleach and make my own when needed after SHTF and I can no longer buy liquid bleach.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2013
- Messages
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What brand do you use?
No brand
Calcium hypochlorite from JJ chemical's
I buy bleach tablets from Walmart on the laundry isle. I’ve collected about 40 containers of them. Mostly unscented, but they have three types and they are really cheap.
I buy pool shock with nothing else in it. One container goes a long way.
