lets discuss preps for disasters

[Garandman]

Grandman do you really think that ships are still running into Boston when the whole country shuts down and no more trucks are running, no more power, no more water, no more natural gas, no more petroleum fuel of any kind?

I don't know, let me check what happened the last time an entire continent shut down, and see. Oh, wait, it's never happened. So on your list of threats from most likely to least likely is the possibility that a 2,000 mile by 3,000 mile region with 300 million inhabitants is completely immobilized? Because I start with the most likely [here, an intense winter storm with coastal flooding] and work my way down the list.

My contention is not that any particular area is better than another, it is that the people you will most have to worry about are your ill-prepared neighbors. Because they know where you live, and they can get to you. Your neighbors could be a source of community strength, or community weakness, and I don't think any of us really knows.

 

[aczlan]

Neighbor who has nothing to share, and no skills, isn't going to be able to hunker down with me and mine, and expect me to provide for them.
As heartless as it is; the elderly and sick might make it 2 weeks, if it goes on for a month, not many would.

It depends on the person, someone who is older and not physically capable could tend to children while the more physically capable people can be freed up from watching kids to working outside.

Aaron Z

 

[paulharvey]

I don't know, let me check what happened the last time an entire continent shut down, and see. Oh, wait, it's never happened. So on your list of threats from most likely to least likely is the possibility that a 2,000 mile by 3,000 mile region with 300 million inhabitants is completely immobilized? Because I start with the most likely [here, an intense winter storm with coastal flooding] and work my way down the list.

My contention is not that any particular area is better than another, it is that the people you will most have to worry about are your ill-prepared neighbors. Because they know where you live, and they can get to you. Your neighbors could be a source of community strength, or community weakness, and I don't think any of us really knows.

Ok, so, let's look in our crazy world crystal ball. Let's start with the insane premise that somewhere, suicidal zealots hated us, and had access to nuclear (least likely), chemical (easiest and least dangerous), or biological (possibly the worst, and completely possible).

Let's say, hmm, a dozen zealots decided to go to let's say, hmmm, Nigeria and find some Ebola. They then get on air planes (although, we all know that wouldn't happen) and intentional spread Ebola, even in the 100s or low 1,000s of cases. No way that could cause panic?

Just ponder; 9-11; I know it will offend people, but it was a small event compared to what could happen. It didn't even work for the most part. They wanted to take out both builds right away, but most people where able to evac. The Pentagon plan and the 4th one did very little. What might New York look like if the 2 planes had hit closer to the base, the 3rd plane targeted a major bridge and the 4th plane got another major target in the city... something tells me it wouldn't have gone as smoothly

 

[Mace Canute]

Quite some time ago this was posted on the web, might even have been on TBN. It's the story of a man who experienced Argentina's economic collapse in 2001 or as he put it...WTSHTF.

The Silver Bear Cafe

 

[PhysAssist]

Yes, I think you are correct.. I think I remember the yellow logo now. memory was fuzzy, thanks.

de Nada- we laughed our butts off watching those jokers- If brains were C-4, not a one of them would have enough brains to blow their noses.

Even funnier [although a little scary too] are some of the more "hardcore" prep fanatics on Y-tube, that say that they were approached by NatGeo but said that they didn't want to be on the show because they didn't want to give away their secrets or location lest they be robbed or the govment come and comfiscate their stuff.

I kid you not!

If they are that secret, why are they on the Y-tube?

PS: At one time on TWC, NatGeo had some "Prepper Tips and Tricks" on-demand, usually something so basic [or otherwise so esoteric] that it would never prove to be helpful for any kind of survival situation.

 

[PhysAssist]

Wow peeked at this thread out of curiosity and read all 22 pages. The one thing I didn't see mentioned was books, You can't remember everything, at least I can't and books like "Back to basics" and "How to make it off the land" would be invaluable, everything from edible plants to cold rooms to home made smokers for preserving meat. Oh yea and fishing gear if you're near water! Cool thread!

Some of the FoxFire books detailing skills and information from the hill people of Appalachia are really goo too, as are the old Mother Earth News magazines[many of which are stacked no the top shelf of my closet].

My "little" brother moved to a small farmstead in OH where he raises goats, turkeys, chickens, and rabbits as well as a pretty decent garden, but we just have lots and lots of fish- yeah, they're technically Koi [otherwise known as Japanese Garden Carp] but given what we've spent on feeding them over the years, and the east lives they have lived, they owe us at least a few decent fish frys!

 

[crashz]

I live in Northeast MA and there is no way I could prep for a major catastrophe, but I am working on the basics for an extended storm or other typical emergencies:

- We have some canned food and water, about a weeks worth at any given moment. This is tough because my Sister-in-Law & her daughter live with us and they eat everything that is easy to cook, namely the canned and dry foods. And if its in the house, they will eat it.
- Smoke alarms, CO detectors and fire extinguishers on all levels and in key areas. That is a new thing along with teaching everyone PASS.
- Simply organizing tools and supplies to have them hand in case of emergency.
- Plenty of flashlights placed all around the house.
- Gas grill has a working tanks and full spare.
- Back-up charcoal grill.
- Sleeping bags rated to 20 degrees for everyone in the house. Those winter storms can knock out power and therefore heat for days. The house is well insulated and will maintain low 50's with four adults and two dogs, but you still need to stay warm.

I never considered myself prepared for tough events, but this thread is a big help and reminder that I'm way under prepared.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

As others have noted, it is impossible to be prepared for "everything." Having a box of band-aids and a bottle of water is better than nothing

Some have pooh-poohed the idea of a MASSIVE absence of resources - I'd say, with far too casual consideration. CME is real and, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, has come very very close to testing the speculation on a modern day Carrington event. EMP is real and, the delivery of these weapons is within the reach of a number of entities and has been actively practiced by N Korea and others. Terrorism/Islam is real and, they have plans for you.

L. TODD WOOD: ISIS planning 'nuclear tsunami' - Washington Times

 

[Soundguy]

It depends on the person, someone who is older and not physically capable could tend to children while the more physically capable people can be freed up from watching kids to working outside.

Aaron Z

Agreed, labor can be a commodity. No supplies when you show up, but you have skills or muscle, or endless patience and a watch full eye, cooking or canning skills, etc

Hopefully whatever the disaster is passes, etc

 

[Soundguy]

It depends on the person, someone who is older and not physically capable could tend to children while the more physically capable people can be freed up from watching kids to working outside.

Aaron Z

Agreed, labor can be a commodity. No supplies when you show up, but you have skills or muscle, or endless patience and a watch full eye, cooking or canning skills, etc

Hopefully whatever the disaster is passes, etc