lets discuss preps for disasters

[EddieWalker]

I can't speak for law enforcement, but I have a feeling that when things go bad, their primary mission is not what everyone is hoping it might be. When I was in the Marine Corps, I was assigned to the US Embassies in Yaounde Cameroon and Jakarta Indonesia. In both places, most people who worked at the Embassy, and US citizens who worked in those countries that I met, all felt that if things went bad, they would come to the embassy because the Marines would protect them. Unfortunately, our primary mission was to protect the classified material inside the embassy, and to keep everyone out of the embassy that was not authorized to be in there. It was the local governments responsibility to protect the people who worked at the embassy. Non embassy employees where pretty much screwed. There where five Marines in Cameroon, ten in Indonesia. We where armed with pistols, shotguns and uzi's, plus tear gas grenades. In every drill that we performed, the goal was to destroy certain things like encryption devices and documents before losing control of the embassy. This is what happened in Benghazi to some extent, except they had mercenaries instead of Marines protecting the Consulate.

I think that we have seen that during a natural disaster and during riots, the police are concentrated at certain government buildings. They do not go out to protect the people, they do not go out in small groups to patrol or do anything until it's safe for them to do so. During Katrina, I believe the majority of them waited until the National Guard arrived before they where able to start enforcing the law. During the riots in Baltimore, the police where told to let the rioters do what they wanted and to not interfere. People died and property was destroyed because of political decisions made by the mayor.

To rely on the police, or even expect help from them is hopeless until order is restored. How long that takes will depend on the situation.

 

[Soundguy]

Good post sir. ( and THANK YOU for serving )

 

[TnAndy]

think about people on fixed medical schedules. insulin dependent, ALS, heart meds, anti clotting meds, etc. after their 90? day supply ( if lucky ).. that's it.. especially on the insulin... the other stuff that is shelf stable.. a scrounge in a rural area might be able to score a bulk bottle with a years supply of something.. but perishable meds that need reefers.... that will go down first.

If you've read "One Second After", one of the tear-jerker sections was the main character's daughter dying from lack of insulin.

While it's not possible to stockpile enough forever, if I had a child with diabetes, I'd SURE have one of those small vaccine type refrigeration units set up to run on solar (used a lot in the 3rd world). Whatever insulin I did have wouldn't be going bad from being stored at too high a temperature.

If we ever do get into a long term bad situation, the simple fact is a lot of folks that are med dependent are simply going to suffer, and often, die. There is a reason the life span on people from the 19th century was a lot less than today.

 

[Soundguy]

If you've read "One Second After", one of the tear-jerker sections was the main character's daughter dying from lack of insulin.

While it's not possible to stockpile enough forever, if I had a child with diabetes, I'd SURE have one of those small vaccine type refrigeration units set up to run on solar (used a lot in the 3rd world). Whatever insulin I did have wouldn't be going bad from being stored at too high a temperature.

If we ever do get into a long term bad situation, the simple fact is a lot of folks that are med dependent are simply going to suffer, and often, die. There is a reason the life span on people from the 19th century was a lot less than today.

never read it, but I might look it up.

I just did a little google research on insulin. unopened, insulin stored in a controled cool environment from 34-59' and out of sunlight should last a year from purchase ( ok.. end of the world.. figure you might STILL be able to use reefer'd insulin ? 18m ) and unopened insulin kept out of the light in 59-86' temps for 30 days.

that's bleak for a REAL colapse of society situation... depending on capability of power.. that means people that cannot regulate on diet and RELY on insulin have 1m - 18m and that's it. ( because no more will be made .. )

In a more normal disaster.. like storm, earthquake, flood,.. heck, even a non sucessfuel military action against us.. that's not so bad. just ration it and store it right and hope that whatever happens is a '1wk to 1m disaster ' like most of them are.

 

[mark02tj]

After some searching, it's actually WaterBob.

https://www.waterbob.com/Welcome.do;jsessionid=A5E6860C2BA269F32792FB35BF3B9192

I've seen something similar before but I remember it being a lot more expensive. $25 including shipping (I'll have to check Amazon to see if it's "Prime") is a bargain! Might have to order a couple. I have a genny to run the well, etc., but this would be good to use so I'd only have to run the pump every couple of days. Of course, it'll make it a little tough to take a shower with that in the tub.

If you've read "One Second After", one of the tear-jerker sections was the main character's daughter dying from lack of insulin.

THAT was a tear jerker!! That was a pretty interesting book. It brought up a lot of good points about cooperation, planning, etc. The only thing that I think was a bit of a stretch was how "lucky" it was that the town's water system was fed by a reservoir that was located at a much higher elevation than the town itself, so they were able to gravity feed the water to the town for distribution. I wonder how many towns actually have that situation?

For those not familiar with "One Second After", the premise of the book is that some unknown enemy detonates an EMP device above the US and destroys the power grid. If you want to find out if that's a realistic scenario, Google the name "Peter Pry" and see what he has to say about it. Interesting, but scary stuff. Dr. Pry has testified before Congress about this stuff. If he's anywhere close to being correct, we could be really screwed. I don't think it's a stretch to think that N. Korea is looking at this as a way to bring us to our knees. I don't think we have to worry too much about the Chinese doing it to us (who would buy their junk if they destroyed us?), but that pesky little feller in N. Korea would love to show the world his "power".

Now, back to your regularly scheduled TBN thread....

 

[SirReal63]

The EMP is unfortunately one of the things that could become a reality. Our old grid infrastructure is very vulnerable and it doesn't take a long range missile to detonate a nuke tweaked for maximum EMP. It is very hard to prep for an EMP, at least to be completely safe from it. It is dependent on how far you are from it, and how strong it is. I admit we are not as prepared for it as I would like to be. I still need to get a spare computer setup for Toni's Tahoe, but we do have two old school mechanical IDI diesel Fords now, and the 300 gallon diesel tank is nearing completion. I still need to build a Faraday cage type building to house a spare solar setup as well as the solar generator we do have. I still need to get a spare control module for the Lorentz solar well pump. Fortunately the electronics for it are mounted on the pole, and not in the pump.

I don't really expect a large scale EMP, but with as unsecured as our border is, and the influx of so many people from that area of the world that wants to harm us, it is silly to not at least have it on our minds. Sadly, it is the one thing that can cripple the entire country, and is easily employed.

 

[paulharvey]

I know some people have said a true SHTF scenario is very unlikely, but I think with even a few regional issues, things could start falling apart. What if Katrina and Sandy hit in the same season. Who gets resources, and who does the "powers" decide doesn't? Do "they" decide to take from those "who can spare" and give it to the ones in need?

I know I'm under prepared, especially on the cash point (might be able to scrounge up $20 in small bills and loose change).

I was watching a YouTube video that was talking about survival and tactical training, and they made a good point. What kinda physical shape are you in. They made the point of running 1 mile in full gear. Neither of the guys could do it. Think they had level 3 armor with level 4 inserts, pistol, ar15 w/ 5 mags, ect. Shoot, I'm not in Bad shape, but I don't think I could run a mile in tennis shoes and no gear.

Having a broad, diverse set of skills and knowledge are perhaps the most valuable, and transportable "resource"

 

[Soundguy]

I can't remember if it was a book or movie, but there was a SHTF scenerio where an enemy was poised to attack and merely waited for a good natural disaster to do so. Like attacking during a bat hurricane or winter storm season.. etc.

 

[Mace Canute]

...........There is a reason the life span on people from the 19th century was a lot less than today.

That's a myth. The "maximum human lifespan" is not the same as average "life expectancy"...the maximum human lifespan has remained more or less the same for thousands of years.

 

[paulharvey]

I can't remember if it was a book or movie, but there was a SHTF scenerio where an enemy was poised to attack and merely waited for a good natural disaster to do so. Like attacking during a bat hurricane or winter storm season.. etc.

If you where a 2nd or 3rd world dictator, especially one less reliant on tech (perhaps named Kim?) wouldn't a fairly major solar storm be the perfect cover? If satellites are down even for a few weeks, and global communications are damaged/destroyed or just down, it could allow the dictator to act. That's the kind of thing that moves a once every century event, into something potentially worse. It also could force a regime to do things they really don't want to do. Case in point; WW2, ****** didn't want a war with allies (at least until more like 1942-1944) when he invaded Poland in September of 39. Wars can be used to avoid internal problems, (Saudi Arabia in Afganistan, Iraq, Yemen, ect).

What would have happened if during Sandy, a terrorist decided to blow up a bridge or two, or three.

There have been several attacks on power sub stations in California, but not much news. There was a deliberate major fiber cut out there as well. Don't get me started on how easy it would be to damage huge amounts of telecom infrastructure. All you need is map and post hole diggers.