How many preparations have you made?

[Andrew-Austin]

Just thought this would be a good poll to start this section off.

To elaborate on the question, how much preparations have you made for a "end of the world as we know it" scenario. Say if/when the dollar collapses and society falls into chaos, there are food shortages, and the government starts imposing martial law. Whatever scenario you think is most probable.

Have you stockpiled on food, precious metals, ammo, etc.
Have you resources like a well and garden, etc.


----

BTW,

SHTF = shit hits the fan
EOTWAWKI = end of the world as we know it

No I didn't make those up, I've seen them used some.

[amy31416]

Just thought this would be a good poll to start this section off.

To elaborate on the question, how much preparations have you made for a "end of the world as we know it" scenario. Say if/when the dollar collapses and society falls into chaos, there are food shortages, and the government starts imposing martial law. Whatever scenario you think is most probable.

Have you stockpiled on food, precious metals, ammo, etc.
Have you resources like a well and garden, etc.

Hooray, it's here!

Good way to start it off.

[OptionsTrader]

Personally, I think you want to focus on the barter currency, and buy what you need with it when the SHTF.

[amy31416]

Personally, I think you want to focus on the barter currency, and buy what you need with it when the SHTF.

What do you think the barter currency would be in that scenario?

[OptionsTrader]

What do you think the barter currency would be in that scenario?

Silver for foor, water, bullets, and fuel.

Gold for cars, motorcycles, guns, and houses.

[amy31416]

Silver for foor, water, bullets, and fuel.

Gold for cars, motorcycles, guns, and houses.

That's kinda what I thought. Thanks!

[Andrew-Austin]

Silver for foor, water, bullets, and fuel.

Gold for cars, motorcycles, guns, and houses.

What if food is so scare, people only want to deal in hard resources.

I mean, you can't eat silver.

[OptionsTrader]

What if food is so scare, people only want to deal in hard resources.

I mean, you can't eat silver.

There are books and papers that describe why a community of people have naturally trended to the use of a currency for trade over bartering perishable goods.

[Dieseler]

Good neighbors will be worth more than their weight in gold.
Get to know them.

[Kludge]

Long-lasting Food, cases of bottled water, solar chargers, iPod, porn, gold, Ayn Rand books, gun, ammo.

Bring it on!

[pcosmar]

I have a decent start but much to do yet.
I have 20 acres, I am far from target areas or large cities.
I have garden areas, but they could be expanded. I have multi fuel capabilities.
I have wells for water,and the woods are full of game.
Still working on it.

[MsDoodahs]

There are books and papers that describe why a community of people have naturally trended to the use of a currency for trade over bartering perishable goods.

Key being trended to...

Until the use of a currency for trade is re-established, barter items might come in handy.

It's great to have some gold and silver, but I'm with Andrew. Folks don't EAT gold and silver. In the near term, having some stuff to use for barter is not a bad idea IMO.

Think of being prepared to trade something of an "immediate need" nature in exchange for getting one of your "immediate needs" fulfilled.

Cigarettes, liquor, beer, coffee, coffee filters...the addictive stuff might be a good way to go.

OTOH, will the woman with two backyard hens five houses down from you be willing to trade 6 eggs for liquor? Maybe...but then again...maybe not, so...

Candles, matches, batteries, bleach/other household chemicals, sewing needles...

:)

MsD

[Cowlesy]

If I can leave NYC and hit Jersey, the rest is gravy for this eagle scout ;)

[Roxi]

i have an "apocalypse bag" which i have been filling up for a while now.... its a small hiking pack but i am going to be upgrading my bag soon to a bigger hiking pack... I also have lots of fishing/camping supplies, I will soon be working on a food box as well.... one thing i don't have.... a good car... i want to buy a jeep or xterra or similar vehicle and maybe just an ATV, although that would be much harder to pack.... unless i got a BAAAADAAAASSS one (ill do that if i win the lottery :D)

im not completely prepared but i could live in the woods for a few weeks and survive okay


one thing i would suggest is to get the minimum of what you would need and go camping for the weekend as a test run, the easiest way to find out what you don't have is to need it :D

[asgardshill]

i have an "apocalypse bag" which i have been filling up for a while now.... its a small hiking pack but i am going to be upgrading my bag soon to a bigger hiking pack...

The "bugout bag" I keep in the truck is inside a 12.5 x 7.5 x 9 " military surplus ammo box. I mounted it underneath the truck on the frame near where the spare tire is so it doesn't rattle around in the bed or otherwise get in the way. Grossly overengineered by Uncle Sam, its perfect for what I use it for, and its got a handle so I can lug it if I get stranded. As long as I keep the consumables swapped out every couple of years, they don't go bad and the box is sealed well with silicone and silica gel inside anyway.

With some strategic deletions, here's what I keep in my bugout bag.

alcohol (for stove)
can opener
candles
cloth (for slings, etc.)
cup
document pack (copies of important paperwork, passport, etc.)
duct tape
dust mask
eyeglass repair kit
eyeglasses, spare
filter paper
fire starter, magnesium
first aid supplies and med kit (basic, supplemented by the first aid kit in the truck)
fishing kit (hooks, weights, lures, line)
flashlights
foil, aluminum
food and water ("lifeboat" ration bars at 3600 calories, water in retort packaging)
hand sanitizer
hand warmers
hygiene kit
insect repellent
Katadyn Pocket Hiker (treats water)
lighter
lightsticks
matches, waterproof
mess kit
money (including roll of quarters)
mosquito netting
needles
old cell phone (no service but you can still use them to call 911)
paper/pen/pencil
playing cards
poncho
radio (AM/FM/shortwave) with flashlight/generator
rechargeable batteries
rope
safety pins
salt
sewing kit
Swiss Army knife
snare wire
solar battery/cell phone charger
spare keys to house, cars, etc.
sponge
stove, alcohol
tent
toilet paper
tool kit
trash bags
tweezers
water purification tablets
whistle
wipes, antibacterial
wire saw

I won't say how I found this out, but a hubcap makes a great field-expedient frying pan.

[MsDoodahs]

If you have room for 'em, put a few tampons in your med kit.

They make good plugs for sucking chest wounds.

[amy31416]

If you have room for 'em, put a few tampons in your med kit.

They make good plugs for sucking chest wounds.

Crazy but true. I've read about military applications.

And, beyond that, feminine hygiene products make very good bandages.

MsD, I daresay this subforum is your forte.

[jkm1864]

I have about a years supply of grains, rice, & lentils for my family and the old ladies idiot starving relatives. I have a brand new trusty M1A scout with 1000 rounds FMJ. I need to get a truck, canvas tent, tent stove, dutch oven & accessories , water distiller, water purifier, camping cots & bedding, solar panels, inverter, ham radio, swamp cooler, portable DC fridge.

I have alot of work to do but the damn old lady hinders all my progress by blowing all my damn money and I am a offshore worker so I am screwed.

[asgardshill]

If you have room for 'em, put a few tampons in your med kit.

They make good plugs for sucking chest wounds.

I've got a variety of battle dressings in one of the first aid kits for that, but using tampons is brilliance.

[pcosmar]

I have no plans of bugging out. Even in the Keys I sheltered in place, and made plans accordingly.
When I bought this house I had these things in mind. Wood heat was one of my requirements.
I had a little trouble with home owners insurance, but found reasonable coverage.
It seems most insurance companies don't like wood heat. I found one that didn't mind.
These are mine, and they "sealed the deal" on this house.
Dining Room
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2620476281_59b4a7c3e8.jpg?v=0
Kitchen
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2621299080_de7dd70b3f.jpg?v=0
Basement
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2620473411_6ab7de0e2c.jpg?v=0