Thread: "Prepping": What's the idea?

I don't mean prepping for a shave. I mean "Prepping" as in stocking up on supplies and basic needs for survival.

As I sit here swatting the many mosquitoes that made their way into house during the day I was thinking more about prepping.

I'm confused about something; Would it be a fair statement to say that people who prep do so in an attempt to outfit themselves such that their odds of survival will increase? Simply put, prepare in ways that you think will help you live longer.

The confusing part: I've seen preppers on youtube that seem very unhealthy; some are morbidly obese, etc. What's the point of creating a battalion sized stockpile of food, ammo, etc if your odds of dying prematurely due to heart attack, etc based on your health is off the charts? It seems short sighted to me.

ChrisL

The idea is to have supplies should the normal supply line stop. Earthquake, Hurricane, falling government/economy, civil war, what ever comes along you are prepared to eat sleep and protect yourself no matter what. It's like insurance only in tangible goods you stockpile on your own.

I understand it to be normal practice for a Morman to have 1 years supply. I have had relatives who stock piled canned goods and things like salt flour soaps. Think "lived through the depression".

Originally Posted by ChrisL

As I sit here swatting the many mosquitoes that made their way into house during the day I was thinking more about prepping.

C'mon Chris, that is the Minnesota state bird !

Funny you bring this up, a good friend of mine, worked with him 18 years before we retired, is one of those guys. Not obese at all but a survivalist. He has a stockpile of ammo and chases more, maybe two dozen magazines for his ARs among other armaments. Body armor, freeze dried food ...... water. Anyway, I used to think he was stark raving mad when he'd talk about the omelet hitting the fan.

Past few years have changed my mind somewhat. I could see anarchy happening, at least for awhile, before the LEOs, national guard, got it under control with martial law. It is just the interim that you have to worry about. So I was telling my pastor about my friend. He chuckled in amusement. He pointed out that my buddy could be in his house, decked out in his body armor, magazines loaded and ready around him ....... one Molotov cocktail on the roof or through the window and game over.

As for me, I have ammo and some firepower but not for that scenario. I just like shooting. Targets BTW. I'm reminded of what Bobby Kennedy, then Attorney General, told his kids during the Cuban missile crisis. His kids asked why they didn't go to the bunker under the White House in case of nuclear war.

RFK told the kids that if Armageddon happened those who died would be better off than those who survived. Pleasant dreams.

I myself have enough soaps, creams, and aftershave to last for years after the apocalypse

I happen to be a very low level prepper. I have food and water for the family for about one month and a gas generator. Working on putting a good first aid kit together and a few other basics. I favor the view of be prepared for natural disasters and lack of government services for an extended period. Think Fukishima scenario. As far as the obese preppers, it's easier to pay money to live a lifestyle than to actually walk the walk.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

The confusing part: I've seen preppers on youtube that seem very unhealthy; some are morbidly obese, etc. What's the point of creating a battalion sized stockpile of food, ammo, etc if your odds of dying prematurely due to heart attack, etc based on your health is off the charts? It seems short sighted to me.

Fat is just energy storage, so when resources are scarce a person with more fat would theoretically outlive one with less.

Or for more conventional explanation you could consider that a common perception about obese people is that they are weak-minded, lacking self-discipline and willpower, thus stocking resources for a SHTF scenario could be a reaction to that weakness and insecurity; i.e. they are fulfilling the need to to feel in charge and control of something even if it's just an imaginary scenario.

Or a third option would be to consider that people are very inconsistent and that's part of life. May be somebody doesn't care if he suffers a heart attack next week/month/year but at the same time is completely terrified at the possibility that grocery stores and restaurants are closed for a few days.

I think different people are likely different, so even if two people look the same and make the same choices, their motivations could be drastically different. My money is that the largest fraction is motivated by crowd-type mentality - especially these days with the internet as it currently is there isn't anything easier than to surround yourself with only reinforcement of your thoughts/beliefs.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

RFK told the kids that if Armageddon happened those who died would be better off than those who survived. Pleasant dreams.

Sounds about right to me.

Bob

The word itself, "prepping" has taken on a negative tone with the extreme examples on T.V. & the internet.
A person who leaves a set balance in their checking account, should some unexpected needs occur before the next paycheck, is prepping,,,,,,,a person who carries a set of jumper cables in his vehicle is prepping,,,,,,, a parent who takes advantage of the pre-school sales to stock up on school supplies for the coming school year is prepping,,,,,,,,,, a six hundred pound guy with a room full of Twinkies & eight assault rifles is prepping,,,, you get the point.

Living in a part of the world where natural & man-made disasters occur, I have experienced the problems that come with being unprepared,,, so I prep. The last PITA hurricane that hit us, left the area without electricity, gas, food for about 2 weeks,,, my prepping included a generator, food, water,,,etc. ,,,, that kept "3" apartments/condos running, basically a 2 week vacation with no where to go.

Keeping the body fit is vital,,,,,,, keeping fit & "prepping" is wise,,,,,,,

Youtube is amazing. I saw this cartoon approximately 60 years ago one time and I've never forgotten it. I had forgotten the political overtones, if I even understood them at the time, but it is apropos to this thread I think ;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZvPU2HpLGo

I have enough Hostess Ho-Hos to last me for two years. I've dug a tunnel that leads to my nearest Krispy Kreme, so I'm good to go.