Doomsday Preppers unite...or segregate, whichever is safer.

After an afternoon of watching Nat Geo's Doomsday Preppers show, I got to wondering. How many of these SR guys are prepping for a world changing event? Now just having 140 razors, and 65 soaps doesn't mean you're prepping fellahs! :p SO be honest..You got anything layed by in case of disaster?

On a different note, how many of you are irritated that the science fiction channel changed their name to syfy, and the national geographic channel changed their name to natgeo? I swear we're getting dumber by the day...And I'm not even sure dumber is a word. Which totally proves my point.

Other than a good selection of wines, beer and the odd vintage cheese, I guess I'm pretty much unprepared for that kind of stuff;)

It depends what you mean by a "world changing" event. I downloaded the Kindle App onto my Android phone the other day in preparation for the day when the Kindle app is no longer available on the android market....

No, I am not preparing for any doomsday event. I am completely banking on the government recognising my genius and giving me one of the 500 invites to the specially built arc currently sitting in dry dock somewhere in the Himalayas.

James.

While not prepping for "doomsday", I've always got a survival pack ready, mainly for when I go hiking and such. It has rain gear, two different fire starters and light kindling, a pocket knife, a boot knife, 500 ft of paracord, water purification tablets, first aid kit, etc... I've had one packed ever since my boy scout days. Might not ever need anything in it, but it is good to have just in case.

Actually, that is a good point Theseus. We always have an emergency kit (bush fire mainly) sitting ready and updated downstairs to be grabbed at a moment's notice. We also have an emergency list telling us what documents to grab and where they are located around the house if we have time.

My wife is the National Advisor for Emergencies, so we are always organised on that score.

James.

I've got my MacGyver Limited Edition Swiss Army Knife, a roll of duct tape, and a case of Kokanee. BRING IT ON!

I was born ready. I don't need anything other than my own, hard as nails, wiry bushmans body and my trusty knife. All I need to do is find where I last had that knife and the body I mentioned. I seem to have hidden the body under a layer or to of excess weight...And the knife...Damn it I know I have one around here somewhere! :)


Mick

Go Bags or Bug out Bags are pretty common for those of us that live far out of town,, In fact most of us that live in the boonies tend to be a bit better "Prepped" then most city dwellers.. Also most hunters tend to have a kit with 3 days of survival rations and gear always ready..

A bad Snow or Rain storm can easily trap us for days, so we always have food, water and supplies..

That show is rather good EXCEPT the reasons they give for being prepared those are just for ratings I hope

You are a man I wouldn't want to come across if "Doomsday" happens.

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

I've got my MacGyver Limited Edition Swiss Army Knife, a roll of duct tape, and a case of Kokanee. BRING IT ON!

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Earthquakes are the only thing to worry about in my local,got plenty of water.propane stove,extra fuel,freezer full of stuff.
After 3 days the Government will be here to take care of us:)

I keep more survival gear that I'll probably even require in a bug-out bag.
I have 4 very nice knives strategically dispersed around my home and vehicle, one always on my body of course.

A .22 and 30-06 with enough ammo to feed and protect my family if we're ever REALLY buggered.

I'm not planning for the end of the world, but certainly for an inevitable disaster.

Remember the video clips of Katrina? Well, that's what it's going to be like permanently. Are you ready for the howling mob when it turns down your street?

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Originally Posted by jbtusa

Remember the video clips of Katrina? Well, that's what it's going to be like permanently. Are you ready for the howling mob when it turns down your street?

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Freakin A right red rider,I have 1000 rnds ready to roll,two browning A 5s (no plugs, improved cyl)at 25 yrds I will be taking out 9 at a pop,I am Ready.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...one/a5buck.jpg

Well about all I can add for some of you is be sure to save a round for each family member present, your dogs and yourself.

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Originally Posted by lz6

Well about all I can add for some of you is be sure to save a round for each family member present, your dogs and yourself.

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My Dawgs will fend for themselves,My wife (my reloader)and I will go down not by our hand.
In the words of one of my heros (waylon Jennings) I may be old,I may be used,but I am NOT used up.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Earthquakes are the only thing to worry about in my local,got plenty of water.propane stove,extra fuel,freezer full of stuff.
After 3 days the Government will be here to take care of us:)

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Of course they will, they did such a fine job when Katrina hit Louisiana!

I watched all the episodes of Doomsday Preppers. I have educated myself on preparedness since Hurricane Andrew hit us. I felt the Prepper episodes were an embarrassment to all individuals who take surviving seriously. Nat. Geo. mocked the topic by taking the extreme examples of the nuts that live among us for ratings. I will admit I picked up a few items of interest on some of the episodes.

I have on hand the following for my son & I:
Drinking Water (sealed & stored) for 2 1/2 months.
Food- 2 meals a day for 5 months
Medical supplies.
Weapons, of course, training with all on the list, twice a year.
Select tools & equipment at a state of ready.
NBC pack for "3" individuals, ALWAYS accessible within 2 minutes.
Neck Safes for 2 (my son & I)
A GHB (Get-Home-Bag) in the vehicle at all times.
1-Life Pack ( I'm not too crazy about the term Bug Out Bag)
A handheld GPS with "3" evacuation routes already programmed, from South Florida to Texas.

3 written evacuation plans with alotted time limits of 20 minutes, 1 hour & 24 hours.
A shelter in place plan.

....thanks to Birnando, I made a case like his for my hones, just snatch them and go.

Being prepared for natural disasters is a good thing.
A lot of useful stuff can be learned from shows like that.
Too bad that they trot out the nutters for ratings, like the guy who dedicated his life to prepping for a nuke going off right above Omaha of all places.

I tell ya which show really had some good "Survival" stuff for the coming Zombie Apocalypse" was the one called "The Colony" besides the stupid stuff for ratings,(the bad guys attacking) many of the actual things that were built were very good..



ps: I use the term "Zombie Apocalypse" jokingly now to show that it doesn't really matter what the cause actually is, a simple cutoff from electricity and essential services can create turmoil..

We keep a ready bag w/ three days of essentials and tools to make due for longer if needed. We watched the 'Preppers' for a while but I lost interest quickly. Some good stuff if ya have the time to filter through the BS.

A couple of emergency relief agencies around North America posted up some zombie apocalypse survival guides because if you're prepared for one of those, you're prepared for just about anything that can come your way.

It has sorta become the catch all phrase on being prepared, I find it in a joking way alleviates the dumb scenarios that they portray on shows like Doomsday Preppers...

If you say something like the Financial Crisis or a Solar Flare, or a EMP attack or whatever, people tend to start explaining the odds against that happening, instead of realizing that being prepared is the end goal, and the reason is of no consequence

It would be realistic here to be stranded for up to three days and be without power for a week.
I have at least a month's supply of food and redundant water sources that will work without electricity.

Beyond that in terms of 'survival' - I have long been a believer in self-sufficiency. I used to think myself a survivalist, but I think that means something different today. I am more of a homesteader - I don't live off grid, but it wouldn't be a huge transition. The major thing I lack is enough land to have a sustainable farm.

In the event of a disaster which throws us back to the 1800's most of us are going to die anyway - including the preppers.

I was on a board for awhile where this was being discussed. I thought it was amusing how many people have a romanticized view of what it would be like to have a TEOTWAWKI type of event.
Also, most of them, IMO, focus too much on supplies and not enough on skills.

Really good points Eric, and mostly overlooked ones :)

There was a special on Finances I wasted time watching about buying Gold and Silver after 45 minutes of Sales Pitch BS there was one small nugget of good info...

The most valuable commodity if there is overall fail is 20 acres of Farmland and the Heirloom seeds to grow food... You of course need to be able to protect that food too :p

Yeah. It would also be good to have some experience with crop farming before being in a situation where your life depends on it.

Try learning some cropping skills by making yourself a bit of a back yard veggie patch. Might not be possible for those without backyards, but you could always get a few larger pots and plant a few different veggie's in them to get an experience of what it might take to do it large scale. Just a thought on that anyway. May not be feasible.


Mick

My wife and I have the skills to survive and get by off the land.

Problem is, where I am now, it would be pretty much impossible. If we were to have a TEOTWAWKI type of event, we might be able to make it out of the burbs.

If not? It'll be noisy when they come to try to take what I've got. ;) THey may end up with my junk, but they'll pay a hefty price. If not? Won't matter to me because my old ass will be dead. :p

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Originally Posted by Wullie

My wife and I have the skills to survive and get by off the land.

Problem is, where I am now, it would be pretty much impossible. If we were to have a TEOTWAWKI type of event, we might be able to make it out of the burbs.

If not? It'll be noisy when they come to try to take what I've got. ;) THey may end up with my junk, but they'll pay a hefty price. If not? Won't matter to me because my old ass will be dead. :p

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Which is why I live on a BIG lake...

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Which is why I live on a BIG lake...

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LOL, BUT it gets too cold up there for me. :p

If the idiots in charge can hold it together for 5 more years, I'll leave the burbs of my own free will. If not? Oh well.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...01/PICSA66.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/95969024/molon_labe_dare.jpg

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Originally Posted by MickR

Try learning some cropping skills by making yourself a bit of a back yard veggie patch.

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Yes!
It's amazing how many people have seeds for survival, and have never even planted a garden.
Also be sure to harvest and retain seeds for replanting next year, and to preserve some of your veggies. For bonus points use wax seals that you make yourself.
(afterall - after TEOTWAWKI you probably won't be able to get rubber seals at the store)

The point I'm trying to make is that being truly prepared is virtually endless.
So many preppers have some seeds and a bunch of cans in a bunker and feel all warm and fuzzy.
There's nothing wrong with that - because it will take them and their family through any disaster that's realistically likely to happen.

Those that want to be prepped for a return to 1850, on the other hand...

If you plan on hunting to obtain protein - have you given any thought to the fact that MANY other people who don't normally hunt are planning on the same? Animal numbers will be low, and they will be skittish. Hunting is not going to be easy. I always felt good about the fact that I could go out and get my own meat anytime if I needed to. When I consider that millions of concrete dwellers will be flooding out of the urban areas hoping to do the same - it kind of brings my odds down a bit.
I think if some kind of teotwawki ever did happen I would try to buy or barter for some chickens very early on. Basically I'd get as much livestock as possible. (if I had the land for it, I'd have livestock right now) Hell, if I had a big prep bunker, I might even try to get some tranquilizer darts stockpiled. When the event happens, I'd go dart some deer before everyone else kills them all.
Afterall - the BEST way to preserve meat is to keep it alive.

The whole point here is that to be prepared for something like that - it's much deeper than the surface stuff. There are a lot of contingencies to deal with.
Go through your day - and think about everything you use - could you replace it or make a substitute for it if it's something you would need?
Stockpiling stuff in a bunker is nice. Being able to actually make or source it is better.

I believe my odds would be better than most in a scenario like that, and I'd still only give myself a 50/50 shot of surviving it.
I used to worry about it. I don't anymore.
I let other people worry about it.

If it happens, I'll just find someone who is really well prepared and shoot them from a distance. :p

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Originally Posted by HNSB

If you plan on hunting to obtain protein - have you given any thought to the fact that MANY other people who don't normally hunt are planning on the same? Animal numbers will be low, and they will be skittish.

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But what about this extra protein who lacks skills at hunting for other protein? I know cannibalism is not supposed to be kosher, but if it's a zombie apocalypse you may end up with the choice of changing your morals or going the way of the dodo :)

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Originally Posted by HNSB

If it happens, I'll just find someone who is really well prepared and shoot them from a distance. :p

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Exactly - those who can adapt best to the new situation would have the best chance to pass on their genes further :)

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Yes!
It's amazing how many people have seeds for survival, and have never even planted a garden................................
:p

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Plant'em ?? :gaah:
You mean I gotta go out and buy dirt now?? :confused:

This thread is boardering on being tottaly wack.JMO

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

This thread is boardering on being tottaly wack.JMO

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Elaborate...

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Elaborate...

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And bring donuts. :p

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Originally Posted by HNSB

It would be realistic here to be stranded for up to three days and be without power for a week.
I have at least a month's supply of food and redundant water sources that will work without electricity.

Beyond that in terms of 'survival' - I have long been a believer in self-sufficiency. I used to think myself a survivalist, but I think that means something different today. I am more of a homesteader - I don't live off grid, but it wouldn't be a huge transition. The major thing I lack is enough land to have a sustainable farm.

In the event of a disaster which throws us back to the 1800's most of us are going to die anyway - including the preppers.

I was on a board for awhile where this was being discussed. I thought it was amusing how many people have a romanticized view of what it would be like to have a TEOTWAWKI type of event.
Also, most of them, IMO, focus too much on supplies and not enough on skills.

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I'm learning to be a blacksmith so I'm good :)
However, you are right. In such an event, the majority of the people will die off. If we fall back to 1800s society, we can only sustain 1800s technology and an 1800s population. One way or another that means 90% of all humanity snuffs it, and while preparation will make a difference, a lot of it will be luck.

If you are a small family living on 20 acres, fully prepared for everything, then you'll still have to deal with things you cannot control.
If you live close to a major city when the teotwawki event takes place, there will be millions of people (the have nots) vs you (the haves). You'll lose everything, just by sheer numbers. If you get an infection or disease that is normally curable but you don't have a doctor or medicine, you'll die. If you don't have a small community to keep the gene pool healthy, you'll die out from inbreeding. The list goes on :)

Screw you all!! I've seen Mad Max! When the time comes, I'm getting in my nitro charged Falcon and heading for the outback. We don't need another hero!

James.

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

When the time comes, I'm getting in my nitro charged Falcon and heading for the outback.

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Just so happens we have one of those in the shed being rebuilt right now (well, its an ongoing project... but we have one). Complete with the appropriate 5.8 litre V8 goodness :D

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Screw you all!! I've seen Mad Max! When the time comes, I'm getting in my nitro charged Falcon and heading for the outback. We don't need another hero!

James.

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Yeah, or you could go to the "other" side. Be the barbarian guy in the nitro dune buggy covered in cow hides with a big moron chained to the hood wearing assless chaps!! Well, maybe that would be pushing it a bit, I loved the Mad Max/Road Warrior films. I always have wanted a Post Apocolypse crazy dune buggy, perhaps someday. And, please don't send applications of your'selves in your chaps!

But I really enjoy assless chaps.

Wait....that didn't come out the way I intended... [that's what she said]

James.