Survival Preparation - #3 in a series: When SHTF

OP is correct. As it is impossible to prep for all eventualities, one must find a way to know in advance which SHTF situation is actually coming.

Well, unless and until your second-sight is perfected the best you can hope for in prepping is to build, plan, hold family practice/training scenarios and to be vigilant.

I have a close friend that stays locked and loaded 24/7...that will just burn you out in my opinion, and makes for a lonely, paranoid lifestyle.

Look, the reality is that you will always need the basics:
1) Water
2) Food
3) First-Aid
4) Light
5) Protection
6) Heat/Fire source

Now, there are ALWAYS 'what ifs" Don't drive yourself crazy! Close family friends in NOLA that dealt with Katrina learned to keep the gas tanks full in their cars and trucks, they had a get out plan and contingency routes.

People tend to know what issues face them where they live: Earthquakes, Tornado's, Chemical Spills and Petrochemical venting... Think about where you are and the challenges you face. How many ways out do you have from your neighborhood or city? Is your fuel tank full? Do you have a change of clothes and shoes to get you home?

Keep it simple!

Well, the basics are important, sure. But they will only get you so far, and its hard to prepare for all eventualities. How is one supposed to know if they are going to need a gasmask, a geiger counter, or a canoe.

I've been prepping for a few years now, and I'm growing more and more convinced that the most important element is going to be community organization skills. No one will be able to go it alone for very long, no matter what form TSHTF takes.

Correct and exactly my point!

But, what if you live near a nuke power plant? A dosimeter would be an important addition to your bag.

What about if you lived near a petro-chemical plant? I would have a mask and suit in my gear, and plastic sheeting and duct tape in my home.

Live near a river that historically crests well above flood stage? I would have a small row boat and a small gas motor.

See? You are correct about organization...just don't (at first response)count on anyone but yourself.

Any survival plan is better than no plan at all, thats how I see it, especially if your plan has an exit stratagy of a major city if you live in one, thats the last place you want to be if the shit hits the fan because the vast majority of people living in major cities do not have any plan at all and no survival skills, if some major catastrophe were to strike they would just sit in place and wait for the government to save them, if the situation was bad enough and chaos ensued your chances of escape would be slim to none.

When TSHTF, I plan on laying low if possible until the worst of the chaos has passed by, and after that, to tentatively poke my head out and start making some contacts with other survivors.

But communication poses a problem. It is very possible that all telephones, cell phones, electricity lines, and internet lines will be nonfunctional. One possible substitute for these would be a set of good walkie-talkies that run on rechargeable AA batteries and a solar charger for AA batteries.

Correct, and well said. I hate to use an already over-used example, but when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, few were ready, fewer still had ANY idea what to do, and most simply waited for help to arrive.

One should have an exit strategy from ALL of your and the families primary locations. If you have kids at school, how many ways (including through peoples homes and yards) do you know to get to them, or them to meet you at a rally point?

You may know a gazillion ways to and from your work, but what about your wifes/husbands best friends home or work?

See, what I am building on here is this: If you have a number of primary locations that you or your family is typically located when not at home/work (friends, mall, bar you get the idea), you need to know those areas as well, and you MUST (even basically) get the members of your family on board or it becomes a liability of command and control. I will talk more about Communication and Extended Family Survival in another paper.

Last Edited by yep...itsme on 08/31/2010 11:48 AM

ive been watching 'the colony' on discovery channel and its pretty good so far

its not totally accurate cuz they cant let anyone kill each other.....which in real life during high stress situations is a good possibility

but its good on showing what might or could happen

6 people tried to defend thier stuff from a mob of 30.....didnt go so well

1 of them got abducted from the compound and nobody knew for awhile......then she was ransomed for supplies

im surprized to see how well they are doing with what they have aroudn them but it doesnt look very fun....esp the part where they have limited food and water.....nevermind medical supplies and sanitary items

and im someone who fantasizes about having to live in a mad max world with nothing and it really hit home how dificult it would be either alone or with a group

im in fla so we have TSHTF scenario every year with hurricanes so ive been experimenting with different stuff

but its usually just power is out.......and its usually a small local area

but ty for this post......so far its the best ive read

adapt, improvise, overcome

its not what you have its what you DO with what you have

that goes for your brains too

Thanks! Aand I am glad that you train and prep. The more of us there are, the better!

I'm curious, have you posted this someplace before? The reason I'm asking is because when I got p to the part where you brought up the ice storm, a lightbulb went off in my head, and reading the rest of it it felt like I had read something extremely similar before someplace else.

Yes. I post often and on my blog as well as my friends blogs. I have been doing these types of posts for years.

I have seen my work reposted (with and without permission) and really, even though I would prefer at least a link back to my blog, as long as the information gets out there...

It might have been on your blog then. I use Stumbleupon (add on for firefox) and one of my preferences is survivalism, so I get to a lot of site like that. Works out well, I find a lot of stuff I never would have found otherwise.

Keep in mind guys,....the first causality in battle is the plan.
research local indigenous food sources, then practice gathering and storing, then practice some more. or...( here it comes) acquire a taste for human flesh!

I'm digging this survival prep series...kutgw!

You're last tip, I'd never do that. Well, maybe if a group of people attacked me and I won and I was starving, but I would never kill someone just to eat them, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I do have a few books of all the local edible/medicinal plants in my area. Have beaches a 5 minute walk away, so I can fish, a lot of woods, so there is also game. I haven't practiced storing my own food yet, keep meaning to but never get around to it.

That is why you drill, train, drill and then drill some more!

Good! You have a solid grasp of your surroundings. Build on that, and start to implement a plan.

Its not a tip...its what those who stored a closet full of food will have to do when they run out, and you will eventually run out, got a 2 year supply? what happens in 2 years?...
U.S has a ton of readily available food sources , true some needs processing, but it's there for the taking...
" The more you know the less you need"

Thanks! I have made a post that will list the links to the entire series of posts, and will add the links as they are built.
I asked for a pin of that paticular thread, but it appears the mods prefer to pin 'different' ones instead.

Please keep reading, and let me know if there are any questions.

You'd be surprised what you would do if you are hungry enough, hell, their are people in N. Korea that are turning to cannibalism because the only alternative is tree bark. If the worst case senario were to come true like a large meteor impact, supervolcano, solar flare, or some such thing that would stunt plant growth and kill off large numbers of animal life, well, you do what you gotta do, or die, thats the other alternative.

Last Edited by nongboo on 08/31/2010 03:10 PM

In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore Roosevelt

Emergencies exist in many forms. From simple short term power outages, to home fires that can displace you from your place of residence for a few days or forever. Weather takes its toll in many different styles. I have been on roads that have been closed in the middle of a trip due to ice and snow, and my three day pack made the seventeen hour dead-stop in freezing weather bearable. Because of planning and training, I had food, water, blankets and a car candle as well as entertainment. As a nine year old, my family was completely snowed in once, and lucky for us Dad had just filled the heating fuel tank and the pantry was stocked. In the 90’s, VERY heavy rains flooded my neighborhood and we were without any power for four days. The next block over the dark lasted for almost twice as long! I had food, lights and security.

Survival isn’t always about a rifle, a pack and evading a group of zombies! Sometimes it’s as simple as a hot beverage and a roll of toilet paper!

In the case of a true, solid map changing emergency, it’s often good to have plans to evacuate your primary residence if need be and if there are no other options. For my family and I, we really don’t have many options due mainly to extended family in the area among other ‘issues’. I have wondered how realistic a “bug out” is for me and my family, and what our options may be, so, here we go…

If I am anything, I am resourceful. Transplant me into the suburbs, the inner city, doesn’t matter, I’ll make it with whatever I can. Don’t get me wrong, I’d prefer to be way, way out as long as I have resources. The problem is that there is a REASON there are no houses out in the middle of the desert: it’s very difficult to live out there.

In most cases, places where there are no people are places that people don’t want to be, usually. Essentially what I am saying is that you must find a happy medium. There is typically an optimum place to be. That place is not in the most remote, desolate place in the country. It probably isn’t the most lush, green valley either because that’s probably where everyone will try to go.

Many people when confronted with someone that intends to ‘bug in’ within the suburbs simply say, “Dude, You’re dead!.” They’ll simply dismiss the idea and walk away. There are definable disadvantages to a suburban bug in when compared to a more rural, cached safe-house.

Let’s first examine why the suburbs are there. They are there because there is a city nearby. The city is noisy and crowded and often stinky and crime ridden, however, the city has JOBS! The suburbs are there because the city has jobs but is often a less than optimal place to live. However, WTSHTF, the cities are not what they were. Literally, they are no longer cities, they can become “Shities”. They will become nothing but miles of human garbage and filth. Massive sewage backups when the processing machinery and lift pumps stall, and no one to police the piles of garbage that will grow….and that includes the two-legged variety.

So now, after the emergency event the reason for the creation of the ‘burbs is gone. But now, many of the people will be gone too. It could be also true that your neighbors left and you’ll have new neighbors (squatters) and I’m betting they won’t be interested in helping you trim your hedge, or secure your perimeter.

The biggest problem with the suburbs is that you will be a target for looting. One way this can be fixed by trashing your own place. Board up the windows and spray paint the crapola out of it. Make it look like the last place you’d want to either loot or squat in. Break out your association’s manual (assuming you have a home owners association or group). Take it step by step. Whatever they say not to do, that’s probably what you want to do. All joking aside, a nice looking place amongst a bunch of trashed out places will be encircled and attacked repeatedly until they (the looters) get everything they want. Make it look uninviting and uninhabitable. If there are FEMA “X”’s painted on other doors, paint one on yours. Cheap WalMart rattle cans should be in your stores anyway. (yet another discussion for another day)

Since there may be many other people around, probably from the war zone of overflowing toilets formerly known as “The City”, you’ll need security. Typically that means a firearm. A 12 guage, a pistol and a battle rifle is a great start. While a guy out in the wilderness could really get along with much less armament, in the suburbs, I’d go with a top level but drop the need for the longer range arms (30-06, etc) and trade it for another AR or Mini14 or other high rate of fire firearm, maybe even an additional large caliber pistol. Also, add 150% to the ammo stocks. You might very well need it. The bottom line is, use what you have, but look for better. You might already have dads hand-me-down .22, which might be fine for shooting the odd squirrel or other pest (read into this what you will), but believe me, some piece of crap comes calling and you answer with a clean M4 that you have trained with…you win. I recently picked up two M4 lowers (stripped) for $50 each, new from the mfg. Deals are out there, you simply have to pry yourself away from American Idol or internet porn long enough to actually look!

To those lower receivers, I added a lower parts kit from Colt ($55 each) and MagPul stock and trigger guards, and Ergo grips. Now I have enough completed M4’s in my safes to outfit a fire team if need be. Upper receivers are available in a variety of calibers: 22, 4-10 shotgun, 9mm, 45cal, 50BMG, and 5.56. Others are available, but may need a different lower (think 7.62) I will get further into weapons in a different paper.

I see one of the main difference between a remote bug out and a suburban bug in is that you’ll have to live inside almost the whole time. Outside the human wolves will be looking for anything they can devour. I think the thing I would do is make sure I had a basement but make it look like I didn’t. No windows, no outside access and then once TSHTF, modify the inside so there appeared to be no access. Retreat to there and just stay there until it’s over. Essentially, find a crack in the rock and stay there until the danger passes.

In my opinion, suburban bug in as a temporary measure only. It is doable if you have a basement or a bunker you can hide in. Maybe even above ground will work if the house is brick and you can securely board up the windows and the doors are heavy enough to secure. Once things start coming back, you’d probably be OK. If you store enough food and energy to get you through the emergency you can then come out of hiding and start working with whomever or whatever gets things under control. However, in a TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) situation, I do not see a suburban bug in as doable. Eventually you will run out of water, power and food. Even if you have 10 years worth, someone with bigger guns and more ammo will eventually find you and take it. Once the wolves see the light and smell the food cooking, you may be screwed. The same dangers exist in the wilderness. Ever sit by a nice cozy campfire and have someone walk up on you? Your night vision has been compromised, and if someone has encircled your camp, outside the light of the fire, you may never see them! Camp and Home Base security I will cover at another time…these reports are an exercise to get you thinking on your feet.

Another problem is the political implications. In the suburbs you really do have a good chance of getting a one way ticket to camp FEMA. Now, before you start to think that I am sitting here at my computer wearing a Tin-Foil hat, understand the way Governments exercise MANDATORY EVACUATIONS… the do-gooder Government WILL round people up. It may not be nefarious in nature, but they will require you to leave because they don’t think you have the resources to survive, even if you do. And if you show them you do, they will confiscate your accumulated supplies, AND during Katrina, weapons were taken (illegally I might add!), I’m sure, “for the greater good.”

In the initial stages staying in your suburban bug-out location will require hiding from the authorities.

If they are painting black Xs on the doors, after they evacuate people, be sure to have the same spray paint and paint yours the same one night when they get close. Then, if they still bust down the door, hide. If they find you, shoot to kill. They are invaders. One of the things you’ll find is the wolves will find ways to get army “costumes” and police “costumes” and they con people into giving their stuff up to “The Authorities”. They’ll be looking for you. I am not stretching the truth. Look into history and learn from it.

They can do ME’s and confiscations in most areas if it's a declared state of emergency. Honestly, many State, county and city governments can do a lot of things if it's a state of emergency - including prohibiting open carry/transportation of firearms, prohibiting the sale of gas/ammo/guns/alcohol, instituting a curfew, placing restrictions on where/when you can drive. In some areas these things are automatic when the government declares an emergency while in others they are simply an option.

These sorts of laws are called a "state of exception." It's a political science term that describes a process which circumvents limits on state power and abuse. Basically, this provision permits the state (in times identified as "crisis moments") to act outside the constraints of law, permitting the state to adopt extreme measures in its own defense. It’s implied that in a crisis - rights are a luxury we cannot afford nor can the state trust citizens to exercise those rights "properly." It seems the "state of exception" has its historical roots in British colonial law.

And for those of you who will read my part about confiscation of weapons and then cite "The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006" which was passed after New Orleans got sued for tons of money because they confiscated guns from people after Katrina (check the NRA website for more info on that)...as far as I can tell from The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006, it only prohibits the confiscation of weapons by officers being funded by emergency funds...so, I guess that means the National Guard - not necessarily local cops. So, the local cops will take your guns and FEMA will take your food...and then ship you off to a camp….again, for your own good I am sure.

If you doubt some of this, look up the State Emergency Health Powers Act, for one, then look up you particular States emergency powers laws under martial law, and then try and find your cities emergency city plan for evacuation or control and tell me then how you feel.

So, after all this, if you think good times are returning, go ahead and bug in and hunker down to wait it out. But, if you think its TEOTWAWKI bug out! You have been listening to me hard about contingency plans, haven’t you? I don’t think growing a garden in the back yard will be possible, at least for long. Also you have to plan for weather. Its fine to pack seeds, but what if TSHTF in the dead of winter? There are people out there that will not want you to make it and will destroy whatever you create (or take it for themselves). …and who can blame them? When it comes to life or death situations: Always cheat. Always win.

So, in summary, suburban bug in, long term, TEOTWAIKI...forget it, unless you own a defunct missle base (my personal goal! lol!)

Short term? It’s doable, and is a optimnal choice if that is where a solid relief effort is staged. People tend to move away from the problem and migrate toward a 'solution'. Again, think about Katrina. Houston took a large number of the problem individuals as refuges and the metro crime rate actually went up!

The problem if you decide to Bug-In then arises when you get a temporary YOYO (Your On Your Own) and you’re doing OK, but, now you realize, "OOPS! This is a long term situation!". Now what are you going to do? Are you are trapped? The roads will be a mess. There will most likely be people gunning for anything that moves. The only way you can probably get out is with an armored vehicle and lots and lots of gas. But, where are you going to go? River bridges will either be destroyed or require BIG crossing fees, or you’ll just get ambushed and looted.

Seriously, if you think it might possibly be TEOTWAWKI, you’re better off bugging-out than sleeping in a cardboard box because someone took your home.

We will talk about leaving home for greener pastures in another installment.

Thanks again for reading, and as always-
More Later...

Last Edited by yep...itsme on 09/01/2010 05:18 PM

Very nice man, keep it coming. Alot of people could use this info, whether or not they put it into practice is up to them, but its good that you're putting it out there.

CB Radios....solar panels and portable antenna.

Abundant and easy to use.

10 meter hams also useful....but require license.
BUT....who cares if TEOTWAWKI anyway...TPTB will have bigger problems than your illegal set.

Last Edited by Useless Cookie Eater on 09/01/2010 03:21 AM

Thank you, I hope it helps someone!

Yes, I will be covering comms in another report soon to follow.

Very helpful list of edible plants w/ pictures:
[link to www.wilderness-survival.net]
In survival camp I learned that priorities went in the following order:
1. Shelter
2. Water
3. Fire (may be needed for water)
4. Food

Nice, thanks for adding a very useful link! We should talk sum_peeps...if you have an account that can e-mail me here, please do so!

To all, because I have been asked twice now:
The plan for these posts I am making is to have a single thread for each basic issue and a separate thread showing all links to each report including links to external sites for more information and/or suppliers of quality goods.

Basically, I plan on posting the following reports:
1) Water - How much do I need?
{posted and adding currently}
2) Food - What should I carry, what should I cache?
3) Prepping Primer - Where Do I Start?
4) Communications -Staying in touch
5) When SHTF
{posted and adding currently}
6) The Bug out Bag
{posted and adding currently}
7) Personal security - its easier than you think!
8) Clothing
9) Reading material- and you thought school was over!
10)Survival - Can I take my iPod and mini DVD?

So, thats the general idea, and they aren't listed in any particular order. My hope is that if you are already a prepper, I might give you some ideas that you might not have thought of, and if you are new to disaster preparation it can give you a solid foundation to which you can build.

If you like this series and would like me to continue, please help me keep it on page one as the mods seem to often pin everything except something that can actually help someone.

Jessie

Last Edited by yep...itsme on 09/02/2010 10:20 AM