What do I *need*?

[Malice]

Ok, as an individual, what do I really really *need* for a SHTF scenario? Without spending a lot of money, of course. This is what I have figured:

1. Several gallons of water.
2. Good ammount of non-perishable food.
3. A first aid kit.
4. Some decent all-purpose duffle bags, backbacks, etc.
5. A good carbine and a supply of ammo. (SKS and 1,000 rounds)
6. Blashlight, batteries.
7. Some good durable clothes (like some slighty-used BDUs at the milsurplus shop :cool: ).

Other than a plan, what else do I really need? An accurized AR-15 with a $500 scope, a Hummer, a house out in some rural area, a bomb shelter, etc. are not real options for me, in an urban/suburban place with a very limited ammount of $ to spare for this kinds stuff.

[R.H. Lee]

OK. I'll play. If you're in a heavily populated area, you might want to plan a way out. I suggest a motorcycle on the railroad tracks, to avoid the inevitable traffic jams, crashes, emergency vehicles, etc. You can carry enough stuff on the bike and in a backpack to get by for a few days. Have a destination planned, and more supplies there.

[strambo]

Pistol (tough to conceal an SKS...might make you a target depending on why the SHTF), some knives, and why not a good survival book with the other stuff for reference.

[Malice]

Ah. I have some good knives, and a camp hatchet. I could also pick up one of thiose nifty WWII folding shovels. You never know.

[Dionysusigma]

Same stuff you'd need on a long camping trip... if you're planning to bug out, that is.

6. Blashlight, batteries.
Blashlights are hard to find... I suggest a good, sturdy 4D Maglite. ;) :D

I suggest a motorcycle on the railroad tracks, to avoid the inevitable traffic jams, crashes, emergency vehicles, etc.
Seems like the ride would be a bit... bumpy... :uhoh: Either that or perfect control over the bike and flawless balance...

A good, short lever-action .357 and a revolver chambered likewise would be good. Ammo isn't as big (and thus as heavy) as 7.62x39, yet is more versatile than 9mm or .45 ACP...

[Vern Humphrey]

Instead of asking, "What do I need?" ask "What sort of a scenario will I face?"

Let's assume you make it out of the city and into the country.

Water and food are always good ideas -- IF you have them with you. If you're afoot, you can't carry a lot of weight. Having a way to purify water is better than carrying five gallons with you.

If hostiles are looking for you, they'll look at sources of water. Having a watersack is a good idea, too -- you can get water, then get away from the source for a while.

Clothing is important -- but take it from an old infantryman, there are times I'd rather have been naked than barefooted. Good boots and socks can be important.

Shelter -- a tarp, groundsheet, pad and sleeping bag are essential if you're going to be in the woods for a couple of days.

You'll need a way to make fire -- I didn't see matches on the list.

How about navigation? More people die in the wilderness from being lost than any reason. Map and compass are indicated.

Will you have friends you need to contact? A hand-held radio would be good then.

First come up with the scenario you think applies to you. Then come with a plan for dealing with it. Make up your list of equipment and supplies based on that plan.

[Texian Pistolero]

You need,

An AK 47

a bicycle

a bag of rice

and a little rat meat.

[tommytrauma]

Basic stuff;
A decent radio, preferably with a hand crank option.
Cash money, in small denominations
Grab and go file with important phone numbers, insurance papers, etc.
Duplicate of said grab and go file in a safe deposit box.
Packing list based on having a few minutes to pack before heading out the door.
Comfort / sanitation items - toilet paper, wet wipes, bug juice, etc.

Like vern said... First come up with the scenario you think applies to you. Then come with a plan for dealing with it. Make up your list of equipment and supplies based on that plan.

[ZeroX]

In all seriousness, the Zombie Survival Guide, though actually a parody book, has a lot of good information on SHTF situations. Items you'll need and all that. It even has plans for more prolonged situations (like 10-20 years). Some of it can be ignored if you aren't worried about zombie attacks but you can never be too careful. :uhoh:

[SteelyDan]

There was a thread on AR 15.com that posted this list of stuff supposedly from the Yugo/Bosnian war:

100 Items to Disappear First

This is from an e-mail, supposedly from a Sarajevo War Survivor.I have no way of verifing this but it is great advice.It gives an insight to what you might need "if" or should I say "when" we have the same problems here in the USA.

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance ect.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled ect.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, ect. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, ect.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room) 37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, ect
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffle Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, ect.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, ect
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, ect.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, boullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, ect. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattresses
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, ect.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, ect,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, ect.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

[griz]

This list of additions is with our recent hurricanes in mind. Think of no power for a week, no ice, etc.

Toliet paper
Dry socks and other clean clothes
Cell phone, calling card, emergency numbers
Maps, your usual route may be blocked
Gasoline for generators or vehicles
Propane and/or charcoal
A loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly will keep for a while

[Vern Humphrey]

Here in rural Arkansas, ice storms in winter that knock the power out aren't all that uncommon. With that in mind, I opted for a finished basement when I built this house. We furnished it with our old den furniture -- including a hide-a-bed sofa, and I put in a Buck stove (an airtight stove.)

We burn wood anyway, so we always have a supply of seasoned firewood -- a good trick is to find a dead tree in summer, mark it, and cut it the following year. Let it season on the stump. With 185 acres, we have plenty of trees.

We keep the essentials in the machine room -- a small generator, coleman lantern with fuel, mantles, etc., a coleman stove, flashlights, and so on.

Equipped like that, we kind of enjoy ice storms.:D

[ducktapehero]

A good, short lever-action .357 and a revolver chambered likewise would be good. Ammo isn't as big (and thus as heavy) as 7.62x39, yet is more versatile than 9mm or .45 ACP... I gotta second this. Plus 2 things he didn't mention are that 38/357 ammo should be easy to get ahold of and that 357, when fired out of a rifle is approaching 30-30(and 7.62x39) energy.

[ducktapehero]

Hey Vern, I've got a HUGE dead Walnut tree in my backyard if you want the wood. I'll let you chop it down for free if you want the wood. :D

[SunBear]

FOOD: Pump air rifle that will push a pellet to 1,00fps and Havahart traps.....both of these can provide youi with lots of meat- just use some of the meat to bait the traps for the next batch.

WATER: Gallons of Bleach.....couple of drops purifies a quart of water. Details on the manufacturers website or Red Cross.

[Vern Humphrey]

quote:
----------------------------------------------
Hey Vern, I've got a HUGE dead Walnut tree in my backyard if you want the wood. I'll let you chop it down for free if you want the wood
----------------------------------------------

If we lived close enough together, I'd take you up on that. You have a valuable tree -- cut it and have it milled, or sell it to the mill. Seasoned walnut is worth $$$.

And don't waste the stump -- that's where high-grade stocks come from.

[sendec]

Positive mental attitude and the will to win.

Everything else are just accessories.

[JamisJockey]

You don't need alot. Most SHTF's are short term scenerios, usually caused by mother nature, possibly compounded by human nature (looting, crime).
Your short list is a good one.
Water:
Keepin enough water on hand is problematic. Have a water purifier, preferably in pump form. Bleach is good, but not very mobile.
Also, Have several of the 2.5gallon jugs on hand, rotate them yearly.
Food:
Think about a week. It doesn't have to have much variety. Canned goods are good about twice thier shelf life (in reality, they are good longer than that). For staying put, hearty high calorie soups and stews. Chili, beans. Rice in the plastic bag (just mix some into soup, boil 5 minutes). Any food (like soup) that has water in it is a bonus. MRE's and backpacking foods are good if you have to evacuate or travel. Also, you'll need to cook some foods (besides, a warm meal is good for morale), get a singler burner stove that takes the small camping propane, and have a couple of those on hand (I keep 4 in my shtf box). I also have some firestarter stuff. Don't forget fido....no, not eating fido but something to keep fido fed. I've got a few cans of dog food with my kit (3 days worth).
Bugging Out:
Bugging out is usually a bad idea. Most scenerios find our hero staying home defending house and property for a short term. If we're talking TEOTWAWKI, then its every family for themself....but thats not likely to happen. Stay put unless you need to evacuate. Have your gear ready to go mobile in 15 minutes or less. Wheeled luggage is good, you can carry enough for a family of four in two large wheeled suitcases to survive for a week (not including clothing). Don't forget that you might end up in a shelter. In this case, you may want extra blankets (you want them anyways), and a tarp or two for various purposes. If you have a tent, keep it somewhere easy to throw into your vehicle (like your garage, sitting on top of your suitcases). Some paracord (about 40 feet), also. If you end up in a shelter, your longgun might not be welcome (hey, I finally found a reason for the Keltec Sub2000 :P). For voluntary bugging out, have someplace in mind. Remember, that nice little hideout in the mountains might be nearly impossible to get to depending on the situation.
Gear:
You can find some of what you need at the local thrift store. Skip BDU's, they stand out in a crowd. If you're worried about possibly having to hide, go for earth tones, greys and dark blues. Grey vanishes nicely at night especially. Also, some cooking and eating utensils, most of which you'll find at the local thrift store for cheap. If you pay attention to the local grocery store, you can often figure out if they have yearly caselot sales, or look for a caselot place nearby for your food.
Weapons:
Keep some ammo in your bug out bag for the weapons you'll take: Handguns, maybe a rifle and shotgun, and keep it in a usable form (stripper clips, bandoleer, in magazines). Otherwise, for staying put, just about any weapon will do. SKS is a fine choice, but don't forget to have your ammo on stripper clips in a chest pouch or some other kind of carrier. It feels good to have 1000 rounds around, but for short term you only need about 250-500 rounds ready to go at a moments notice.
Personally, I keep 75 rounds for the shotgun on bandoleers, plus two speedloaders for the .357 in a speedloader pouch. Certainly enough to ward off a hungry pack of looters.
Boredom:
Lets say you experience a massive icestorm. Power lines are down, you're without power for a week. Have some activites. Playing cards and poker chips, uno, word finds and crossword puzzles, and some coloring books and crayons if you have kids, will all go a long way to keeping your reasonably sane.

Just my random thoughts on the issue, most of which are how I have my gear organized. If I make it back to NC, I'll have to keep my kit more up to date for sure.

[JamisJockey]

Here is a helpful link
http://www.ready.gov/

[NMshooter]

Definitely a pistol of some sort. 1 gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and washing. Cold weather clothing if it gets cold where you live. You can't make too many plans, and emergencies are much easier to deal with if you have thought things through beforehand. Don't overlook obvious threats like fire, having your home burn down with everything in it is quite bad.

[Andrew Rothman]

SKS and 1000 rounds?

http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/albums/arms/guns_n_coke.sized.jpg
Thanks, Oleg

The 1000 rounds weigh 17.4 kilos -- 38.3 pounds!

That's a lot of weight. You may want to break it up into smaller units, and then, depending on which S has H which F, you can bring the appropriate amount.

[one45auto]

A good, short lever-action .357 and a revolver chambered likewise would be good. Ammo isn't as big (and thus as heavy) as 7.62x39, yet is more versatile than 9mm or .45 ACP...

Dionysusigma,

Great minds think alike. :)

That is precisely why I purchased my .357 Magnum Winchester Trapper model lever-action carbine, years before the Y2K. When contemplating the possibility (I'm never one to leave things to chance if I can help it) of surviving in a world without electricity, I looked to the late Nineteenth Century for guidance and read up on the subject. One story in particular struck me, it was the true-life tale of a soldier during the Indian Wars who, in the heat of battle, grabbed the wrong caliber and had to use his pocket knife to unscrew the side plate of his rifle in order to clear the jam ~ all the while crouching under a wagon with men dying all around him. Standardization of ammunition made sense, a fact borne out by further research which revealed that many plainsmen carried rifles chambered for the same ammunition as thier revolvers. Accordingly I settled on the .357 Magnum since not only did I have a revolver chambered for it, but also - if pressed, I could load .38 Specials as well. I've never regretted that decision, and if the SHTF tomorrow that's the rifle I'd reach for without hesitation.

My other gear consists of spare ammunition, a top of the line four man tent, a Swiss backback with aluminum frame, a good pair of binoculars, a Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, food rations, water/canteen, maps, magnesium fire starter, compass, candles, candle lanterns, boxed matches, First Aid kit, blankets, extra clothing, and a sturdy bicycle. (I'm planning to add a hand-cranked radio sometime in the near future)

In making disaster preparations, I utterly refuse to rely upon batteries or gasoline.

[MrMurphy]

Actually I believe that was a Texas Ranger who did that... .45 Colt got stuck in his .44-40 rifle so he disassembled it and fixed it under fire.

[one45auto]

Actually I believe that was a Texas Ranger who did that... .45 Colt got stuck in his .44-40 rifle so he disassembled it and fixed it under fire.

That definitely rings a distant bell, so you are probably right. It's admittedly been quite some time since I read the book.

Quite an impressive feat, wasn't it?


Do you have luminous sights on your lever-action andyour revolver?

No, and I don't plan on adding them either. If the men who settled, policed, and prospected the Old West got along fine without them, then I believe that I can, too. Besides, only a fool goes looking for trouble at night and so any fighting I'd be forced into under those conditions would be so up close and personal that natural point shooting would suffice.

[entropy]

Hey, steely dan, what the heck is #78 on the list, "Survival in a can"?
Cheese Whiz?:D
Matt Payne, that case looks a lot like it came from Sportsman's Guide.;)

one.45auto, a Trapper 94 .357 is great if you have a .357 revolver. It took a second to realize what you meant by "standardization of ammunition" was between your rifle and pistol, not with others you may have joined forces with.

As has already been stated by sendec, mindset will be your best asset, the rest you can adapt, improvise, and overcome. :)

[one45auto]

entropy,

I have several revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum, including a beautiful Ruger Vaquero. It has such a high polish on the stainless steel that it looks like nickel plating and is the gun almost everyone who has seen my collection immediately wants to handle. I guess there's just something about the Colt pattern that never goes out of style, in much the same manner as the 1911. Asthetically speaking, a revolver just doesn't get any better than that. :)

I'll have to take some pictures and post them, if I can find a site to host the images.

[SteelyDan]

entropy, you mean you don't have Survival in a Can?? Man, you're just not prepared. It's about the size of a pack of cigarettes and has everything you need to survive for a week, including food, water, and shelter. I've even seen a few with generators and 50-gal. of fuel. A "must have" for all emergencies.

Or, since I'm thinking more clearly now, it's a little tin about the size of a pack of cigarettes that contains some fishhooks, fuel tabs, needle and thread, whistle, and other small, cheap stuff that I can't remember. There may be some Cheeze Whiz in there, too.