This was originally part of my response in the "AR vs. 12 gauge" thread, but I didn't want to hi-jack that thread so I moved it here.
I'm not a big believer in SHTF scenarios, especially end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it type stuff. I do believe in being prepared for large scale emergencies though, which can be anything from local civil unrest (L.A. style riots) to extreme weather conditions to large scale disasters such as a Hurricane or Earthquake.
My first defense is avoidance. I don't live in a built-up urban area. I'm about 45 minutes from Detroit, but I'm not IN Detroit and spend very little time in the city. If I move to Florida, I'd avoid the known Hurricane zones. If I move to California (God help me...), I'd avoid the known mudslide and wildfire zones and I'd take extra precautions if I was in an earthquake zone. Anwhere I live, I'd try to avoid being in a known flood plain.
My second level of defense is preparation for the most common types of emergencies. Where I live, they are usually winter storms with the resulting loss of power. This is the level where you do basic things like always keeping your car tank at least 1/2 full, always having a small amount of emergency cash on hand and having a few days worth of food and water.
I did get caught short during last summer's big power outage in that I didn't have any ice or water on hand. As soon as a realized it wasn't just a local event (about an hour into it), I was able to get to the corner grocery and get 10 gallons of water and several bags of ice. This worked out OK because I had at least a 1/2 tank of gas and $20 cash. The store actually was closing and sending everyone home, but I talked them into letting me in and bought $19.75 worth of water (mainly) and ice. My wife, on the other hand, was caught in a huge traffic jam with her needle on "E" and almost no cash. She made it home OK, but barely.
My third level of defense is preparation for "atypical" emergencies. This is where the "SHTF" type of stuff comes in. The first step is to identify what specific known danger possibilites exist in your area. This is made easier by my earlier decisions as to where to live that help avoid certain things (not to many Hurricane's or wildfires in Michigan). This is the level where I'd start adding supplies that aren't as immediately useful for the normal weather related emergencies, but would help in a longer term or more severe situation. For example, I've never needed a generator in my life. Whenever the power has been out, it's come back on in less then 48 hours. But, when I have a house, I'll install a generator as soon as practical.
You notice I haven't mentioned weapons yet. I'm not planning on repelling the UN or fighting Martians and I think many gun people (at least on the boards) overthink the armed defense part of a preparedness plan and underate the rest. My first level of defense is my CCW gun, in case I'm caught outside the home. My next level of defense at home would be to upgrade to a larger CCW gun (still carried concealed) and load up whatever rifles I currently own. I'm planning on staying put, unless I have to evacuate, in which case I'd try to travel light.
The foundation for all of this is that I stay in reasonable physical shape and that I have basic training in First Aid, CPR (not current, gotta renew) and that I have trained/practiced with my survival gear and prosepctive defensive firearms (yep).
I'm not a big believer in SHTF scenarios, especially end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it type stuff. I do believe in being prepared for large scale emergencies though, which can be anything from local civil unrest (L.A. style riots) to extreme weather conditions to large scale disasters such as a Hurricane or Earthquake.
My first defense is avoidance. I don't live in a built-up urban area. I'm about 45 minutes from Detroit, but I'm not IN Detroit and spend very little time in the city. If I move to Florida, I'd avoid the known Hurricane zones. If I move to California (God help me...), I'd avoid the known mudslide and wildfire zones and I'd take extra precautions if I was in an earthquake zone. Anwhere I live, I'd try to avoid being in a known flood plain.
My second level of defense is preparation for the most common types of emergencies. Where I live, they are usually winter storms with the resulting loss of power. This is the level where you do basic things like always keeping your car tank at least 1/2 full, always having a small amount of emergency cash on hand and having a few days worth of food and water.
I did get caught short during last summer's big power outage in that I didn't have any ice or water on hand. As soon as a realized it wasn't just a local event (about an hour into it), I was able to get to the corner grocery and get 10 gallons of water and several bags of ice. This worked out OK because I had at least a 1/2 tank of gas and $20 cash. The store actually was closing and sending everyone home, but I talked them into letting me in and bought $19.75 worth of water (mainly) and ice. My wife, on the other hand, was caught in a huge traffic jam with her needle on "E" and almost no cash. She made it home OK, but barely.
My third level of defense is preparation for "atypical" emergencies. This is where the "SHTF" type of stuff comes in. The first step is to identify what specific known danger possibilites exist in your area. This is made easier by my earlier decisions as to where to live that help avoid certain things (not to many Hurricane's or wildfires in Michigan). This is the level where I'd start adding supplies that aren't as immediately useful for the normal weather related emergencies, but would help in a longer term or more severe situation. For example, I've never needed a generator in my life. Whenever the power has been out, it's come back on in less then 48 hours. But, when I have a house, I'll install a generator as soon as practical.
You notice I haven't mentioned weapons yet. I'm not planning on repelling the UN or fighting Martians and I think many gun people (at least on the boards) overthink the armed defense part of a preparedness plan and underate the rest. My first level of defense is my CCW gun, in case I'm caught outside the home. My next level of defense at home would be to upgrade to a larger CCW gun (still carried concealed) and load up whatever rifles I currently own. I'm planning on staying put, unless I have to evacuate, in which case I'd try to travel light.
The foundation for all of this is that I stay in reasonable physical shape and that I have basic training in First Aid, CPR (not current, gotta renew) and that I have trained/practiced with my survival gear and prosepctive defensive firearms (yep).
