About a week ago, someone (A Moderator) asked if I would write a thread about what my family and I learned in living through the aftermath of Katrina in the devastated zone.
I am starting this as an outline form where I will attempt to flesh it out later. Some of what I will write may seem odd, and some of it may seem excessive. I am only writing from what worked and did not work in MY situation.
Some will not have the resources available to them that I did and I understand that. However, what I listed is what will get you by, and the lack of it COULD make life very difficult for you. Everyone’s situation will be different, just like every SHTF will have its own characteristics, duration, and obstacles to overcome.
I realize that I am specifically writing this towards a Katrina-like occurrence in a fairly warm climate. I do this because that IS my situation, and that was what I experienced. I think it would be very beneficial for others in other geographic regions to do a similar writing—such as those who had winter storms in CO.
I hope this can help someone, and I hope it may serve as a good blueprint to get started with. Again, I will be adding to this or fleshing it out with the rationale behind the points as time is available.
--- John
SHTF Primer:
I. Food and Water
II. Tools to get by
III. Fuel needs
IV. Living Quarters
V. Cleanliness
VI. Communications
VII. Neighbors
VIII. Children
IX. Cash
X. Health and Comfort
XI. Damage to your home
XII. Transportation
XIII. Generators
XIV. Defense and Hunting (Avoiding the my gun is better than yours discussion)
XV. Division of Labor
I am starting this as an outline form where I will attempt to flesh it out later. Some of what I will write may seem odd, and some of it may seem excessive. I am only writing from what worked and did not work in MY situation.
Some will not have the resources available to them that I did and I understand that. However, what I listed is what will get you by, and the lack of it COULD make life very difficult for you. Everyone’s situation will be different, just like every SHTF will have its own characteristics, duration, and obstacles to overcome.
I realize that I am specifically writing this towards a Katrina-like occurrence in a fairly warm climate. I do this because that IS my situation, and that was what I experienced. I think it would be very beneficial for others in other geographic regions to do a similar writing—such as those who had winter storms in CO.
I hope this can help someone, and I hope it may serve as a good blueprint to get started with. Again, I will be adding to this or fleshing it out with the rationale behind the points as time is available.
--- John
SHTF Primer:
I. Food and Water
A. Count on spoilage in 3 days
B. Cook as much as you can before spoilage
C. You will be eating Canned food and MRE’s after 3 days. Have it on hand.
D. If you need coffee as a luxury (I did), get a Grill-top coffee maker such as a percolator.
E. Paper plates are very handy
F. Get at least one good 55 gallon PVC drum and drum stand for drinking water
G. Get a few 55 gallon drums for washing and cleaning water.
H. Have bottles you can carry water out with you when you work. You can refill these.
I. Boil any water you intend to drink if you are not absolutely sure.
J. Do not let unsure water get near any of your orifices—even while washing.
K. Plan on cooking on propane. Get either numerous propane tanks or a outside mounted tank
L. Have an attachment where you can attach the mounted tank to an outside grill.
B. Cook as much as you can before spoilage
C. You will be eating Canned food and MRE’s after 3 days. Have it on hand.
D. If you need coffee as a luxury (I did), get a Grill-top coffee maker such as a percolator.
E. Paper plates are very handy
F. Get at least one good 55 gallon PVC drum and drum stand for drinking water
G. Get a few 55 gallon drums for washing and cleaning water.
H. Have bottles you can carry water out with you when you work. You can refill these.
I. Boil any water you intend to drink if you are not absolutely sure.
J. Do not let unsure water get near any of your orifices—even while washing.
K. Plan on cooking on propane. Get either numerous propane tanks or a outside mounted tank
L. Have an attachment where you can attach the mounted tank to an outside grill.
II. Tools to get by
A. More than one chainsaw1. Chainsaw fuel mix
2. Spare chains
3. Chain oil (this will be the first thing the stores are out of when you begin to look)
4. Chainsaw sharpener
2. Spare chains
3. Chain oil (this will be the first thing the stores are out of when you begin to look)
4. Chainsaw sharpener
B. Bolt cutters (for power lines)
C. A good set of screwdrivers and socket wrenches
D. A couple good knives
D. A couple good knives
E. Tractor (if this is an option to you)
1. Have a Box Blade attachment
2. Have Boom attachment or Front Lift
3. Have a logger’s hook
4. Have a few good Chains
5. Have a supply of Tax-exempt diesel for the tractor
2. Have Boom attachment or Front Lift
3. Have a logger’s hook
4. Have a few good Chains
5. Have a supply of Tax-exempt diesel for the tractor
III. Fuel needs
A. Get numerous 5 gallon gas cans. You will not be able to buy then when you need them, or do what I did:
B. A good option is a 250 gallon farm fuel tank. Make sure you check the valve before you buy. Some leak bad. I got one for $75 dollars new.
C. Get a hand siphon pump at any auto-store. Gasoline doesn’t taste good.
D. Make sure you have fuel mix for chainsaws
E. Have diesel if you have a tractor. Tax-exempt is available for farm equipment.
F. Gasoline vehicles are probably best during the aftermath. Diesel was not available or heavily rationed due to emergency vehicles. However, Diesel stores better and longer.
B. A good option is a 250 gallon farm fuel tank. Make sure you check the valve before you buy. Some leak bad. I got one for $75 dollars new.
C. Get a hand siphon pump at any auto-store. Gasoline doesn’t taste good.
D. Make sure you have fuel mix for chainsaws
E. Have diesel if you have a tractor. Tax-exempt is available for farm equipment.
F. Gasoline vehicles are probably best during the aftermath. Diesel was not available or heavily rationed due to emergency vehicles. However, Diesel stores better and longer.
IV. Living Quarters
A. Have good perimeter lighting capabilities
B. Have a lot of outdoor chairs
C. Have a good folding table or two
D. Have a fire-pit
E. Candles will go fast—and produce a lot of heat
F. Have Several flashlights
G. Have a few table top lights
H. Plan to sleep in a communal room
I. Have a small window unit air-conditioner in that room.
B. Have a lot of outdoor chairs
C. Have a good folding table or two
D. Have a fire-pit
E. Candles will go fast—and produce a lot of heat
F. Have Several flashlights
G. Have a few table top lights
H. Plan to sleep in a communal room
I. Have a small window unit air-conditioner in that room.
V. Cleanliness
A. Your home will be dusty due to having windows open and tracking in.
B. Clean out freezers and refrigerator before things spoil
C. Have water on hand in bathrooms to flush toilets
D. Have containers to haul heated water to a bath tub for bathing
E. Large pot where soiled clothing can be washed in hot water
F. Have a good supply of parachute cord to create clothes drying lines
G. Keep a lot of Baby wipes
H. Have an area where water can be heated for washing any dishes
I. Establish a burn area for debris and/or waste.
B. Clean out freezers and refrigerator before things spoil
C. Have water on hand in bathrooms to flush toilets
D. Have containers to haul heated water to a bath tub for bathing
E. Large pot where soiled clothing can be washed in hot water
F. Have a good supply of parachute cord to create clothes drying lines
G. Keep a lot of Baby wipes
H. Have an area where water can be heated for washing any dishes
I. Establish a burn area for debris and/or waste.
VI. Communications
A. Have a Radio, hand crank is nice option
B. Lots of batteries, or battery re-chargers
C. Go with satellite TV over cable
D. Walkie-talkie is handy
B. Lots of batteries, or battery re-chargers
C. Go with satellite TV over cable
D. Walkie-talkie is handy
VII. Neighbors
A. Get on good terms with your neighbors—maybe organize with them.
B. Keep a check on elderly in your neighborhood
B. Keep a check on elderly in your neighborhood
VIII. Children
A. Plan to have Board Games
B. Plan to have Toys
C. Keep some Paper and writing instruments
D. Have Books on hand
E. Someone will have to keep an eye on children
B. Plan to have Toys
C. Keep some Paper and writing instruments
D. Have Books on hand
E. Someone will have to keep an eye on children
IX. Cash
A. Keep $1,000 dollars in cash hidden somewhere. No, this isn’t a lot of money and goes fast!
X. Health and Comfort
A. Have a First aid kit—a good one
B. Keep a month’s supply of Medicines you take on hand
C. Have Band-aids, bandages and topical antiseptic
D. Boil any water you plan to drink unless it if from your drinking supply
E. Don’t let unsafe water anywhere near any of your orifices.
F. Have a good supply of Insect Repellent and Skin-So-Soft (works better than Insect Repellant—get it from Avon)
G. Have a good rain suit
H. Loose comfortable work clothes
I. Have a Wide-brimmed hat
J. Have Safety glasses (trust me!)
K. Have good work gloves
B. Keep a month’s supply of Medicines you take on hand
C. Have Band-aids, bandages and topical antiseptic
D. Boil any water you plan to drink unless it if from your drinking supply
E. Don’t let unsafe water anywhere near any of your orifices.
F. Have a good supply of Insect Repellent and Skin-So-Soft (works better than Insect Repellant—get it from Avon)
G. Have a good rain suit
H. Loose comfortable work clothes
I. Have a Wide-brimmed hat
J. Have Safety glasses (trust me!)
K. Have good work gloves
XI. Damage to your home
A. Have a number of tarps
B. Have a good supply of nails and a good hammer
C. Keep a couple sheets of plywood around—the more the better
D. Always have some Duct Tape
E. Keep Disposable Cameras on hand to document damage for insurance.
B. Have a good supply of nails and a good hammer
C. Keep a couple sheets of plywood around—the more the better
D. Always have some Duct Tape
E. Keep Disposable Cameras on hand to document damage for insurance.
XII. Transportation
A. A Truck will be better than a SUV.
B. Four-wheel drive is nice, not may not be necessary
C. Gasoline truck is probably going to be better over Diesel due to rationing.
D. A Towing package is a MUST
E. Need a small trailer
F. A Four-wheeler is handy for nearby travel—especially one with a small trailer
B. Four-wheel drive is nice, not may not be necessary
C. Gasoline truck is probably going to be better over Diesel due to rationing.
D. A Towing package is a MUST
E. Need a small trailer
F. A Four-wheeler is handy for nearby travel—especially one with a small trailer
XIII. Generators
A. Get at least a 7 kwt generator. That is a minimum. I am getting a 21 kwt one soon.
B. HAVE a back-up generator—trust me
C. Get electric start… trust me
D. Have heavy chains to lock the generator to a heavy stationary object like the house.
E. Make sure you get a current stabilizer for sensitive equipment like freezer motors, water pumps, and battery chargers. You will burn up these pieces of equipment otherwise.
B. HAVE a back-up generator—trust me
C. Get electric start… trust me
D. Have heavy chains to lock the generator to a heavy stationary object like the house.
E. Make sure you get a current stabilizer for sensitive equipment like freezer motors, water pumps, and battery chargers. You will burn up these pieces of equipment otherwise.
XIV. Defense and Hunting (Avoiding the my gun is better than yours discussion)
A. A decent rifle that can pull double duty in defense and hunting.
B. A shotgun that can pull double duty in defense and hunting
C. A 22 rimfire rifle
D. At least 2 handguns
E. A good supply of ammunition for each of these firearms.
F. Make sure you have hunting rounds included.
G. For shotguns, having 00 buckshot and #6 shot will suffice.
H. A reloader is handy and lowers cost
B. A shotgun that can pull double duty in defense and hunting
C. A 22 rimfire rifle
D. At least 2 handguns
E. A good supply of ammunition for each of these firearms.
F. Make sure you have hunting rounds included.
G. For shotguns, having 00 buckshot and #6 shot will suffice.
H. A reloader is handy and lowers cost
XV. Division of Labor
A. Determine who is interested and best suited for different areas. (Example: My wife kept up with all the children for basically everyone, my mother-in-law did the cooking and shared cleaning duties with my wife, my father-in-law and I did the digging out and heavy work.)
B. Stay out of each others’ way.
B. Stay out of each others’ way.