joab
Member
The difference between a Bic and El Cheapo is about 50 cents.
In this case you do get what you pay for.
I get the Bic midgets for BOB applications
TSHTF survival kit(on shoestring budget)
- Thread starter Firethorn
- Start date
- Status
In this case you do get what you pay for.
I get the Bic midgets for BOB applications
Steamship Trooper
Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2005
- Messages
- 52
One other thing
I know this sounds a bit goobery, but have something to keep your mind occupied. Deck of cards, .50 at a Dollar General, Hoyle's book of games, you can get at thrift stores for about a quarter. I personally have a Bible as well.
In another thread, someone mentioned the psych stress of waiting. Over here, in the sandbox, that is one of our biggest "stressors"- inactivity after traumatic event.
Don't get me wrong, I have lived with and tried most of what is mentioned here. All good advice, and all must be tailored to what you have. But once you are fed and watered, you neeed a little more stimuli to avoid becoming a houseplant
I know this sounds a bit goobery, but have something to keep your mind occupied. Deck of cards, .50 at a Dollar General, Hoyle's book of games, you can get at thrift stores for about a quarter. I personally have a Bible as well.
In another thread, someone mentioned the psych stress of waiting. Over here, in the sandbox, that is one of our biggest "stressors"- inactivity after traumatic event.
Don't get me wrong, I have lived with and tried most of what is mentioned here. All good advice, and all must be tailored to what you have. But once you are fed and watered, you neeed a little more stimuli to avoid becoming a houseplant
gc67
Member
A good way to store water is to just fill your empty bleach bottles with water. There is enough bleach in there to make sure the water is safe
ditch the lighter and teach yourself how to use a flint and steel kit...it'll be worth it in the long run...also, those types of kits are easy to replenish in the field...
Another thing, ditch the whole battery operated radio..get yourself one of the dynamo/crank powered ones...they're worth it in the long run..We've got one that is solar/crank or battery operated...it's come in handy and also has a small light built into it...You're looking to survive here, eventually batteries won't be found anywhere...so why not prepare for that ahead of time?
I'll have to give it some thought, but I'm quite sure I can put a budget get outta dodge bag together relatively cheap...Husband has told me at times I pinch pennies so hard they squeak
Mneme
Another thing, ditch the whole battery operated radio..get yourself one of the dynamo/crank powered ones...they're worth it in the long run..We've got one that is solar/crank or battery operated...it's come in handy and also has a small light built into it...You're looking to survive here, eventually batteries won't be found anywhere...so why not prepare for that ahead of time?
I'll have to give it some thought, but I'm quite sure I can put a budget get outta dodge bag together relatively cheap...Husband has told me at times I pinch pennies so hard they squeak
Mneme
Bob F.
Member
Joab: post re; budget-excellent! Been hungry a time or two yourself, eh? Amazing how many folks don't understand "NO disposable income"!
Stay safe, and fed.
Bob
Stay safe, and fed.
Bob
On the subject of food and vitamins - vitamin C is only derived in useful amounts from certain fresh foods - mainly fruit. Of all the vitamins this is one of the most important. I would have a considerable number of vitamin supplements on hand (I do anyway - and use them), and C would be top of the list. Potassium is another food supplemental item lacking in useful amounts in an overly limited diet.
My general food reserve list is topped by things like tinned sardines, beef jerky, basmati rice, pasta, oatmeal, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, tinned cream. Salt, pepper, spices etc are also on hand in some quantity.
If you are sitting tight or have wheeled transport; fresh potatoes, onions etc will keep fresh under most conditions for a fair amount of time and have great food value. Broccoli is very high in food value and will remain edible for a time unrefrigerated. Some fresh fruits like oranges, and even bananas if they they are really green will keep for a short time. If bought regularly and kept in rotating supply, a fair amount of fresh food can be kept at home without refrigeration and used until it runs out before having to hit the canned stuff.
Barter: scotch, rum, brandy, good cigars, popular cigarettes, coffee. Even if you do not drink or smoke, there are many people who will pay dearly for such things. A few small bottles of each, a few cigars, and a carton or three of cigarettes, some small cans of coffee will keep a long time with a bit of care. If you do like a wee dram now and then, appreciate a good cigar, or smoke cigarettes, etc such comforts might make some other inconveniences and suffering much easier to live with.
Everyone should have at least one .22 rimfire. Preferably a rifle and a handgun. They are very effective for a variety of uses when employed skillfully, and the ammo is dirt cheap so thousands of rounds can be kept on hand.
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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
My general food reserve list is topped by things like tinned sardines, beef jerky, basmati rice, pasta, oatmeal, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, tinned cream. Salt, pepper, spices etc are also on hand in some quantity.
If you are sitting tight or have wheeled transport; fresh potatoes, onions etc will keep fresh under most conditions for a fair amount of time and have great food value. Broccoli is very high in food value and will remain edible for a time unrefrigerated. Some fresh fruits like oranges, and even bananas if they they are really green will keep for a short time. If bought regularly and kept in rotating supply, a fair amount of fresh food can be kept at home without refrigeration and used until it runs out before having to hit the canned stuff.
Barter: scotch, rum, brandy, good cigars, popular cigarettes, coffee. Even if you do not drink or smoke, there are many people who will pay dearly for such things. A few small bottles of each, a few cigars, and a carton or three of cigarettes, some small cans of coffee will keep a long time with a bit of care. If you do like a wee dram now and then, appreciate a good cigar, or smoke cigarettes, etc such comforts might make some other inconveniences and suffering much easier to live with.
Everyone should have at least one .22 rimfire. Preferably a rifle and a handgun. They are very effective for a variety of uses when employed skillfully, and the ammo is dirt cheap so thousands of rounds can be kept on hand.
-------------------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
GoBrush
Member
MRE's are great if you have to bug out. Dont forget any med's you are on and extra contacts or glasses if you have bad eyes. I also think you need atleast 2 guns if one goes south a good handgun is a good choice because of its concealability.
yonderway
Member
I've been in a 3+ week localized SHTF situation with no power, running water, etc. The scenario was a major regional ice storm, and my location was rural enough that I was far down on the list for getting the trees off the road so the power company could get in and restore electricity thus also restoring heat & well water.
Having an ATV with a winch and a chain saw got me out of my neighborhood when my big bad-ass 4x4 (that was optimized for rock crawling in the mountains!) couldn't get me out of my neighborhood. This was vital. When my drinking water and propane ran out, I was able to ride the ATV around all of the downed trees and find a store that was still open (and if worse came to worse, a couple miles further and I would have been at the river and would have purified the river water for drinking).
The whole beans/rice/ramen thing is BS. When TSHTF, potable water is at a premium. These foods just suck up your water supplies like crazy. I ate a lot of canned foods through this crisis, and cooked over the fireplace. Canned veggies come with enough juice that you can cook them without adding water. Canned baked beans are also a big life saver. I had a lot of frozen meat that I moved outside to a cooler buried in the snow and ate hams & steaks, fish, and chicken filets all the time. I ate better during SHTF than I did under normal conditions.
Everybody on my road hated the lady with the big load generator that never came out to check on her neighbors. Some had made comments implying that if their own supplies ran low, they would be paying the lady with the generator a "visit". That sentiment left an indellible impression on me. If you live anywhere near other people where they might hear a generator, remember, it's like a beacon to all the desperate souls around you saying "I'm getting through this just fine because I'm well-prepared".
For contrast, I had a 12VDC marine deep cycle battery in a portable wooden box with an inverter mounted on the side. I usually would use this for something like running a cement mixer out in the woods (long story) but it worked great for powering a portable propane heater that would get my whole house up to 80 degrees in about 15 minutes. It was well below freezing outside the whole time. So at night if I got cold, even though I was sleeping in front of the fireplace, I'd run the heater for 5 minutes and then go back to sleep.
Lots of firewood, lots of propane. That got me through a lot.
I had ramen noodles but didn't dare touch them. Water was too valuable. My hygeine was reduced to using scented baby wipes to wash down, and some baby powder. Bathing was impossible.
If things had gotten so bad that I have to leave my house, I would have to say my SHTF rifle is my SKS. I could carry a couple hundred rounds of ammo without feeling much of a burden. Good for anything up to a moderately sized deer or down to a rabbit if I go for a head shot. With the bayonet flipped out, it will send a clear message to anyone who wants to know what kind of supplies I'm packing.
I think carrying a portable stove is a waste of cargo capacity. Hot foods are nice, but an unnecessary luxury. It adds a lot of weight to your pack and robs you of valuable space that can be used for much more necessary things. Military MRE's are safe to eat uncooked. The smell of cooking food carries a long ways downwind and can attract some hungry people to your campsite. I carry a lot of granola type bars also.
Having an ATV with a winch and a chain saw got me out of my neighborhood when my big bad-ass 4x4 (that was optimized for rock crawling in the mountains!) couldn't get me out of my neighborhood. This was vital. When my drinking water and propane ran out, I was able to ride the ATV around all of the downed trees and find a store that was still open (and if worse came to worse, a couple miles further and I would have been at the river and would have purified the river water for drinking).
The whole beans/rice/ramen thing is BS. When TSHTF, potable water is at a premium. These foods just suck up your water supplies like crazy. I ate a lot of canned foods through this crisis, and cooked over the fireplace. Canned veggies come with enough juice that you can cook them without adding water. Canned baked beans are also a big life saver. I had a lot of frozen meat that I moved outside to a cooler buried in the snow and ate hams & steaks, fish, and chicken filets all the time. I ate better during SHTF than I did under normal conditions.
Everybody on my road hated the lady with the big load generator that never came out to check on her neighbors. Some had made comments implying that if their own supplies ran low, they would be paying the lady with the generator a "visit". That sentiment left an indellible impression on me. If you live anywhere near other people where they might hear a generator, remember, it's like a beacon to all the desperate souls around you saying "I'm getting through this just fine because I'm well-prepared".
For contrast, I had a 12VDC marine deep cycle battery in a portable wooden box with an inverter mounted on the side. I usually would use this for something like running a cement mixer out in the woods (long story) but it worked great for powering a portable propane heater that would get my whole house up to 80 degrees in about 15 minutes. It was well below freezing outside the whole time. So at night if I got cold, even though I was sleeping in front of the fireplace, I'd run the heater for 5 minutes and then go back to sleep.
Lots of firewood, lots of propane. That got me through a lot.
I had ramen noodles but didn't dare touch them. Water was too valuable. My hygeine was reduced to using scented baby wipes to wash down, and some baby powder. Bathing was impossible.
If things had gotten so bad that I have to leave my house, I would have to say my SHTF rifle is my SKS. I could carry a couple hundred rounds of ammo without feeling much of a burden. Good for anything up to a moderately sized deer or down to a rabbit if I go for a head shot. With the bayonet flipped out, it will send a clear message to anyone who wants to know what kind of supplies I'm packing.
I think carrying a portable stove is a waste of cargo capacity. Hot foods are nice, but an unnecessary luxury. It adds a lot of weight to your pack and robs you of valuable space that can be used for much more necessary things. Military MRE's are safe to eat uncooked. The smell of cooking food carries a long ways downwind and can attract some hungry people to your campsite. I carry a lot of granola type bars also.
yonderway
Member
Steamship Trooper said:
I used to have a PDA (Palm Pilot) that was loaded up with games and a bunch of eBooks (mostly stuff relevant to survival, but some of it was just for good reading). Went with me everywhere. Finally it gave up the ghost. I haven't replaced it yet, as the newer generation PDA's tend to be expensive when they are ruggedized. The ~$100 ones tend to feel flimsy so I haven't bothered wasting my $$$. On the upside, the displays on newer PDA's are much more useful making it possible to carry field guides on edible plants and so on.
yonderway
Member
gc67 said:
After having gone through my own SHTF, I'd have to wonder how many bleach bottles are needed to store enough water for a month. When our even started, the second the power went out I ran into the bathroom and filled the tub up before the water pressure was gone. That gave me many more gallons of water than I would have otherwise had and it still only lasted a few days (sharing with the wife).
We're moving to a new house soon and one of the overriding design principals for it is going to be preparation. We're planning on buying a used/damaged freight container and burying it in the side of a hill for thermal stability. I've seen a lot of offices with those Deer Park water coolers and they conveniently store these 5 gallon jugs of potable water, sealed and safe for long term storage, in wall racks. That sounds like just the thing! My family is much bigger now than it was when we had our SHTF and we'd need a lot more water to get us through. Probably on the order of 5 gallons per day if we were pretty tight about it. I personally want to have a goal of having a month's worth of potable water stored in that freight container (not to mention over a year's worth of food)
In the new house we will have our own private well instead of a community well. Initially it will be powered from the house but by 2007 it will be on its own solar/battery based system so the well should continue to run even during extended power outages.
yonderway
Member
Dave R said:
That's my own CCW piece. Goes with me everywhere. Incredibly accurate for the money. I had some guys that were all sporting HK's bug out
when they tried my Makarov. They went from picking on me about my "ghetto blaster" to having much love for it. OK so you can't carry cocked & locked, and you only have a single stack mag, but it's very accurate and very reliable and not hard to conceal.
armoredman
Member
Made this for a slightly differant question, but something of the same thing, barely. You can just laugh if you want, instead.
or for a few bucks more...
...that is if you WANTED a camo outfit that doesn't scream military wannbe. Just a thought.
or for a few bucks more...
...that is if you WANTED a camo outfit that doesn't scream military wannbe. Just a thought.
dasmi
Member
Check your local 99 cent store. There's a huge one near my home, that carries lots of off brand soups and canned meats, and a small variety of Cambells and Progresso stuff. I stocked up last night, actually.
after some checking at our local Save A Lot store..I've discovered that for around $40, you can get yourself some basic food supplies. Out of all the supplies, the 5gal bucket of lard was the most expensive at $16. Might not be a gourmet meal, but it certainly would keep you alive for awhile. This included:
25lb bag of pinto beans
25lb bag of rice
25lb bag of flour
5gal bucket of lard
25lb bag of sugar
misc spices (salt, pepper, etc)
The fun part would be finding appropriate storage methods for the above foods. The flour could be turned into hardtack for longer storage and you can always make some saltpork ahead of time as well. I believe it has quite a long storage life to it.
As far as general supplies, your local dollar store can be a lifesaver or learn the terrain in your area and find out what you can aquire naturally (from herbs, to edible nuts/berries)...We are lucky here in SE Ohio, we've got quite a bit of natural items we can choose from to keep us going both for food and for other things....
Mneme
25lb bag of pinto beans
25lb bag of rice
25lb bag of flour
5gal bucket of lard
25lb bag of sugar
misc spices (salt, pepper, etc)
The fun part would be finding appropriate storage methods for the above foods. The flour could be turned into hardtack for longer storage and you can always make some saltpork ahead of time as well. I believe it has quite a long storage life to it.
As far as general supplies, your local dollar store can be a lifesaver or learn the terrain in your area and find out what you can aquire naturally (from herbs, to edible nuts/berries)...We are lucky here in SE Ohio, we've got quite a bit of natural items we can choose from to keep us going both for food and for other things....
Mneme
gremlin_bros
Member.
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2005
- Messages
- 191
trade items
lets not forget comfort and trade items.
first of forget the gold and silver economy will be worthless to begin with.
alcohol has many uses no just drinking try sterilization for just one fuel for another if the proof is high enough, next coffee makes for good trade. toilet paper lets face it leaves suck. chocolate good food and for trade and the list goes on and on im shure you can think of many others if you put your mind to it this is just off the top of my head.
lets not forget comfort and trade items.
first of forget the gold and silver economy will be worthless to begin with.
alcohol has many uses no just drinking try sterilization for just one fuel for another if the proof is high enough, next coffee makes for good trade. toilet paper lets face it leaves suck. chocolate good food and for trade and the list goes on and on im shure you can think of many others if you put your mind to it this is just off the top of my head.
V4Vendetta
member
I bought a book from Barnes & Nble for 14.95 called "Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook". It has a section in it about rioting areas. Most of it is standard knowledge stuff but the rest of the book is still a good book to have around. Here's what I remember off the top of my head.
1. Take a flashlight & hold a blue or red cloth over it. Snipers will have trouble spotting it.
2. Set up a watch post so that at least 1 person is on guard all the time.
3. If you need to bribe a border guard to get to safe land, DO NOT suggest a bribe plainly unless the official does first. If you offer money to a junior official while a superior officer is present, the superior may demand more than you gave the junior officer. Try to talk the guy in charge directly. That way you may only have to pay one guy. Hide your money in small amounts on different areas of your person. Have a photo copy of your passport to show a official but keep the real one on you. NEVER surrender your passport.
1. Take a flashlight & hold a blue or red cloth over it. Snipers will have trouble spotting it.
2. Set up a watch post so that at least 1 person is on guard all the time.
3. If you need to bribe a border guard to get to safe land, DO NOT suggest a bribe plainly unless the official does first. If you offer money to a junior official while a superior officer is present, the superior may demand more than you gave the junior officer. Try to talk the guy in charge directly. That way you may only have to pay one guy. Hide your money in small amounts on different areas of your person. Have a photo copy of your passport to show a official but keep the real one on you. NEVER surrender your passport.
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