What's up with all of the SHTF threads?

[Kodiaz]

Wow that Mabu stuff is hilarious. I wish I could have opened all the links

 

[omnivore75]

People who stockpile rounds and guns for the sole purpose of anticipating a government collapse flat out scare me. I shoot and reload because it's my passion. It's on a byproduct that I might be better prepared than somone else in a disaster.

If youre "scared" at the thought of people buying ammo to protect themselves and their family in case the worst did happen (and don't kid yourself by thinking that it can't because thats just fantasy.) then I would suggest some warm milk and a nap.

 

[BenW]

Thanks Elmer -- that's the one!

Man -- that Mabu sure knew how to get the chicks...

 

[Malone LaVeigh]

Stocking up on guns in ammo is partof a sensible response to the range of predictable disasters that could come into all of our lives. The hardware is actually a relatively small part, IMO, but it is a really good component for developing an effective mindset.

And that about sums the gun part up for me. I like talking about specifics, though, which is what seems to bother some.

 

[omnivore75]

Hey thats what this place is for. Anyone bothered by people discussing their SHTF setup or their survival setup or any and all aspects of it regardless of what you choose to call it should probably not spend time on THR forum because they are going to be bothered a lot if they do.

 

[hso]

Do not, repeat not, use plastic trashcans to store/collect drinking water.

Only use food grade containers for water storage.

If you still intend to use trash cans or non-food grade drums use a food grade drum liner (http://www.nep.thomasregister.com/olc/46437000/valu.htm) in it.

It's not that you'll poison yourself, 'though lord knows some of you might, but it's that the wrong type of plastic container can cause more subtle alergic reactions that are as bad as drinking toxic dyes or contaminants.

If you can afford it bladder type storage is a good way to go. http://www.interstateproducts.com

 

[Thin Black Line]

Water

There are a lot of places that sell drums made for water such as Nitropak,
Emergency Essencials, etc. The 30 gals are as big as I would go if you plan
on moving them around (such as to a different room).

I live in a rural area with my own well. You should plan for what you have
readily available as far as drinking water, but also make provision for grey
water for handwashing, shaving, cleaning, etc, that can be re-used for these
tasks. I have blue freshwater drums and a small grey water tank with a
flat bottom and a spigot (35 gals).

Saying you have a pond "nearby" (unless you live right on its shore) that you
will take from and purify is not much of a plan if it's hundreds of yards away
or 1,000s other people suddenly plan on using it too. It will get really hard to
haul water back and forth physically and discreetly. Watch Wild Kingdom and
learn how predators just wait at the watering hole for the gazelle to show
up and fathom that risk as well.

If you want to learn how a household works without electricity, try visiting
historical society homes, working farms, etc. Greenfield Village outside of
Detroit is a good example as you get to see the various stages of mechanical
progress and how comfortable (or spartan) a home can be.

I'm not saying we're all going to be reduced to 19th century living, but it will
give you some ideas about how to sustain yourself. Then again, if the Peak
Oilers are right......

 

[Sawdust]

I highly recommend the 15 gallon food grade (opaque blue) water barrels that you can get from places such as Emergency Essentials.

Good capacity; anything larger is just too heavy too move around.

Don't forget a bung wrench and siphon pump, too.

HTH,

Sawdust

 

[Manedwolf]

Maybe if some of the folks in NO, LA had done some of these stupid scenarios, we wouldn't have to be down there wiping so many a$$es. Don't get me wrong, those people needed A LOT of help. But, should any able-bodied person have been completely helpless? No. Just because I keep plenty of ammo and food and water in the house should I need it doesn't make me an idiot or a worrier. It's called being prepared. You shouldn't wear your seatbelt either, because what are the real chances you're going to have an accident? See my point?

That's nice if you have the money to spend on preparedness supplies, to renew your stock every few years, etc, etc...

A lot of people don't. And that's just reality. And they're GOOD people. Hardworking people who might not have made it through school, but they'd been working hard at factories for 20 years, got laid off, and are barely squeaking by, working two or more crap jobs to feed their family.

There's a LOT of those. And they're your fellow Americans. What you're doing is showing that you've absorbed the administration's new ethos that everyone is on their own, needs to be self-sufficient, etc...for some part, that's true, but NOT when help is needed in a major diaster and people with no money and no car ended up trapped and desparate. Then, the government is supposed to be the rescuer and provider. That's what first-world nations do.

Isn't it a little sad that even dirt-poor-population Cuba managed to better organize busing-out of their poorest residents from areas to be hardest hit by the hurricane, and all we had was Brownie's comedy of errors while he worried about where to have dinner?

 

[Manedwolf]

Week #1: "I have a gun, a lot of ammo, and some food. I'll be OK."
Week #2: "I have a gun, a little less ammo and no food. I think I
need to get some food...."
Week #3: "I have a gun, some ammo, I'm starving and I know how to get
some food."

That's quite true. There's responsible gun owners, and then there's the insane survivalist cults in say, Southern Utah.

That's the sort I worry about, the sorts who will go "I have a gun, but I don't have any food. But the neighbors down the road have food, I will take theirs with my gun."

That's what looters think, too. That's why I have my own, to defend against THAT sort.

 

[NineseveN]

That's nice if you have the money to spend on preparedness supplies, to renew your stock every few years, etc, etc...

A lot of people don't. And that's just reality. And they're GOOD people. Hardworking people who might not have made it through school, but they'd been working hard at factories for 20 years, got laid off, and are barely squeaking by, working two or more crap jobs to feed their family.

There's a LOT of those. And they're your fellow Americans. What you're doing is showing that you've absorbed the administration's new ethos that everyone is on their own, needs to be self-sufficient, etc...for some part, that's true, but NOT when help is needed in a major diaster and people with no money and no car ended up trapped and desparate. Then, the government is supposed to be the rescuer and provider. That's what first-world nations do.

Isn't it a little sad that even dirt-poor-population Cuba managed to better organize busing-out of their poorest residents from areas to be hardest hit by the hurricane, and all we had was Brownie's comedy of errors while he worried about where to have dinner?

Oh yeah, beacuase Katrina came so suddenly, without warning, and no one had any time to prepare or evacuate...good point.

 

[BenW]

A lot of people don't. And that's just reality. And they're GOOD people. Hardworking people who might not have made it through school, but they'd been working hard at factories for 20 years, got laid off, and are barely squeaking by, working two or more crap jobs to feed their family.

As I mentioned in another thread, I saw a lot of satellite dishes on buildings in the "poor" part of New Orleans. A month without sat/cable service would easily give a family of four the bare necessities to wait out a 72 hour timeframe for help to arrive. I can buy a 12 pack of soup for $6 at Costco. Going a few months without basic cable and putting that money towards disaster supplies, a family of four could wait for govt help in relative comfort for a good week.

 

[wingnutx]

You can get food-grade jerry cans at Pep Boys for fairly cheap. 5 or 10 gallons iirc.

 

[gunsmith]

grin

I just stumbled on this thread, good read so far.
I personally love shtf threads, little by little I plan to be ready for it hitting.
s hitting the fan has happened to me a few times all ready, my friend thought I was crazy when I was going over escape plans for fires in the 5 story walk up I & he lived in...the building burned down when he wasn't home, I didn't get to save any of my stuff...why?...because I liked his dog & I broke into his house & saved it.

In san francisco my neighbor wanted to know "why I need a gun" I told her that I don't have enough food & water for after the next big earthquake so I will be taking it from my un- armed neighbors