PREPS PART 23: REDUNDANCY PREPS

LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
How are you prpeparing for the possibllity that your preps 'fail' or are destroyed? Do you have any backups?
Thanks to Charlie for suggesting this thread.


Examples:

Have a gennie.......gennie blows up and no electricity for anything. Are there "fall back" ways to go non electric.

Or.....your home burns down or gets looted, etc. and all your preps are gone. Or a major earthquake collapses your home and all the preps that are in it . Do folks have at least a small fall back stash of some basic stuff at another site?

I must admit I have failed in this catagory and need to fix that tomorrow. It should be easy enough to bury a large cooler with some basics, food water shelter first aide. Seal with duct tape before burying...or better, seal inside a large plastic bag sealed with duct tape then bury it.
I have a friend that has a rented a small storage locker. She keeps water and cans of gas and food and seasons of clothes there for ' just in case'.
It might be prudent for each of us to have a secret stash somewhere off site from our main preps.
What's your back-up?
 
Dinghy

Dinghy

Veteran Member
I haven't done this either. We have an old trailer that we keep at our camp land in the woods, but it's getting to be in really bad shape. We keep some food and clothes in it in the summer, but we really could never stay there for more than a few days. There is no water or electric. I really don't know what we would do if something major happened.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Backups of backups... after losing everything in a house fire many years ago, I've always kept some food, extra clothes, etc, in rubbermaid containers in our barn. These days, I'm also stocking our woods cabin as a possible BO site, in case we couldn't live in either the house or barns for some odd reason. It would also make a practical- if not comfortable- quarantine spot if we have a pandemic and "outsiders" (family members who don't live with us at the moment) come to stay once the virus is in the area.

We have an artesian well, known pure and able to pump 15 gallons a minute whether or not we have power. I've still got enough water bottled and stored in the basement for the unlikely chance the well became contaminated, or we got hit with something so quickly and unexpectedly that we couldn't install the hose I've got stashed which would run the overflow directly into cellar and then to the cellar drains. I don't want it installed now... the cellar is damp enough.

We love our outdoor wood furnace, but have a wood cookstove in the basement, all hooked up and ready to use. We also have a "spare" woodstove which we could install in the kitchen, although it would require actually punching a hole in the chimney and putting in a collar and connecting the stove. Could be done, though... given enough incentive.

If the power went down, we'd only use the generator to milk cows, wash the pipeline and keep the freezers cold. Everything else would be considered "unnecessary". Although in previous long-term (more than an hour or two) outages, we found ways to cook on the electric stove, wash dishes and quickly all grab showers while we had the gennie running for the other vital jobs. Worked very well, actually.

But if it broke, or we ran out of fuel, we have oil lamps, candles, and all sorts of non electric appliances for cooking, etc. Cows would be a problem, but I have plans in place for them, too. Hope I never had to use them!

One of the biggest things folks should think about is what happens if THEY get sick- you know who I mean- the planners, the doomers, the ones who know where everything is!? Many of us know our preps so well that we don't always label everything quite as thorougly as we might. I think someone here wrote about their husband making tumeric flavored cookies - close in color to cinnamon! Too easy for it to happen if you buy stuff in bulk and store it in canning jars or canisters.

If you are the only one who knows where the medical supplies are kept- or worse, the only one who has a clue about first aid or home nursing- some basic instruction might be in order. At the minimum, start writing a few things down! Ditto if you are a gourmet cook, or one who has done the cooking for so long that you rarely bother with a cookbook. If you are the only one with those skills, having a couple of VERY basic cookbooks on hand- plus some nutritious convenience food- could be a real life saver if you are the one who gets sick.

Probably the best thing you can do is remember, when it comes to preps, just like life- Murphy's Law rules!

Summerthyme
 
Christian for Israel

Christian for Israel

Knight of Jerusalem
burial vaults containing everything from food to a little cash to guns and ammo. buried in areas not likely to be developed for the next 50 years, and easily located when needed. mini-storage units work for larger stashes as well.
 
LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
Christian for Israel said:
burial vaults containing everything from food to a little cash to guns and ammo. buried in areas not likely to be developed for the next 50 years, and easily located when needed. mini-storage units work for larger stashes as well.
Click to expand...
BURIAL vaults? Care to eleborate?
 
Charlie

Charlie

Membership Revoked
I have several redundencies built into our place. One large commerical gennie, another small one. Large gennie is hooked to a 1,000 gallon propane tank. Small one is gasoline. It is just a back up unit now. Still have a large battery bank and inverter which I set up in 99. This allows us to run the gennie for a short time to recharge the batteries to save on fuel.

Place is heated by an outdoor wood boiler, but that requires electricity to run. All 3 of our units at our resort have free standing woodstove/fireplaces that do not require electricity. 2 of the units have hand pumps able to be mounted right on the kitchen sinks. Just pop off a little cover and screw on the pumps, water in about 2 minutes. We are on septics, so sewer is no problem. Flush the toilets with a 5 gallon bucket. We could live for years like this if no mongrel hoards of purple mutants attack.

Food is stored in 3 basements. Lose one building two are left, etc.

My final prep is my school bus hunting camp. I guess it can be called a bug out bus. This has a woodstove in it, with enough firewood for several days, full gas tank and additional fuel. My inverter is mounted on a carry panel and the bus is set up so that I can install it there with a few batteries in about 10 minutes. I take it with me when I go camping. Also have small 12 volt tv and a couple of radios. Plenty of tools to cut wood, fix stuff, etc. Bug out location is only an hours drive max deep in a national forest. I am familiar with the area as it is where my friends and I have hunted for many years. Very remote. My dad used to camp there and showed me a spot where there is a nice spring hole. He used to keep his canned goods in the spring in the winter to prevent freezing. We keep plenty of dried food, etc. on board at all times. Completely set up for extended camping with all the bells and whistles. Basic hunting and fishing supplies on board as well. I routinely go on two week hunting trips and have set everything up to have more than adequate supplies for several people to live like kings for at least that long.

Financial preps are in order as well, but will not elaborate for obvious reasons.
 
B

blueberry

Inactive
I am lacking in this area as well. All my physical preps are in my house. I do have another small building in my back yard, that I use to keep all my canning jars and supplies, and it is far enough away from the house, that if the house caught fire, the small building would be safe.

But there is no heat or air conditioning in the building. With 100+ degree heat in the summer, it would not be a good place to store food.
 
LoupGarou

LoupGarou

Ancient Fuzzball
Five sites, two above ground three below, each with at least the following:
250 gallons of bottled water
spring, well or stream nearby
Food, good supply
2000 pounds of dry dog food in metal trash cans or bigger metal sealed container
2 water purifiers
2 generators, and 30 gallons of Stabil'd gas
50 gallons of diesel fuel
4 cases of oil
4 sets of deep cycle batteries (most have 12-18 large AGM batteries
8 large and 4 small solar panels (two sites also have Air 403 wind generators)
200 AA NiMH batteries and 140 AAA NiMH batteries
four 12V NiMH/NiCd battery chargers (1 hour)
2 spools each of 10 Gauge (500 feet) of red, black, white, and green THHN wire
2 spools each of 6 Gauge (500 feet) of red, black, white and green THHN wire
1 large box (100) of Shottky Diodes for solar/wind
Four 60Amp charge controllers
Two 7 Amp charge controllers
Radio gear:
20 pairs FRS/GMRS radios
4 Grundig crank SW/AM/FM radios with light
4 Amateur VHF/UHF radios
1 packet radio system including either Jornada 690 or NEC mobilepro 880 laptop
1 merlin ricochet or sierra aircard for internet
4 12V 7-33AH AGM batteries and lots of AA and AAA NiMH batteries for FRS/GMRS
4 laser pointers, some modified with morse code key
lots of coax and connectors
antennas and parts to make more (8 section collinear antenna for UHF band {amateur/GMRS})
parts and tools to fix equipment (eg. butane soldering irons and butane fuel)
and many other goodies that I won't go into on the main...

Also have 2 ATVs, 2 carts/wagons, and a poorly trained dogsled team to go in the cart/wagon that gets pulled with the ATV.

Loup Garou
 
Last edited:
Christian for Israel

Christian for Israel

Knight of Jerusalem
LilRose said:
BURIAL vaults? Care to eleborate?
Click to expand...
usually i use 6" pvc pipe, 4 feet long. i glue on one end cap and use wheel bearing grease to seal the other. i then drill a hole in the cap and vacuum out the air with my pump 'n seal. i use post hole diggers to dig a hole 5 feet deep. i insert a piece of 8" pvc pipe in the hole, then slide the vault into the pipe (this prevents the dirt from settling around the vault and makes removal easier). finally i cap the larger pipe and cover it with dirt.

whenever i need to i can dig down a foot, uncap the pipe and pull the vault out, all within a few minutes (in case i'm in a hurry). then break the vacuum seal and pull off the cap and get my stuff.
 
Charlie

Charlie

Membership Revoked
CFI - That is a good idea. I will add it to my "to do list". I like the double sleeve idea.
 
Christian for Israel

Christian for Israel

Knight of Jerusalem
originally i designed them to be E&E kits in case the gvmt ever rounded up all the gun owners/christians and locked us away in concentration camps. i figured if i was on the run and needed to lay low after an escape i could get to a vault and be set. inside i put an sks and 200 rounds of ammo, a cheapo 9mm (tokarev) and 50 rounds, a black one piece jumpsuit (not as obvious as camo in a crowd, but still works to hide you in the bush), a cheap pair of boots, survival tabs (food for 2 weeks) water purification tabs and a collapsable canteen. fire starting materials, a tube tent and heavy duty mylar tarp. an axe head and folding knife, pocket chainsaw, $100 in five dollar bills and 20 silver quarters, etc. this all fit in two containers buried on land not likely to be developed for at least 50 years (often i find a place where high tension power lines cross a road, i then count a certain number of towers and tie string diagonally between the legs to find the center, and bury them there). if i ever need them i'll have food, water, clothing, shelter, fire, and armaments. :D
 
R

RC

Inactive
Christian for Israel said:
(often i find a place where high tension power lines cross a road, i then count a certain number of towers and tie string diagonally between the legs to find the center, and bury them there).
Click to expand...

That sounds like an excellent way to easily find it's location in a hurry, and to the inch. However, it seems to me that if someone saw you either place it there or retrieve it, at the very least, you would face a lot of questions. ("Hello 911, there's a guy putting a bomb under a power line tower! Yes, I know it's a bomb--it's a long white tube!")

If you placed it further away from critical infrastructure, an explanation about your hobby of geocaching would sound a lot more plausible.

On the other hand, I can't think of a better way to mark the spot to the inch without leaving a trace.
 
Christian for Israel

Christian for Israel

Knight of Jerusalem
well, i look for towers in rural areas, with lots of woods around, and usually travel far enough not to be in sight of the road. many people use those 'lanes' that are cleared around the towers, and one more isn't that suspicious. besides, i usually do it at night.

i forgot to mention, paint the vault with flat brown primer spray paint...it helps camouflage it.
 
LoupGarou

LoupGarou

Ancient Fuzzball
Current list (still woking on the details...)

Portable Assets:
Car:
2 BOBs each
2 Gallons water
2 FRS radios (Uniden with Weather radio) {HD}
1 Amateur radio {HRO}
10 Gallons extra gasoline
2 gallons extra antifreeze
8 quarts oil (20W50)
extra parts for cars

BOB:
1 RSV bible
1 MSR dragonfly stove w/ spare parts {BRMS}
2 bottles of Coleman fuel {WM}
1 bottle each of rice, mac&cheese, noodles and soup
2-3 Luxeon flashlights
1 Yaesu FT-817 Amateur radio {HRO}
1 Garmin Rino 120 GPS/FRS radio {Dick's Sporting Goods}
2 sets extra AA batteries NiMH {WM}
3 Coleman eXponent (5W each) foldable/flexible solar panels {Batteries Plus}
1 12V7AH AGM battery {telco}
1 Guardian Sweetwater filter {BRMS}
1 MSR MIOX water treatment system w/ extra batteries and rock salt {Dick's}
1 Topo map {Dick's}
1 Street map {AAA}
2 Suunto Compases {Dick's
2 small notebooks and pens (take notes/leave messages)
1 Small tool set with adjustable wrench (you never know what you might have to fix/disassemble/take...)
5 1 gallon ZipLock bags (for equipment during rain or river crossing) {WM}
4 large thick trashbags (shelter roof or if I have to cross river) {HD}
2 "ball up" hammocks (one for gear, one for me) {Inet}
1 complete set of clothes for 45-70 degree weather {RW}
1 extra T-shirt (black) and pair of shorts {RW}
1 pair of Hawaiian (colors/pattern) shorts and T-shirt (doesn't stick out too much, works like cammo even with NVG)
2 extra sets of socks {RW}
1 small medkit {WM}
1 small fishing kit {WM}
4 green (6") cyalume lightsticks and 24 IR (1.5") cyalume lightsticks {Inet/Manufacturer}
1 brush cutter saw {WM}
1 folding boxcutter knife and spare blades (keep away from airports) {HD}
2 rolls of electrical tape {HD}
All this in a backpack that has a built in 1 gallon (might be 2 gallon) water pouch with bite valve {WM}

Fixed Assets:
Food (sealed in CO2):
500lbs of rice per person planned to be there {Sams}
100lbs of various pasta {Sams}
200lbs of flour {Sams}
250lbs of sugar {Sams}
100-150lbs of salt {Sams}
a lot of other stock/base items (my memory is slipping...) {Sams,WM...}
4 large bottles each of cinnamon, dill, garlic etc... {Sams,WM...}
10 cases of maruchan noodles (various flavors) {Sams}
20 cases of maruchan noodles (chicken) {Sams}
1 case bullion cubes {Sams}
Plenty of heirloom (non GM) seeds to grow a garden {Local supplier}
4 cases of Mac&Cheese {Sams}
4 cases of powdered milk (Sams)
2 cases of Coffee (needed for parents/friends) {Sams}
4 cases of Lipton Tea bags {Sams}
5 bags "Smarties" candy (for both diabetic and anklebiter control) {Sams}
Enough KoolAid to flavor/color a swimming pool (kids today "don't like" just plain water) (this will be rationed!)
6,000lbs of dog food (in the bag inside of 55gal drums, under CO2) {Sams}

Cooking:
2 MSR Dragonfly stoves with spare parts {BRMS}
4 Coleman dual fuel stoves {WM}
2 MSR Alcohol stoves {BRMS}
1 old large charcoal grill (that looks like it skipped the safe part and headed straight for sorryland)
2 solar ovens (homemade)
4 large packs of plastic "tupperware" plates and bowls {WM}
2 dozen tupperware large glasses {WM}
1 dozen "Fizzonator" insulated megamugs (64Oz) from Sheetz (perfect for hot VA weather)
6 large packs of heavy duty plastic utensils {Sams}
2 dozen good steak knives {WM}
1 Teflon cutting board {WM}
2 sets of "other" utensils (spatulas, whiskers, etc...) {WM}
4 large and 3 small (Aluminum or Copper disked bottom) frypans {WM}
4 large and 5 small (Al/Cu disked bottom) pots {WM}

Water:
20-30 Daimond Springs 5 gallon water bottles (unopened from DS)
20-30 DS 5 gallon water bottles (refilled with MIOX)
10 3 gallon water bottles (unopened) {HD}
2 water bubblers (fountains) that will take the 5 or 3 gallon bottles {HD}
5 hand pumps that will snap on to the 5 gallon bottles
2 12VDC water pumps w/hoses 58PSI for emergency well use {Northern Tool}
4 Guardian Sweetwater pumps with 3 filters each {BRMS, Dick's}
4 MSR MIOX pens with 1lb rock salt and 10 batteries each {BRMS, Dick's}
4 rocks/sand/clay/charcoal filters {homemade}
10 BigBlue sock filters {Inet}
300-500 feet of garden hoses {WM}
3 12VDC transfer (bilge) pump 500GPH {WM}

Meds:
10 large bottles of Asprin (Bayer coated, (ONLY medicine I will use)) {WM}
4 bottles of sweet oil for ears {WM}
4 large bottles of Attipulgite Clay Suspension {Inet}
2 cases of dry activated charcoal {Inet}
1 case each of OTC meds (Disorb, Antihistimines, Decongestants...) {WM}
1 Gallon of .9% IV saline {LS}
15 Gallons 5% saline (external wash) solution (homemade)
4 large cases of bandaids (1/2" to 6x6")
2 cases of gauze bandages {LS}
1 case of tribionic ointment {WM}
1 case of hydrocortisone 10% cream ointment {WM}
1 case of Transpore tape {LS}
2 cases of leg/arm wrap tape misc. colors {Inet}
10 rolls of electrical tape for splints/other {HD}
2 rolls of duct tape {HD}
2 dozen kits containing forceps, scissors, gauze, bandages, tape, hemostats and other {LS}
2 cases of Providone Iodine {LS}
1 case of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol {WM}
1 case of 3% H2O2 {WM}
1 case of cotton balls {WM}
2 cases of Q-Tips {WM}
1 case of suture material and dozens of needles {LS}
2 portable med kits with some of the above in each {homemade}
3 cases of Insulin syringes (for diabetic friends, he keeps extra meds/insulin) {LS}
1 case of misc. sized syringes (again for diabetic friends) {LS}
4 cases of Ivory Soap {Sams}
1 case of Irish Spring "Blue" soap {Sams}
3 cases of Shampo (gallon bottles) {Sams}
misc other items...

Shelter:
1 CASE 580B backhoe (w/ spare parts) (it really likes to dig big holes!)
200+ pallets (great for underground shoring and spreading roof loads)
100+ 2"x6"x12' boards {pulls form demolition}
100+ 2"x10"x14' boards {pulls}
50+ 6"x6"x40' steel I-Beams {pulls}
2 truckloads of sand
4 truckloads of large rocks
3 truckloads of small rocks
4 large rolls of screen wire (fiberglass)
4 large rolls of hardware cloth (.5"x.5" mesh)
6 25lb boxes of 3" and 4" exterior grade screws (Friend, Canada}
10 25lb boxes of 4" stainless steel screws {Friend, Canada, 1/4 the price of here in the US}
6 25lb boxes of 2" exterior grade screws {HD}
1 case of large 20x30 tarps {Inet}
1 case of medium 18x20 tarps {Inet}
6 large rolls of rolled roofing {HD}
10 large rolls of plastic sheeting (6-10mil) {HD}
2 5 gallon buckets of roof tar {HD}
large set of hand tools and some AC power tools
3 large sets of Ryobi 18V cordless tools with modified battery packs for 28V direct use (homemade DC-DC conv)
large assortment of PVC pipe and fittings for water drains and air movement
several cases (various color) cammo spray paint {HD}

Clothes:
8 dozen pairs of socks (dark colors, my size) {WM}
3 dozen pairs of socks (various sizes) {WM/RW}
2 cases of underwear and undershirts (my size) {WM/RW}
36 pair of sweat pants (forest colors/black) {RW}(around $4.75 each)
54 sweat shirts (forest colors/black) {RW}(around $3.00 each)
1 dozen black baseball caps with neck skirts
4 dozen winter gloves (my size) {WM/RW}
3 dozen Winter gloves (smaller sizes) {WM/RW}
2 cases of laundry detergent {Sams}
2 rubbermaid storage totes to wash above in {WM}
4 100' clotheslines and clothespins {HD}

Fuel:
50 gallons diesel fuel with stablizer/dewaxer
30-50 gallons gasoline with Stabil
20 gallons Coleman Fuel (naphtha) {WM}
10 gallons SLX denatured alcohol (stove fuel) {HD}

Electricity:
Power sources:
2 Briggs&Stratton 1KW gasoline generators w/ 12VDC out {HD}
2 Briggs&Stratton 5.5KW gasoline generators {HD}
1 Kohler 12KW diesel generator {YS}
8 large solar panels (120W Kyocera or Siemens) {Inet, LS}
4 small solar panels (30-40W Unisolar flexible) {Inet, LS}
1 dozen or so small (AAA-D) solar battery chargers {Northern}
2 Air 403SS industrial wind gennys {Inet}
Wire:
1000' each of 10 Gauge of red, black, white, and green THHN {HD}
1000' each of 6 Gauge of red, black, white and green THHN {HD}
12 rolls of 14AWG speaker wire for drop cords {WM}
4 1000' rolls of Cat-3 Plenum wire for field phones/intercoms/microphones {Inet}
1 roll of RG58 coax for spare with a dozen+/- connectors {Inet}
Power storage:
4 large cases of AA alkaline batteries {HD ($13.00/36)}
6 cases of NiMH AA batteries {Inet}
4 cases of NiMH AAA batteries (Inet}
4 cases each of NiCd AA and AAA batteries {Inet}
1 case of 9V NiMH batteries {Inet}
3 cases of NiMH C and D batteries {Inet}
16 12V7AH AGM batteries {CRS}
10-12 12V12AH AGM batteries {CRS}
16 12V33AH AGM batteries {telco}
96 12V105AH AGM batteries (solar array battery bank) {telco}
Loads:
4-5 <150W modified sine wave (msw) inverters
4 200-500W Vector (msw) inverters
2 1000-2000W Vector (msw) inverters {Inet}
2 Trace 2400W 120VAC True Sine Wave inverters {LS}
4 Trace 5500W 120/240VAC True SW inverters {LS}
1 dozen misc. fans and air movers (the key to underground living)
several dozen LED lights (mostly homemade)
several 12V and 24V water pumps and 12V fuel pumps {Northern tool, VW}
wired remote microphones (I like to know about visitors in advance) {RS}
misc radios, electronic equipment and laptops (for Bible study, notes, mesages, etc...)
2 Husky 1M candlapower rechargeable spotlights {HD}
10+ Luxeon flashlights
2 dozen+ small LED flashlights {BL/WM}
10+ 1 hour 12V input (4 AA or 4 AAA NiMH/NiCd) battery chargers (Duracell) {WM}
2 12V small refrigerators (Peltier type)
Misc:
2 100count packs of Shottky Diodes for solar panels {Digikey}
5 each of 7Amp and 60Amp charge controllers {HRO, LS}
large assortment of fuses (blade, mini, glass, etc. pulled from old equipment)
large collection of circuit breakers (both DC and AC)
various switches, both for repair of items and new projects
2 large cases of misc parts (transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc...)

Communication gear:
3 Kenwood TM-241 Amateur radios {HRO}
2 Kenwood TH-78A dual band Amateur radios {HRO}
1 Kenwood TH-28A Amateur radio {HRO}
3 Yaesu VX-5 triple band amateur radios {HRO}
2 Yaesu FT-817 amateur radios {HRO}
2 Garmin Rino GPS/FRS radios {Dick's}
1 Trimble Flightmate GPS {Friend}
1 Trimble mil. GPS {Army Surplus}
8 pair assorted Motorola/Cobra/Uniden FRS/GMRS radios with extra rechargeable batteries
10 small solar battery rechargers
4 crank powered Grundig (FRS200) SW/AM/FM Radios {RS}
2 packet radio stations with either a HP Jornada 690 or NEC mobilepro 880 CE based laptop {HRO, Inet}
4 full sets of "rubber duck" (or fiberglass whip) antennas (10M, 11M, 2M, 70cM, and GMRS) {HRO, Inet}
4 directional Yagis for 70cM and 2M use {HRO/homemade}
2 Yagis for 6M {HRO}
10 roll-up "pocket" J-poles for 2M (homemade)
1 J-pole for 6M (homemade)
4 (8x) collinear antenna for GMRS (homemade)
2 1000' rolls of RG58 coax {NWC}
3 1000' rolls of RG8M coax {NWC}
5 1000' rolls of Belden 9913 coax {NWC}
2 1000' rolls of 14AWG green stranded copper wire (SW antenna) {HD}
2 dozen extra 8' ground rods {HD}
8 rolls of copper 6AWG solid ground wire {HD}
2 PVC pipe (cammo painted like my antennas are) 30 foot antenna towers (and yes, I did say PVC pipe)
1 40' steel telescoping mast {RS}
2 large cases of coax connectors and adapters {HRO, RS, LS}
Several sets of parts to make wire dipole shortwave antennas {HD, RS}
Several laser pointers, modified with morse code key and black PVC shroud {RS, HRO, Inet}

Prev. Maint. (or repair) materials:
1 case Stabil gasoline preservative {WM}
8 cases of 20W50 oil (Castrol) {WM}
5 cases of 10W40 oil (Castrol) {WM}
Spare parts, and more spare parts
2 Gallons of SLX denatured alcohol (parts cleaning) {HD}
2 Gallons of Mineral Spirits (parts cleaning) {HD}
4 cases of distilled water (battery maint) {WM}
4 bottles of Pacer Zap-a-Gap CA+ glue (green bottle, thick) {LS}
Box of assorted nuts, bolts, screws, springs and other hardware.
5 packs (10 rolls) electrical tape {HD}
2 cases of duct tape {HD}
3 butane soldering irons with plenty of silver bearing solder {Lowes}

Barter items:
Food: extra Mac&Cheese, Maruchan noodles, salt, etc.
Water: 1 gallon containers for water, extra filters (Britta makes one that will fit in a 20Oz bottle), Clorox
Meds: extra meds
Power: 14 cases of Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. Extra solar battery chargers & NiMH batts.
Fuel: Extra small containers for fuel that I keep around
Comms: Extra cases of FRS radios (after I have given away a few to the neighbors), extra crank shortwave radios
Prev. Maint: extra motor oil, extra spare parts
Misc: extra LED flashlights <$5 {BL/WM}

Weapons:
2 Pump BB air rifles
2 Crossbow pistols w/ extra parts and bolts
1 full size crossbow w/ extra parts and bolts
2 CO2 Airsoft pistols > 370FPS (great non-lethal device for close quarters)
I'm keeping the rest of the list quiet, but if you search a few of my posts you might get some ideas...


Key:
{Inet}=Internet store, could be eBay as well
{WM}=Walmart
{HD}=Home Depot
{BL}=BigLots
{RS}=Radio Shack
{RW}=Rugged Warehouse
{NWC}=Norfolk Wire and Cable
{HRO}=Ham Radio Outlet
{BRMS}=Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
{telco}=telephone company, either landline or cellular prev. maint. swapouts
{YS}=Yard Sale
{CRS}=Computer room swapouts (from U.P.S. systems (replaced every year whether they need it or not))

Still working on the details

Any suggestions or changes?

Loup Garou
 
M

Moe and Curly

Inactive
need for repair parts

My biggest concerns are the potential need for car and pickup parts that are essential to keep the vehicle running and which may be unavailable when the nearest junkyard er ah used auto parts facility is 50 miles away with no vehicle to get there, repair parts for generators and other needed equipment and the inability to store adequate fuel for the long term. I found a relatively cheap high output power source which is a compact tractor with a 3 cyl 1000cc diesel engine, 4 wheel drive, rotary mower and front end loader and a 15 kw 220volt Onan (John Deere) generator that will be powered by the power take off shaft for a total cost under $5500. I am buying 55 gallon drums to store fuel and have a wood stove and smaller gas generators. We have ample supplies of wood and I downloaded plans to convert a pickup to burn wood for vehicle fuel if it ever comes to that.

In a long term crisis, eventually the majority of vehicles will be out of operation due to lack of parts and/or fuel. Some hi tech thing will be difficult to manufacture such as computer parts, light bulbs, antibiotics, car batteries, and tires. Even small local industries would have trouble making this stuff so a supply of these items should be included in your long term planning efforts and would be good for barter if not needed for yourself.
 
C

cryhavoc

Inactive
LoupG -

I thought I was doing well, very well in fact, until I read your contribution to this thread.

Now I realize how bad I suck. I went to the garage and looked at my 'preps' and thought to myself, "Loup Garou would just laugh his ass off..."

I used to think I had a chance.....now, I just know how bad I suck.

I'm a dead man.

cryhavoc

Ps: My Yaesu VX-5 is very cool....:)
 
S

Splicer205

Deceased
LoupGarou said:
Current list (still woking on the details...)

Portable Assets:
Car:
2 BOBs each
2 Gallons water
2 FRS radios (Uniden with Weather radio) {HD}
1 Amateur radio {HRO}
10 Gallons extra gasoline
2 gallons extra antifreeze
8 quarts oil (20W50)
extra parts for cars

BOB:
1 RSV bible
1 MSR dragonfly stove w/ spare parts {BRMS}
2 bottles of Coleman fuel {WM}
1 bottle each of rice, mac&cheese, noodles and soup
2-3 Luxeon flashlights
1 Yaesu FT-817 Amateur radio {HRO}
1 Garmin Rino 120 GPS/FRS radio {Dick's Sporting Goods}
2 sets extra AA batteries NiMH {WM}
3 Coleman eXponent (5W each) foldable/flexible solar panels {Batteries Plus}
1 12V7AH AGM battery {telco}
1 Guardian Sweetwater filter {BRMS}
1 MSR MIOX water treatment system w/ extra batteries and rock salt {Dick's}
1 Topo map {Dick's}
1 Street map {AAA}
2 Suunto Compases {Dick's
2 small notebooks and pens (take notes/leave messages)
1 Small tool set with adjustable wrench (you never know what you might have to fix/disassemble/take...)
5 1 gallon ZipLock bags (for equipment during rain or river crossing) {WM}
4 large thick trashbags (shelter roof or if I have to cross river) {HD}
2 "ball up" hammocks (one for gear, one for me) {Inet}
1 complete set of clothes for 45-70 degree weather {RW}
1 extra T-shirt (black) and pair of shorts {RW}
1 pair of Hawaiian (colors/pattern) shorts and T-shirt (doesn't stick out too much, works like cammo even with NVG)
2 extra sets of socks {RW}
1 small medkit {WM}
1 small fishing kit {WM}
4 green (6") cyalume lightsticks and 24 IR (1.5") cyalume lightsticks {Inet/Manufacturer}
1 brush cutter saw {WM}
1 folding boxcutter knife and spare blades (keep away from airports) {HD}
2 rolls of electrical tape {HD}
All this in a backpack that has a built in 1 gallon (might be 2 gallon) water pouch with bite valve {WM}

Fixed Assets:
Food (sealed in CO2):
500lbs of rice per person planned to be there {Sams}
100lbs of various pasta {Sams}
200lbs of flour {Sams}
250lbs of sugar {Sams}
100-150lbs of salt {Sams}
a lot of other stock/base items (my memory is slipping...) {Sams,WM...}
4 large bottles each of cinnamon, dill, garlic etc... {Sams,WM...}
10 cases of maruchan noodles (various flavors) {Sams}
20 cases of maruchan noodles (chicken) {Sams}
1 case bullion cubes {Sams}
Plenty of heirloom (non GM) seeds to grow a garden {Local supplier}
4 cases of Mac&Cheese {Sams}
4 cases of powdered milk (Sams)
2 cases of Coffee (needed for parents/friends) {Sams}
4 cases of Lipton Tea bags {Sams}
5 bags "Smarties" candy (for both diabetic and anklebiter control) {Sams}
Enough KoolAid to flavor/color a swimming pool (kids today "don't like" just plain water) (this will be rationed!)
6,000lbs of dog food (in the bag inside of 55gal drums, under CO2) {Sams}

Cooking:
2 MSR Dragonfly stoves with spare parts {BRMS}
4 Coleman dual fuel stoves {WM}
2 MSR Alcohol stoves {BRMS}
1 old large charcoal grill (that looks like it skipped the safe part and headed straight for sorryland)
2 solar ovens (homemade)
4 large packs of plastic "tupperware" plates and bowls {WM}
2 dozen tupperware large glasses {WM}
1 dozen "Fizzonator" insulated megamugs (64Oz) from Sheetz (perfect for hot VA weather)
6 large packs of heavy duty plastic utensils {Sams}
2 dozen good steak knives {WM}
1 Teflon cutting board {WM}
2 sets of "other" utensils (spatulas, whiskers, etc...) {WM}
4 large and 3 small (Aluminum or Copper disked bottom) frypans {WM}
4 large and 5 small (Al/Cu disked bottom) pots {WM}

Water:
20-30 Daimond Springs 5 gallon water bottles (unopened from DS)
20-30 DS 5 gallon water bottles (refilled with MIOX)
10 3 gallon water bottles (unopened) {HD}
2 water bubblers (fountains) that will take the 5 or 3 gallon bottles {HD}
5 hand pumps that will snap on to the 5 gallon bottles
2 12VDC water pumps w/hoses 58PSI for emergency well use {Northern Tool}
4 Guardian Sweetwater pumps with 3 filters each {BRMS, Dick's}
4 MSR MIOX pens with 1lb rock salt and 10 batteries each {BRMS, Dick's}
4 rocks/sand/clay/charcoal filters {homemade}
10 BigBlue sock filters {Inet}
300-500 feet of garden hoses {WM}
3 12VDC transfer (bilge) pump 500GPH {WM}

Meds:
10 large bottles of Asprin (Bayer coated, (ONLY medicine I will use)) {WM}
4 bottles of sweet oil for ears {WM}
4 large bottles of Attipulgite Clay Suspension {Inet}
2 cases of dry activated charcoal {Inet}
1 case each of OTC meds (Disorb, Antihistimines, Decongestants...) {WM}
1 Gallon of .9% IV saline {LS}
15 Gallons 5% saline (external wash) solution (homemade)
4 large cases of bandaids (1/2" to 6x6")
2 cases of gauze bandages {LS}
1 case of tribionic ointment {WM}
1 case of hydrocortisone 10% cream ointment {WM}
1 case of Transpore tape {LS}
2 cases of leg/arm wrap tape misc. colors {Inet}
10 rolls of electrical tape for splints/other {HD}
2 rolls of duct tape {HD}
2 dozen kits containing forceps, scissors, gauze, bandages, tape, hemostats and other {LS}
2 cases of Providone Iodine {LS}
1 case of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol {WM}
1 case of 3% H2O2 {WM}
1 case of cotton balls {WM}
2 cases of Q-Tips {WM}
1 case of suture material and dozens of needles {LS}
2 portable med kits with some of the above in each {homemade}
3 cases of Insulin syringes (for diabetic friends, he keeps extra meds/insulin) {LS}
1 case of misc. sized syringes (again for diabetic friends) {LS}
4 cases of Ivory Soap {Sams}
1 case of Irish Spring "Blue" soap {Sams}
3 cases of Shampo (gallon bottles) {Sams}
misc other items...

Shelter:
1 CASE 580B backhoe (w/ spare parts) (it really likes to dig big holes!)
200+ pallets (great for underground shoring and spreading roof loads)
100+ 2"x6"x12' boards {pulls form demolition}
100+ 2"x10"x14' boards {pulls}
50+ 6"x6"x40' steel I-Beams {pulls}
2 truckloads of sand
4 truckloads of large rocks
3 truckloads of small rocks
4 large rolls of screen wire (fiberglass)
4 large rolls of hardware cloth (.5"x.5" mesh)
6 25lb boxes of 3" and 4" exterior grade screws (Friend, Canada}
10 25lb boxes of 4" stainless steel screws {Friend, Canada, 1/4 the price of here in the US}
6 25lb boxes of 2" exterior grade screws {HD}
1 case of large 20x30 tarps {Inet}
1 case of medium 18x20 tarps {Inet}
6 large rolls of rolled roofing {HD}
10 large rolls of plastic sheeting (6-10mil) {HD}
2 5 gallon buckets of roof tar {HD}
large set of hand tools and some AC power tools
3 large sets of Ryobi 18V cordless tools with modified battery packs for 28V direct use (homemade DC-DC conv)
large assortment of PVC pipe and fittings for water drains and air movement
several cases (various color) cammo spray paint {HD}

Clothes:
8 dozen pairs of socks (dark colors, my size) {WM}
3 dozen pairs of socks (various sizes) {WM/RW}
2 cases of underwear and undershirts (my size) {WM/RW}
36 pair of sweat pants (forest colors/black) {RW}(around $4.75 each)
54 sweat shirts (forest colors/black) {RW}(around $3.00 each)
1 dozen black baseball caps with neck skirts
4 dozen winter gloves (my size) {WM/RW}
3 dozen Winter gloves (smaller sizes) {WM/RW}
2 cases of laundry detergent {Sams}
2 rubbermaid storage totes to wash above in {WM}
4 100' clotheslines and clothespins {HD}

Fuel:
50 gallons diesel fuel with stablizer/dewaxer
30-50 gallons gasoline with Stabil
20 gallons Coleman Fuel (naphtha) {WM}
10 gallons SLX denatured alcohol (stove fuel) {HD}

Electricity:
Power sources:
2 Briggs&Stratton 1KW gasoline generators w/ 12VDC out {HD}
2 Briggs&Stratton 5.5KW gasoline generators {HD}
1 Kohler 12KW diesel generator {YS}
8 large solar panels (120W Kyocera or Siemens) {Inet, LS}
4 small solar panels (30-40W Unisolar flexible) {Inet, LS}
1 dozen or so small (AAA-D) solar battery chargers {Northern}
2 Air 403SS industrial wind gennys {Inet}
Wire:
1000' each of 10 Gauge of red, black, white, and green THHN {HD}
1000' each of 6 Gauge of red, black, white and green THHN {HD}
12 rolls of 14AWG speaker wire for drop cords {WM}
4 1000' rolls of Cat-3 Plenum wire for field phones/intercoms/microphones {Inet}
1 roll of RG58 coax for spare with a dozen+/- connectors {Inet}
Power storage:
4 large cases of AA alkaline batteries {HD ($13.00/36)}
6 cases of NiMH AA batteries {Inet}
4 cases of NiMH AAA batteries (Inet}
4 cases each of NiCd AA and AAA batteries {Inet}
1 case of 9V NiMH batteries {Inet}
3 cases of NiMH C and D batteries {Inet}
16 12V7AH AGM batteries {CRS}
10-12 12V12AH AGM batteries {CRS}
16 12V33AH AGM batteries {telco}
96 12V105AH AGM batteries (solar array battery bank) {telco}
Loads:
4-5 <150W modified sine wave (msw) inverters
4 200-500W Vector (msw) inverters
2 1000-2000W Vector (msw) inverters {Inet}
2 Trace 2400W 120VAC True Sine Wave inverters {LS}
4 Trace 5500W 120/240VAC True SW inverters {LS}
1 dozen misc. fans and air movers (the key to underground living)
several dozen LED lights (mostly homemade)
several 12V and 24V water pumps and 12V fuel pumps {Northern tool, VW}
wired remote microphones (I like to know about visitors in advance) {RS}
misc radios, electronic equipment and laptops (for Bible study, notes, mesages, etc...)
2 Husky 1M candlapower rechargeable spotlights {HD}
10+ Luxeon flashlights
2 dozen+ small LED flashlights {BL/WM}
10+ 1 hour 12V input (4 AA or 4 AAA NiMH/NiCd) battery chargers (Duracell) {WM}
2 12V small refrigerators (Peltier type)
Misc:
2 100count packs of Shottky Diodes for solar panels {Digikey}
5 each of 7Amp and 60Amp charge controllers {HRO, LS}
large assortment of fuses (blade, mini, glass, etc. pulled from old equipment)
large collection of circuit breakers (both DC and AC)
various switches, both for repair of items and new projects
2 large cases of misc parts (transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc...)

Communication gear:
3 Kenwood TM-241 Amateur radios {HRO}
2 Kenwood TH-78A dual band Amateur radios {HRO}
1 Kenwood TH-28A Amateur radio {HRO}
3 Yaesu VX-5 triple band amateur radios {HRO}
2 Yaesu FT-817 amateur radios {HRO}
2 Garmin Rino GPS/FRS radios {Dick's}
1 Trimble Flightmate GPS {Friend}
1 Trimble mil. GPS {Army Surplus}
8 pair assorted Motorola/Cobra/Uniden FRS/GMRS radios with extra rechargeable batteries
10 small solar battery rechargers
4 crank powered Grundig (FRS200) SW/AM/FM Radios {RS}
2 packet radio stations with either a HP Jornada 690 or NEC mobilepro 880 CE based laptop {HRO, Inet}
4 full sets of "rubber duck" (or fiberglass whip) antennas (10M, 11M, 2M, 70cM, and GMRS) {HRO, Inet}
4 directional Yagis for 70cM and 2M use {HRO/homemade}
2 Yagis for 6M {HRO}
10 roll-up "pocket" J-poles for 2M (homemade)
1 J-pole for 6M (homemade)
4 (8x) collinear antenna for GMRS (homemade)
2 1000' rolls of RG58 coax {NWC}
3 1000' rolls of RG8M coax {NWC}
5 1000' rolls of Belden 9913 coax {NWC}
2 1000' rolls of 14AWG green stranded copper wire (SW antenna) {HD}
2 dozen extra 8' ground rods {HD}
8 rolls of copper 6AWG solid ground wire {HD}
2 PVC pipe (cammo painted like my antennas are) 30 foot antenna towers (and yes, I did say PVC pipe)
1 40' steel telescoping mast {RS}
2 large cases of coax connectors and adapters {HRO, RS, LS}
Several sets of parts to make wire dipole shortwave antennas {HD, RS}
Several laser pointers, modified with morse code key and black PVC shroud {RS, HRO, Inet}

Prev. Maint. (or repair) materials:
1 case Stabil gasoline preservative {WM}
8 cases of 20W50 oil (Castrol) {WM}
5 cases of 10W40 oil (Castrol) {WM}
Spare parts, and more spare parts
2 Gallons of SLX denatured alcohol (parts cleaning) {HD}
2 Gallons of Mineral Spirits (parts cleaning) {HD}
4 cases of distilled water (battery maint) {WM}
4 bottles of Pacer Zap-a-Gap CA+ glue (green bottle, thick) {LS}
Box of assorted nuts, bolts, screws, springs and other hardware.
5 packs (10 rolls) electrical tape {HD}
2 cases of duct tape {HD}
3 butane soldering irons with plenty of silver bearing solder {Lowes}

Barter items:
Food: extra Mac&Cheese, Maruchan noodles, salt, etc.
Water: 1 gallon containers for water, extra filters (Britta makes one that will fit in a 20Oz bottle), Clorox
Meds: extra meds
Power: 14 cases of Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. Extra solar battery chargers & NiMH batts.
Fuel: Extra small containers for fuel that I keep around
Comms: Extra cases of FRS radios (after I have given away a few to the neighbors), extra crank shortwave radios
Prev. Maint: extra motor oil, extra spare parts
Misc: extra LED flashlights <$5 {BL/WM}

Weapons:
2 Pump BB air rifles
2 Crossbow pistols w/ extra parts and bolts
1 full size crossbow w/ extra parts and bolts
2 CO2 Airsoft pistols > 370FPS (great non-lethal device for close quarters)
I'm keeping the rest of the list quiet, but if you search a few of my posts you might get some ideas...


Key:
{Inet}=Internet store, could be eBay as well
{WM}=Walmart
{HD}=Home Depot
{BL}=BigLots
{RS}=Radio Shack
{RW}=Rugged Warehouse
{NWC}=Norfolk Wire and Cable
{HRO}=Ham Radio Outlet
{BRMS}=Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
{telco}=telephone company, either landline or cellular prev. maint. swapouts
{YS}=Yard Sale
{CRS}=Computer room swapouts (from U.P.S. systems (replaced every year whether they need it or not))

Still working on the details

Any suggestions or changes?

Loup Garou
Click to expand...

Did I miss the matches, lighters, or firestarters? And toothpaste, toothbrush, comb and brush? :lol: Oh yeah, and cooking oil. Sorry, just had to find something you didn't have.
 
LoupGarou

LoupGarou

Ancient Fuzzball
cryhavoc,

No, you are not a dead man. You are prepared for you and your family. I had (still have a few) DGI family and friends that I am also prepping for. My father is still a contributing member of the rose-colored-glasses team, who still believes that soon the market will hit 20,000. I started getting a feeling that bad times were coming back in the late 80s and early 90s. After being in DC and seeing the issues with China's spying on us (our labs), and our government's attitude towards it, I realized that we had about 20 years left, MAX. I started "prepping" long before Y2K. I figure that this world won't make it till 2010 with the same structure that it has now. I saw "companies" like Hutcheson-Wampoa and foreigners like Moctar Riady and crew buying their way into this country while Clinton and the DC crowd smiled on. The fire sale is just about over, and the new owners are about to change the rules of business. Picture what would happen if the following list was owned/ran by outside companies (H-W is an arm of the PRC and it's military branches, as is COSCO):

Oil companies (in progress NOW!)
Electric compaines (they would only need a scattered few to shut down the grid)
Maintenence companies (Imagine the issues in DC traffic)
Natural Gas companies (picture cold winters)
Water companies (Water water everywhere and not allowed to drink)
Public works/Govt. depts. (IRS and DMV are now using India&FE to process records {makes ya feel safe})

We all feared for our jobs with outsourcing. Welcome to inning #2, inslicing. Govt. has realized the vulture capitalism version of business, make as much money as you can, however you can, keep the shareholders happy at any cost, and just as the last drop of life is sucked out of the business, sell the scraps and jump to the next opportunity. Leaving the shell to be rumaged by the new owner, with workers that can't leave because they are broke and must endure whatever the new CEO throws at them. We have been Enroned! Welcome to organized slave labor. They can't make the minimum wage go down, so they raise the prices of everything else in life. The need to be working 2 or three jobs (both husband and wife) was unheard of back in the 40s and 50s.

The secret to getting by, save up enough money to get a small piece of land out in the sticks. Then buy needs, not wants. Realize that in the blink of an eye, life as you know it will change. Get used to that lifestyle now. Bye bye cable, internet, modern conveniences, hello 60-70 hour work weeks for even the kids. The term "make ends meet" will become a prayer for the middle class. The lower classes will have an extinction level event of their own within the first 120 days, that will make the LA riots look like Seasame Street. Picture what would happen if government support (both financial and other) as well as cable, power, water, and fuel disappeared within days. Not a pretty sight.

Prepare for the worst, Pray for the best, and be ready for anything else. Make sure your faith in the Lord is your first prep, and all else will fall into place.

Loup Garou
 
LoupGarou

LoupGarou

Ancient Fuzzball
splicerswife wrote:
"Did I miss the matches, lighters, or firestarters? And toothpaste, toothbrush, comb and brush? Oh yeah, and cooking oil. Sorry, just had to find something you didn't have."

You are right, I did forget a few things. I will post updates as I remember them. Such as:

2 large Fresnel lenses (12"x12") {pulls from overhead projectors}
10 small Fresnel lenses (pocket size) {WM}
1 case of refillable bic mini lighters {CVS/Walgreens}
2 cases of butane fuel {CVS/Walgreens}
3 butane torches {Northern Tool}
10+ flint rods (4 in each BOB, actually the safest way to light the MSR Stove) {WM}
5+ magnesium blocks {WM}
1 case strike anywhere matches {WM}

1 case of Crest regular toothpaste {Sams}
2 dozen misc toothbrushes (they're new ones, don't gag) {WM}
6 large bags of disposable bic razors {Sams}

As far as comb and brush, after the TSHTF, I don't think I will have time to worry about my hair as I am looking out for the enemy cresting the next nearby hill. Actually, I do have a few combs put away, but they are the stainless steel ones for my furry kids, not me.

Loup Garou
 
Phil Ca

Phil Ca

Inactive
Some excellant ideas and great lists here. Our current economic sitrep precludes us from considering an altrnate site to stay at the moment. Also my recent injury will take some time to heal and then i will work in earnest to rid the garage of the un-needed items and prepare to move if we have to.

One thing that should be in every kit or vehicle is the "Foot Care" kit. I think Coughlan's has them and the Walking Company and some stores like Big Five and other outdoor supply stores have them. When we arrived in Geneva our son had been breaking in a pair of shoes and not watching what he was doing. He developed a blister on both heels on the side and was an unhappy camper. I happened to have two different sizes of the foot care kit and gave him one. He treated the areas and in two days was all cleared up. My wife and I have a hard enough time getting around but I keep the foot care kit handy anyway.

On our trip I carried a combo shoulder/belt bag that carries my digital camera w/o a case and a few necessaries like, chapstick, bandaids, whistle,compass and temperature guage in fahrenheit and celsius. It also has a pack of tissues, pen and cards to write on, a local map and transportation map, phonecard, matches, mini Maglite, bandana, sunglasses,and sundry other things that I feel I cannot be without. A small AM/FM radio with earbuds is also in there. At home a knife and maybe spare ammo would also find a place there. The little packets of salt from the plane are also there.The black nylon case also made a temporary pillow for my head as I lay on the sidewalk after the accident. The bag is from the Walking Company for about 20 dollars I believe.

Go to www.survival-center.com/ and check out Capt. Dave's site. Click on Bug Out Bags for more lists.
 
LoupGarou

LoupGarou

Ancient Fuzzball
I do have a lot more stuff in the medicine area (especially in the portable medkits, which even have an emergency Tracheotomy kit and an advanced burn kit). I am even looking for one of those portable defib kits that they are now putting in shopping malls and airports (my dad ( :ld: ) has a few heart problems... :shk: ).
I will be going up to the land in a few days and get a full inventory, including medkits. Most of my med. supplies are hospital grade that a friend of mine (who is in that trade) has got for me. I haved learned the fact that we can't get through this alone, and only by sharing ideas and resources are we going to be able to survive well. Several of my family members and friends will all meet up there if TSHTF. I have two cousins that are nurses. I also have "canine" medkits for my wolves and a small medkit for my brothers cat. I have been pickng up items for the last 15 years, a little at a time. Two blow up camping beds here, sheets there, WM's favorite acrylic "throws" here and there. I purchased beach towels on sale because they dry quicker than regular ones, and because I am a large person (Yes doctor, I'm in shape, ROUND is a shape!). I should have a more complete list by tuesday evening (maybe even with pictures.)


Loup Garou
 
Aunt Peg

Aunt Peg

Inactive
Most of you put our preps to shame! But when I think about my neighbors, they got no clue! But one thing that I often see missing on lists, is some form of glue/superglue/epoxy. Did you know people have fixed cracked engine heads with JB Weld epoxy. And a tube or two of 5 minute epoxy for quick fixes. And don't forget the duct tape.

And another thought that I don't often see on lists, a crystal radio set. You can often get them at Radio Shack or toy stores for under $10 for a kit. They use no batteries.
 
Phil Ca

Phil Ca

Inactive
Aunt Peg, the duct tape is one of the most important items for travelers. Some of the hardware stores carry smalll flat packs of tape that are easy to tuck in a suitcase or carry on. They come in different colors as well.

On our recent trip we had one older suitcase made of black nylon that had several patches made from duct tape. It could stand another trip with some tape and dental floss string sewn around one area.

I have used duct tape on peoples cars that allowed them to continue their journy until they wer able to reach a repair place.
 
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