WanderLore
Veteran Member
When I was on the d-mat team I was activated twice for Katrina. Also we are good to go and my sister who is in Miami is in the prepping mode now which is very good
PREP Prepping for the apocalypse, 2020 chapter and verse
- Thread starter Used Camels
- Start date
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
We are well prepped and own our own. There are plenty of rednecks around here that can and will shoot when necessary. But as far as food is concerned, other than freezers full of wild game, I doubt they have enough of basics to hold them for long. We have six 7 gallon propane tanks and 5 or 6 of the grill size that are all full. We have a generator that runs on propane, so we can hold out with that for awhile. We may be low on Gas stores, I'll have to check. Other than that I do not need to go to the store. Been doing this for a long time.
One thing I've done in the last several months is to work my way to having 52 cans of things we could eat once a week to help prevent food fatigue.
Judy
One thing I've done in the last several months is to work my way to having 52 cans of things we could eat once a week to help prevent food fatigue.
Judy
Mr. Peabody
Veteran Member
Your plans depend on where you are going to hold out. Urban, rural or isolated out in the sticks. Each has it's own problems and benefits. Urban not so much on the benefits but it makes up for it with increased problems.
AlaskaSue
North to the Future
That’s what my folks and many others have as backup on The Rock...aka Kodiak Island. It’s a rain forest but due to little soil, the rain just runs quickly back into the sea. This is a really good option if you have a place for it!
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Some older propane stoves don't have the newer government required safety $#!t on them. Those older stoves allow an owner to use the oven as well as the cook top during an emergency. They have pilot lights instead of an electric ignition.
One drawback is that the stove must be completely off when the tanks are being filled. If the user runs out of gas and leaves the burner or oven "on" while the tanks are filled the house can fill up with gas and ignite. Not a good thing.
They should also be labeled UL or Underwriters Laboratory inspected. This usually keeps the insurance company happy.
Some stoves can be converted to use pilot lights.
One drawback is that the stove must be completely off when the tanks are being filled. If the user runs out of gas and leaves the burner or oven "on" while the tanks are filled the house can fill up with gas and ignite. Not a good thing.
They should also be labeled UL or Underwriters Laboratory inspected. This usually keeps the insurance company happy.
Some stoves can be converted to use pilot lights.
Store what you use … and use what you store. It really is just that simple.
Mine is a propane with pilot, (stovetop and oven) We've never run out of gas...it pays to pay attention to these things. But no gas supplier in their right mind would ever fill an empty bulk tank without access to the house and the pilots. It's standard safety procedure.
Now, if you are screwing around with small tanks and swapping them out on your own...same rule applies. Don't leave the pilots unlit or the burners open/on.
Profit of Doom
Dismember
Some time back there was a thread about a couple that was moving a barbecue in their minivan. Apparently the tank valve was open and the burner valve got bumped on, and nobody noticed the smell in the vehicle.
Until somebody lit up...
Until somebody lit up...
AppleJacks
Contributing Member
Yes!!! Choose 7 meals that can be made from pantry. There is a week. Repeat 52 times and you have a year of meals (dinners) such as : spaghetti & sauce, rice & beans, Soups, etc. I have rolled oats for breakfasts mostly as well.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Mine never did. On one of their first calls they asked if I was sure the gas was off. It was and there were no problems or further questions.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
When I get back home I'll be in the middle of nowhere and have to check on the livestock and the horses. They are being tended while I'm gone.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
One of the seven meals for me (probably not DH) is stove top stuffing with a large can of chicken in it. Stove top is the only stuffing I like, so I really like this meal. I have other things for DH. I did buy a generic brand of stove top and it was very bland, have to figure out the seasoning for it to have a taste.
I'm not too sure about breakfast for DH, probably pancakes, now he eats bacon and eggs, but if the chickens went away for some reason (like lack of laying pellets) it would have to be something else. As long as we have power we have four freezers stuffed with meat.
Because I Intermittent Fast I don't eat breakfast, usually just one meal and a small snack.
Judy
Jubilee on Earth
Veteran Member
I just bought my hubby a Lithium Ion battery chain saw so we can charge it with our solar panels. Bought it off of Amazon. We'll see how it works. We're switching most of what we use to rechargeable batter so we don't have to rely on gas.
China Connection
TB Fanatic
I bought some bags today of sheep shit. I'm ready...... I don't know what for but I have shit.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Spices and spice mixes can help vary the flavor of using the same base ingredients. Beans and rice are beans and rice, with spice they can become Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Italian etc. Grayvies and various sauces (powdered packets, cans and jared) can also bring comforting familiar flavors to shelf stable food.
Also a few drops of vanilla flavoring can make powdered milk more palatable. Flavored Jello powder may make rehydration solutions or boiled/sterilized water more appealing. Some Amish bulk food stores sell it in bulk or broken down into smaller amounts but still way more than in the tiny little Jello boxes. Might be good to know if trying to encourage someone to up their intake of fluids?
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Funny...it's dead of winter here, but my mind went to spring necessities yesterday, too. Made up my seed order and got it in, and today will be working on finalizing the order for chicks to come the first of May. Just thinking it might be nice to beat any possible rush later.
And a big second to what Old Gray Mare said about spices. You can cover a lot of different cuisines and avoid food burnout if you keep the basics for Italian, Mexican, Oriental, Indian etc. stashed away. And gravy. Makes lots of tired old basics go down better. I credit my grandma and mom for teaching me how to make good gravy out of almost anything.
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jed turtle
a brother in the Lord
for the umpteenth time, I recommend people spend some time studying the forum at driveonWood.com. Running your generator or vehicle on wood or charcoal gas.
better designs than those used all over the world in WW2.
propane and gasoline and diesel will eventually run out in grid down. Stay powered up with wood.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
When I'm trying to have a conversation about food prepping with those just getting started, there are two things that causes them to stare at me like zombies. 1. They are set back by the amount of food one needs for one year. 2. The need to prevent food fatigue by choosing different varieties of meals for their pantry.
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Not debating your statement, because it is a good one. BUT might be hard to find. There's a small conservative town near us, BUT it has a Community College in the town. The conservative part of the town COULD be a neighbor helping neighbor, but the Community College part of town would probably be single minded in their devotion to themselves, and only themselves.
My suggestion would be, know your AO, and adapt to it. To include know your neighbors. Don't be so stuck in a rut, that you won't accept or give help, and don't be so far the other way to be a hermit. And keep that in mind, because the neighborhood may shift over time. Meaning there may be times when being a hermit is the way to go, and other times when being a good neighbor is the way to go.
Also in a previous statement concerning propane. If you don't have it (need it delivered) you don't have it. While propane may be a good filler, and you may have a couple of thousands gallons of it on hand, only ever consider it a transition phase to wood.
And it is so easy to prep for long term wood usage. Go buy a wood heater/stove for 1-200.00 and stove pipe to extend roughly 24" above anything within 8' of the stove pipe. Stick it in your shed. You're prepped. When the time comes, go get it set it up in the house, and run the pipe out a window. You'll need a couple of elbows, and some type of tin/medal to cover the open window. But it's no big deal.
The big deal comes in if you live in urban, town, apts. Then you will need lots and lots of blankets, wool is preferred, some really good sleeping bags for cold weather, (actually will need two each, since bags are rated for cold, and over the course of a year one will be to hot, and another to cold, so get both) and a grill.
I'll interject here that scale matters. If you scare new people off by telling them they need to store a year's supply of food and all is hopeless unless they convert to wood gas...they are gonna freeze like a deer in the headlights and do nothing.
Many of us have been at this for decades...or all our lives. Totally different perspective. For most people, a good start is having a couple weeks of soup, spaghetti, peanut butter crackers and pancake mix on hand, a camp stove, headlamps, case of water and sleeping bags. Alone...a big help for most common disruptions and miles ahead of the herd.
Many of us have been at this for decades...or all our lives. Totally different perspective. For most people, a good start is having a couple weeks of soup, spaghetti, peanut butter crackers and pancake mix on hand, a camp stove, headlamps, case of water and sleeping bags. Alone...a big help for most common disruptions and miles ahead of the herd.
For me once we got beyond beyond the basics, I started to look at what would be in shortage in a wartime setting. Things like tires, light bubs, spare belts and parts for the necessary small equipment. Stuff like a spare kit for the oil burner. I also started to acquire the tools so that I could take care of the essentials like firewood by hand, raising a garden and small animals etc. I also look at clothing and footwear. I use Britain rationing in WW2 as a guide but add modern electronics to the mix. I don't believe we are going back to the 1800s anymore but for me that era is a passion of mine and I try to learn a variety of skills from that era and collect hand tools from that era.
When I first got out on my own and moved up here I looked at the worst natural disaster in the area in relatively recent times. That was the ice storm of 98. People were without power for 3 weeks. THat was my baseline. I wanted one month of food and fuel.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I agree about scaring people. That's why I start out by telling them to shoot for a month or three month supply when first starting out. Then work their way up to a year's supply if they are able to do so. On top of that, I work with them along the way. Been at this for some time now, and have helped several people get started. I'm not an expert by any means. I always tell people to do what they can, and trust God for the rest when it's all said and done.
For those who are able to do so, for longer term power outages, we recommend using wood. It's a renewable resource, and can be had for free in most cases when living out in the rural parts like we do. Of course, if one is only planning to be powerless for only a week or two, there are other means of heating and cooking available.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Yeah, I like to point out to the truely interested that anything ahead is better than the majority of people are likely to have - so start with figuring out what you use each week or month, and try budgeting to buy a month's worth ahead. Start with the most important items, the obvious stuff like Toliet paper, matches, bleach, some canned milk, etc.
Every family is going to vary and it will depend on where you live and how you live, a family with serious food allergies is going to have a different agenda than a family of two able-bodied adults with no known health issues, etc.
To some degree, the basic early stages of prepping are pretty much just good household management of the type most people don't get taught and tiny apartment kitchens (and homes built without storage space) are designed to encourage.
Once people get the hang of that, especially ways of purifying water (if you can't store much of it) become more obvious.
Every family is going to vary and it will depend on where you live and how you live, a family with serious food allergies is going to have a different agenda than a family of two able-bodied adults with no known health issues, etc.
To some degree, the basic early stages of prepping are pretty much just good household management of the type most people don't get taught and tiny apartment kitchens (and homes built without storage space) are designed to encourage.
Once people get the hang of that, especially ways of purifying water (if you can't store much of it) become more obvious.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I agree, Melodi. Right now, I'm working with a family friend who lives in a tiny apartment in town. Her basic needs are covered for a month. Working with her is a lot different from working with someone who lives in a larger home out in the sticks.
Used Camels
Inactive
I'll share the two lessons I've found most important and impactful acquired through my years of prepping, selling preps, advising preppers, and writing about preparedness ...
1. Some have touched on this--prepping is not about trying to survive "the big one." OK--it can be about that for some if that's what drives you. But every single day of the year, thousands of people out there get hit with something that has the potential to shatter their lives. Bad stuff happens. Disasters happen. Family crises, job losses, catastrophic injuries and disease, and on and on. If you are to some degree prepped for rainy days, it's going to be helpful.
No two kicks to the groin are alike and you don't know what brand of boot is going to leave on imprint on your Levis. But prepping beforehand is going to help you endure whatever comes your way.
2. In terms of prepping for "the big one" or some degree of disaster that seems like TEOTWAWKI, conventional wisdom used to be that you had to bug out, get out and away from urban and suburban environs. I think a lot of folks have realized that is not going to be the best advice for a majority of people.
If you have a rural retreat that is well provisioned and you are friendly with the neighbors around you there, however far away they may be, that may be the best option for you if you can realistically expect to get there when infrastructure and society are crumbling.
On the other hand, if you are gray haired or encumbered with a bunch of rugrats or are otherwise just not equipped to make your way out there without being capable and equipped to do so, you'll be better off prepping your own home for whatever risks you want to be prepped for.
For sure, it's less costly to have only one homestead to prep and maintain.
And it's also going to be more likely your primary residence is where your network of friends, family, and/or neighbors are going to be conveniently available for mutual support.
I know some folks plan to be lone wolves in a SHTF scenario, but wherever/however you plan to try to pull that off, that approach carries a lot of its own magnified risks.
1. Some have touched on this--prepping is not about trying to survive "the big one." OK--it can be about that for some if that's what drives you. But every single day of the year, thousands of people out there get hit with something that has the potential to shatter their lives. Bad stuff happens. Disasters happen. Family crises, job losses, catastrophic injuries and disease, and on and on. If you are to some degree prepped for rainy days, it's going to be helpful.
No two kicks to the groin are alike and you don't know what brand of boot is going to leave on imprint on your Levis. But prepping beforehand is going to help you endure whatever comes your way.
2. In terms of prepping for "the big one" or some degree of disaster that seems like TEOTWAWKI, conventional wisdom used to be that you had to bug out, get out and away from urban and suburban environs. I think a lot of folks have realized that is not going to be the best advice for a majority of people.
If you have a rural retreat that is well provisioned and you are friendly with the neighbors around you there, however far away they may be, that may be the best option for you if you can realistically expect to get there when infrastructure and society are crumbling.
On the other hand, if you are gray haired or encumbered with a bunch of rugrats or are otherwise just not equipped to make your way out there without being capable and equipped to do so, you'll be better off prepping your own home for whatever risks you want to be prepped for.
For sure, it's less costly to have only one homestead to prep and maintain.
And it's also going to be more likely your primary residence is where your network of friends, family, and/or neighbors are going to be conveniently available for mutual support.
I know some folks plan to be lone wolves in a SHTF scenario, but wherever/however you plan to try to pull that off, that approach carries a lot of its own magnified risks.
We are fairly well supplied and most of the people in the area are also due to the weather here. We have had snow on the 4th of July before and never know what the weather will do so everyone has at least a minimum of food supplies and heat. We live in a small town and have a BOL in the country. The one thing I am concerned about is DH's oxygen concentrator. Without having solar panels I am afraid it would be impossible to run. I know welding oxygen can be used as it is filled from the same O2 as the medical oxygen bottles but getting to the next town,15 miles away, to get the bottles would be a problem if worse comes to worst. A generator would only run so long before exhausting the fuel supply. I know his problem would be difficult to maintain in SHTF situation but does anyone have any thoughts? At the BOL we have a wind generator and deep cycle batteries. We are not allowed to have the wind generator in town.
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Used Camels is right.
While SouthernBreeze and I work on things together I do make the point that even FEMA recommends having 72 hours worth of preps. And I think they have a list of things at their site. I think they even recommend those in disaster areas, to have a weeks worth. I mean you can get a 72 hour FEMA bag minus food and water at Walmart.
If that scares people off then don't bother, let them die. You can lead a horse to water.......
And then build up to a month and months.
If things aren't back to normal in a year.....you're in the new normal. You can prepare for that last, do the 72 hours first.
While SouthernBreeze and I work on things together I do make the point that even FEMA recommends having 72 hours worth of preps. And I think they have a list of things at their site. I think they even recommend those in disaster areas, to have a weeks worth. I mean you can get a 72 hour FEMA bag minus food and water at Walmart.
If that scares people off then don't bother, let them die. You can lead a horse to water.......
And then build up to a month and months.
If things aren't back to normal in a year.....you're in the new normal. You can prepare for that last, do the 72 hours first.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I've had to take this attitude with family members and friends around here. They all think I'm nuts.
I bought this a couple of months ago to add to my stash:
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This TP is the kind I like and its a great price at 50 cents a roll, can't find that price any where in awhile. We use about 1 and 1/2 rolls a week. It would be less than that except that I pee a lot.
Judy
Melodi
Disaster Cat
While I agree that some people are simply hopeless and either really doesn't want to do what is needed or are just "humoring" you (especially family members) I also think a certain amount of well-founded fear isn't an unusual repose when people realize the potential size of the issue.
Up to a point, I try to meet people where they are at, the needs of a young woman with three kids who husband just ditched her (a real case, she's fine now) are very different from a returning military veteran (I've dealt with that too).
When you realize that the money you have to accept from the government of the day because you suddenly have no resources to feed your kids in the short term doesn't even really cover diapers and dried pasta, it can be pretty daunting to try to think of "what do I need a month of" much less 10 years worth.
But having a bit ahead, when possible, as I've pointed outputs most people ahead of their neighbors, over time as things improve if they get into the habit things become less scary and easier to manage.
Plus the surplus is there if there is another life crises and those tend to happen to every family eventually.
Up to a point, I try to meet people where they are at, the needs of a young woman with three kids who husband just ditched her (a real case, she's fine now) are very different from a returning military veteran (I've dealt with that too).
When you realize that the money you have to accept from the government of the day because you suddenly have no resources to feed your kids in the short term doesn't even really cover diapers and dried pasta, it can be pretty daunting to try to think of "what do I need a month of" much less 10 years worth.
But having a bit ahead, when possible, as I've pointed outputs most people ahead of their neighbors, over time as things improve if they get into the habit things become less scary and easier to manage.
Plus the surplus is there if there is another life crises and those tend to happen to every family eventually.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Oh, and by the way, one of the first things I got my friend with the kids to do (her husband ditched her for another woman by the way, she was totally in the dark) was the spices plus cans of tomato sauce.
Having different herbs and spices has others have suggested can make even Turkey Hotdogs or dried beans anything from Italian to Asian Indian or "almost" Mexican with a few shakes of the shaker.
In her case, if I recall correctly (and it has been some time since then) we went by a spice merchants shop and I got her some bulk herbs and spices to start out with (including powdered garlic and onions - she was still nursing the little one and was very tired out - that has to be taken into account as well in terms of where a person it at).
Having different herbs and spices has others have suggested can make even Turkey Hotdogs or dried beans anything from Italian to Asian Indian or "almost" Mexican with a few shakes of the shaker.
In her case, if I recall correctly (and it has been some time since then) we went by a spice merchants shop and I got her some bulk herbs and spices to start out with (including powdered garlic and onions - she was still nursing the little one and was very tired out - that has to be taken into account as well in terms of where a person it at).
Shooter
Veteran Member
around here, now is the time of year that I can get people to start prepping, we get some pretty big snow storms here, the fields are flat, and im not joking when I say a mile square bean field will be bare of snow. but the road has 8 to 10 ft drifts, in out of town on a dirt road, ive been stuck for a week, or more not being able to get out, and then every nite the roads blow back closed again,
So people understand having a week of food around, and some way to heat the house, sadly in the spring. most use up the supplies, and have to nudge them again next year,
those that will try and prep a little longer ,I just try to get them to buy a couple of cans of what they eat each week, every little bit will help.
here is the normal shopper when the weather forcasts snow,
So people understand having a week of food around, and some way to heat the house, sadly in the spring. most use up the supplies, and have to nudge them again next year,
those that will try and prep a little longer ,I just try to get them to buy a couple of cans of what they eat each week, every little bit will help.
here is the normal shopper when the weather forcasts snow,
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
You are unfamiliar with Psalms 91 ?
Jackpine Savage
Veteran Member
At this point in time my biggest challenge is remembering what I have, and where I put it.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
I like the one that says " you are already dead, so prep / fight to live "
Scotto
Set Apart
Best chainsaw you can buy, hands down.
Scotto
Set Apart
Having a "Bug out location" is great if you get a good advance notice of a coming SHTF event.
But an "advanced notice" is usually a fairy tale. An example of a SHTF "advance notice" is a hurricane heading your way that is still 3 days out to sea.
What if our grid went down? Think it will be advertised far enough ahead of time to give everyone the opportunity to bug out? Of course not.
A major even will mostly happen VERY quickly and when we least expect it, and chances are great that someone else will make it to your BOL and will be grateful for whatever you stocked it with.
Be realistic, and prep accordingly.
But an "advanced notice" is usually a fairy tale. An example of a SHTF "advance notice" is a hurricane heading your way that is still 3 days out to sea.
What if our grid went down? Think it will be advertised far enough ahead of time to give everyone the opportunity to bug out? Of course not.
A major even will mostly happen VERY quickly and when we least expect it, and chances are great that someone else will make it to your BOL and will be grateful for whatever you stocked it with.
Be realistic, and prep accordingly.
Taz
Deceased
"At this point in time my biggest challenge is remembering what I have, and where I put it."
Tell me! I have had a stroke and lost my husband and moved to new home across the State during 1919. I have a lot of preps, but due to stroke really haven't a clue what I have. It is all in a climate controlled shed and I just have not been able to go out there and take a look. I am fenced and have plenty of place of garden.
I do know that my major need is something for electricity. Been thinking of getting solar or generator and lots of fuel. a Really need to concentrate on this problem. Water not a problem.
Taz
Tell me! I have had a stroke and lost my husband and moved to new home across the State during 1919. I have a lot of preps, but due to stroke really haven't a clue what I have. It is all in a climate controlled shed and I just have not been able to go out there and take a look. I am fenced and have plenty of place of garden.
I do know that my major need is something for electricity. Been thinking of getting solar or generator and lots of fuel. a Really need to concentrate on this problem. Water not a problem.
Taz