PREP 20 Items You Will Need In Case of a Societal Collapse
- Thread starter BigFootsCousin
- Start date
BigFootsCousin
Molon Labe!
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
If 2020 taught us anything then it's toilet paper!
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I recall a old test where you were allowed only a knife and a cup to survive for three days.
After three days they went looking for you and you got to tell how you made out, the experts said you can go for years with just the knife and a cup. There are other skills needed to pull it off.
After three days they went looking for you and you got to tell how you made out, the experts said you can go for years with just the knife and a cup. There are other skills needed to pull it off.
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Marthanoir
TB Fanatic
Marthanoir
TB Fanatic
I'd feel a lot more comfortable surviving with just a sturdy axe than I would just sturdy clothing.
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I get the OP but at the same time. Not so much.
First know the order of things and remember we are talking about social collapse.
First order of things is: 1) shelter, without which you can die in hours 2) water without which you can die in days 3) food without which you can die in a month or so.
1) To build a shelter (if you don't have a home, or BOL and you're in survival mode) you will need a big knife, Bowie, or hatchet. You could break limbs but honestly breaking big green limbs for the "foundation" while it can be done is a real chore. And you're going to need several blades for different tasks.
2) water: not only purification but also collection, canteen, mostly. 2 each would be great.
3) food: know your woods. Snares can be used but DEPENDING ON SNARS in between will be some growling tummies. Guns, traps, and knowledge of foods in the woods and when to harvest.
Each of the 3 will need fire. Know how to build without matches, lighters, but having them makes it a lot easier. No. 1 for heat, No. 2 for purification, No. 3 to cook.
One of the things you WILL NOT NEED is a solar source of power for your phone, or radio. Who in a societal collapse are you going to call? Planning on staying in touch with people on TB2K? Look up how to start a fire? Taking a selfie with your camp fire? Throw that thing in the nearest creek. A crank radio doesn't need solar. Other than getting a news feed, communication will probably be face to face, and in the moment have a meet up place, like with your fire escape plan.
Having a flashlight is a luxury. You'll end up being a dawn to dusk person, and they survived thousands of years without them. BTW using a flashlight can make you a target. And put out your night eyes for a while. Oooo look someone using a flashlight, lets go see. I know a fire can do the same so being careful is no. 1.
And No. 4 on the list is self defense. Knives, baton's, guns.
Whatever you need to support the 4 above is all you need. Primitive? Yes. but that is what a societal collapse does, or causes. It's not business as usual.
BTW knowing first aid, is probably more vital than having a first aid kit. Trunkit, tore up shirt, pressure, things like that.
First know the order of things and remember we are talking about social collapse.
First order of things is: 1) shelter, without which you can die in hours 2) water without which you can die in days 3) food without which you can die in a month or so.
1) To build a shelter (if you don't have a home, or BOL and you're in survival mode) you will need a big knife, Bowie, or hatchet. You could break limbs but honestly breaking big green limbs for the "foundation" while it can be done is a real chore. And you're going to need several blades for different tasks.
2) water: not only purification but also collection, canteen, mostly. 2 each would be great.
3) food: know your woods. Snares can be used but DEPENDING ON SNARS in between will be some growling tummies. Guns, traps, and knowledge of foods in the woods and when to harvest.
Each of the 3 will need fire. Know how to build without matches, lighters, but having them makes it a lot easier. No. 1 for heat, No. 2 for purification, No. 3 to cook.
One of the things you WILL NOT NEED is a solar source of power for your phone, or radio. Who in a societal collapse are you going to call? Planning on staying in touch with people on TB2K? Look up how to start a fire? Taking a selfie with your camp fire? Throw that thing in the nearest creek. A crank radio doesn't need solar. Other than getting a news feed, communication will probably be face to face, and in the moment have a meet up place, like with your fire escape plan.
Having a flashlight is a luxury. You'll end up being a dawn to dusk person, and they survived thousands of years without them. BTW using a flashlight can make you a target. And put out your night eyes for a while. Oooo look someone using a flashlight, lets go see. I know a fire can do the same so being careful is no. 1.
And No. 4 on the list is self defense. Knives, baton's, guns.
Whatever you need to support the 4 above is all you need. Primitive? Yes. but that is what a societal collapse does, or causes. It's not business as usual.
BTW knowing first aid, is probably more vital than having a first aid kit. Trunkit, tore up shirt, pressure, things like that.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
In my early twenties, I took a survival course for a few days during the summer in the UP of Michigan. An ax is better than most knives in that environment!
For the last test, I think I had a tin cup, a coffee can with a wire handle, a hatchet, a pocket knife, a lighter, a camping spoon and fork (fit together and folded), plus a few tea bags and instant soup packets. I might've had some twine or wire, too. I don't really remember. Everything had to fit into the coffee can, although the hatchet could stick up.
We weren't worried about water purification. That came several years later.
We were supposed to construct a shelter, build a fire, signal for help . . . there was probably other stuff.
I was with another gal who had done a lot of camping. I think we did okay, but I remember thinking that there was no way I'd want to attempt any of that during a Michigan winter! And the following fall, I added to the winter gear that I usually carried in my car: I took the cold/rain a lot more seriously after that.
I wouldn't want to attempt that test now! I suppose that I remember enough to keep myself alive, but this is why
I stay out of the back country, and I sure wouldn't evacuate there under most circumstances.
Marthanoir
TB Fanatic
One of the reasons I like Khukri's or Parangs for survival / bushcraft.
Different areas of the blades are ground to different angles for different purposes.
From fine cutting to heavy chopping.
Plus the small skinning knife with the khukri is useful for small game where using the khukri or parang itself would be awkward to use but doable.
I've used an old nail , a bit of broken glass and a rabbits own leg to skin small game, a knife is easier.
Also done axe only survival weekends where its just the clothes on your back and an axe, great fun and great practice but I'd much rather have my full survival kit.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Totally agree about staying out of the back country especially in the dead of winter!
Geez, this sounds like one of those lists a kid would make for a YA zombie survival story. It isn't until they run into the crabby ol' codger with a shotgun and bowie knife that they actually stand a chance at surviving.
Marthanoir
TB Fanatic
Ractivist
Pride comes before the fall.....Pride month ended.
As been driven home here, mindset, skillset, toolset. Ranks in front of three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food.......God guns n grub, guys n gals..the new five G network.
Wolfcreek Farm
Wolfcreek
J/B Weld is an item that I do not want to be without......Get the big tubes....a case if you can afford it....doesn't seem to do bad if you have it sitting on a shelf.
Ractivist
Pride comes before the fall.....Pride month ended.
I thought it was 18, off to the store to buy one now....heck I'll buy two and be king.
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
While in first world countries it's not a big deal any more, but in the old days Dysentery (bloody diarrhea, and severe dehydration) was a big deal. Partly due to drinking bad water. A big deal during the Civil War.
If we go into a societal collapse it could become one again. Due to lack of antibiotics/meds. The city water system going down with all it's filters. Especially if thy are pulling the water from rivers or septic pools. So water purification is a good preventative to sickness and disease. And is important.
The other side of this is also important, practice good dumping grounds. (slit trench)
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I understand the guy had complications but "Into the Wild" learned that lesson in about 6 weeks.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
He was a full on narcissist, if the movie is to be believed, I didn't read the book but I think OC may have read it. He wouldn't listen to anyone, including the guy who took him to the edge of the wilderness and commented that a his bag of rice wouldn't last long at all, and the kid argued back that the survival books said it'd be enough... just not enough to survive a harsh winter in Alaska, in a school bus.
I'm too old for that crap... me likes my well insulated home, running water, electricity, and reliable heat source and a lot!
BigFootsCousin
Molon Labe!
Wow, talk about population control! Who'd drink so-called water from a septic pool?? Grr-oss!
BFC
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Cary, there was a time when unfiltered water in the back country of the UP of Michigan was considered "safe," and I've had arguments about that over the years: you never know what's happening upstream. We boiled our water. Others didn't, but I don't remember if anyone got sick.
SOP for me now is always treat the water. At the very least, you don't need to be sick on top of trying to survive.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
And, if I recall correctly, he was on the spectrum, as well.
So many preppers seem to prep to retain the status quo. True prepping is about survival. Survival depends completely on circumstances. Skills are probably more important than things.
I'm old so I'm not willing or able to bug out and my home is as prepped as an old lady can make it. Still, my survival will depend on circumstances i.e. weather, war, nuclear, health, timeframe, community plus a multitude of additional unknowable circumstances. Murphy's law being what it is, the one thing not prepped for is the most likely to bite us in the behind.
I'm old so I'm not willing or able to bug out and my home is as prepped as an old lady can make it. Still, my survival will depend on circumstances i.e. weather, war, nuclear, health, timeframe, community plus a multitude of additional unknowable circumstances. Murphy's law being what it is, the one thing not prepped for is the most likely to bite us in the behind.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Could have been, his parents seemed to think that they could fix every problem by throwing money at the issue.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
At this point in my life I feel the same as you, haven't consulted OC yet but I'm pretty sure he's thinking that bugging in is the way to go, unless war forces us to flee and then who knows.
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Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
One consideration when I moved here: it's a long way from both coasts, as well as the southern border. The northern border is the closest, and even that isn't an easy hike.
Pebbles
Veteran Member
Naw.....that's not a purse, like my husband, you have a possibles bag or a war bag.me too
and I,m a dude
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
As far as "bugging out", why? If you live in an apartment or a rental house or your own house, why would you 'bug out'? Yes if the house or apartment burned down but then why go to the woods? In almost any scenario staying put would very likely be way more comfortable than huddling under a tarp. Or at least using your car for a shelter.
"It would be too dangerous in a city". It would be just as dangerous roughing it in the woods. A woods full of similar desperate people.
Right now today there are thousands of unoccupied houses in the USA. In a collapse if I had no place to stay I would find one of those houses.
"It would be too dangerous in a city". It would be just as dangerous roughing it in the woods. A woods full of similar desperate people.
Right now today there are thousands of unoccupied houses in the USA. In a collapse if I had no place to stay I would find one of those houses.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Yep. And if it's summer, look for one with a basement.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
And this is why, when one does some research, a good many of the houses in Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas started out as basement units!
And how many other homeless will be seeking the same solution?
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Depends if those houses are in LA county or way off in a very rural area.
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
And in the summers they are cool. Might have problems in high humidity areas.
My basement is finished and huge. Won't go below 60°, won't go above 70, without help. I've tested both. Humidity will be a problem if we get nothing but rain.
All honesty, sleeping out on the deck during the high temp/humid months would be best. Setting watch will be necessary but in that kind of "humanity down" situation you would have one anyway. You HAVE to sleep. No one ever prepares for that vital function
West
Senior
I'll take the 3am to noon watch.
The Boy Scouts they has a subgroup called the "Order of the Arrow" and the tap out ceremony was impressive and only done at local Boy Scout group camp outs (many troops) and done at dusk just as it was getting dark and they had a huge bonfire that was lit by flaming arrows this was a huge deal to see who was going to get picked its not just kids but adults could be tapped out, had a leader going around tap someone and the brave's came running over the grab them and drag them over to where they would stand with who ever else was on the list for order of the arrow. Later you would be expected to do this test where you are only allowed to have a knife and a cup to survive and clothes on your back for three days.
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CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
If you're drinking city water (from a tap) and don't know where you're water is coming from.............you may be drinking septic pool water.
For years and years since the 1970's our "city" water has come from a well. But over the last 10 years or so, they had a lot of trouble keeping it from filling with sand. So their solution was to tie into a major water pipe about 10 miles up the road that fed Tupelo, and was taken from the Tombigbee River. You could call the Tombigbee "the little muddy", and be right.
For reference the Big Muddy is in Ill.
They run the river water through a huge water treatment plant up on the hill overlooking the river. And like I said if the Shumer event happens who will man and do all the all to keep it running? And then will our local water system revert back to a well? Who will do all the all to keep it running?
So getting your own water and purifying it will be your own responsibility.
And the standard "gallon of water a day" per person measurement is for survival purposes only. Not taking a bath, washing dishes, washing dog poo off of your shoes, watering the garden, grass, etc....
And BTW the city on the other side of the river. Does have a well+. SB's dad worked for the cities water dept. and wouldn't drink the city water due to the +. Walmart sells a lot of bottled water over there.
You might consider checking out your city water system.
I remember that ceremony from my BS days.