Situational Preparedness.

2308 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by hombre243, Dec 14, 2014

greyhawk50

Discussion Starter · Nov 10, 2014 (Edited)

Does anyone besides me have preparations for natural or man made disaster?? Yes? No? Kinda? What are your thoughts.
I'm not a Prepper but I believe in being prepared. My mindset is more in line with a survivalist. I feel that my greatest asset is my mind.
Living in a small town, I am surrounded by several widows and elderly couples. My daughter & son-in-law live with my wife & I. There is always enough food in the house to get us by for a couple weeks or so. A couple years ago, the Lord put it on my heart to better prepare for my family and neighbors if an emergency happened. I don't think that I could sit down to a meal knowing that my elderly neighbors were hungry.
Every situation is different so we can only plan for some and figure out the rest if/when it happens.
I built an outdoor pantry that sits in my carport, shaded from the summer sun. The inside dimensions are 4'X6' and 7 1/2' high. It is insulated top, bottom & sides and has an electric heater set at 45 degrees. It is stocked with enough water, dry goods and canned goods to supply the entire neighborhood for at least 30 days. It also has all of my hunting and camping supplies as well as a good supply of LP Gas (1# & 20# bottles). Worst case, I could move the perishables to the basement and move myself into my travel trailer. It is self contained and all it needs is bottled water and LP Gas.
I have a 6KW (220 volt) generator and a 1KW (115 volt) generator. I keep about 10 gallon of gasoline on hand at all times. This past summer, we had a wind storm that took the electric down for about 10 hours. I had wired the workshop (220 volt) so I could turn off the Main Breaker and back-feed the entire house with the 6KW generator. My furnace is natural gas so all I need for heat is 115 volts for the Control Unit & the Blower.
I have located a couple fresh water sources within a half mile or so from our house.
I don't sit in fear of an TEOTWAWKI but am realistic enough to know that things happen and reasonable preparations are good.
Are there like-minded folks on here or am I a little crazy.
What are your thoughts.

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

FOUR4D4

· #2 · Nov 10, 2014

I used to camp so everything that I would need is in the garage and shed,Except food which the government considers you a preper if you have more than a 7 day supplies;

hombre243

· #3 · Nov 10, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
Does anyone besides me have preparations for natural or man made disaster?? Yes? No? Kinda? What are your thoughts.
I'm not a Prepper but I believe in being prepared. My mindset is more in line with a survivalist. I feel that my greatest asset is my mind.
Living in a small town, I am surrounded by several widows and elderly couples. My daughter & son-in-law live with my wife & I. There is always enough food in the house to get us by for a couple weeks or so. A couple years ago, the Lord put it on my heart to better prepare for my family and neighbors if an emergency happened. I don't think that I could sit down to a meal knowing that my elderly neighbors were hungry.
Every situation is different so we can only plan for some and figure out the rest if/when it happens.
I built an outdoor pantry that sits in my carport, shaded from the summer sun. The inside dimensions are 4'X6' and 7 1/2' high. It is insulated top, bottom & sides and has an electric heater set at 45 degrees. It is stocked with enough water, dry goods and canned goods to supply the entire neighborhood for at least 30 days. It also has all of my hunting and camping supplies as well as a good supply of LP Gas (1# & 20# bottles). Worst case, I could move the perishables to the basement and move myself into my travel trailer. It is self contained and all it needs is bottled water and LP Gas.
I have a 6KW (220 volt) generator and a 1KW (115 volt) generator. I keep about 10 gallon of gasoline on hand at all times. This past summer, we had a wind storm that took the electric down for about 10 hours. I had wired the workshop (220 volt) so I could turn off the Main Breaker and back-feed the entire house with the 6KW generator. My furnace is natural gas so all I need for heat is 115 volts for the Control Unit & the Blower.
I have located a couple fresh water sources within a half mile or so from our house.
I don't sit in fear of an TEOTWAWKI but am realistic enough to know that things happen and reasonable preparations are good.
Are there like-minded folks on here or am I a little crazy.
What are your thoughts.

I have just about everything except a food and water supply. I have little extra money to spend on what ifs and barely enough for the necessities. Looks like I will just have to wing it.

greyhawk50

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 10, 2014 (Edited)

hombre243 said:
I have just about everything except a food and water supply. I have little extra money to spend on what ifs and barely enough for the necessities. Looks like I will just have to wing it.

I understand and have been there myself.
Limited preparations aren't all that difficult.
I like to drink Diet Green Tea sometimes. I save the jug, rinse it out and refill it with tap water. Then I add 6 drops of chlorine bleach per gallon. Any sturdy gallon jug will work. They add up quickly. Don't use milk jugs. Can't get them clean no matter how many time you rinse them out.
We shop at a discount grocery store. If we add 2-3 items a week to our cart, they add up. A box of minute rice, Ramon Soup, Instant Oatmeal are not expensive. Canned soup or pork & beans last for years if you keep them from freezing or getting over 85 degrees. It's taken us over 2 years to build up our supply. The main key is to start small and add to it as you can.
Just food for thought.

28Shooter

· #5 · Nov 10, 2014

I think it's good that you're planning ahead Grey. Planning for the neighbors is very generous (you take your faith and mission seriously!) We've really only just started preparing. Living a mile from the Baltimore City line in a densely populated suburban neighborhood, my biggest concern is for what those that have done nothing to prepare will do in the event of an extended emergency. I think of the nightmare that was Katrina.

Nogoat

· #6 · Nov 10, 2014

Greyhawk, you sound pretty considerate of your community, don't see that much too often now days. Good for you.

Sent from my iPhone using Marlin Forum

oldbrass

· #7 · Nov 11, 2014

Lots of ammo and firewood,live close to a river so can boil water for cookin & such...lots of dried beans....don`t laugh but also a good bycicle

28Shooter

· #8 · Nov 11, 2014

Never thought about a bicycle but that makes a lot of sense Oldbrass.

hombre243

· #9 · Nov 11, 2014

I just couldn't help myself...

For when the SHTF...or elsewhere:

http://www.depend.com/

greyhawk50

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 11, 2014

You're a sick man, hombre. Just the way we like you.

You add color to our forum.
SHTF = Some Have To Frolic??

hombre243

· #11 · Nov 11, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
You're a sick man, hombre. Just the way we like you.
You add color to our forum.
SHTF = Some Have To Frolic??

JEEEZ! I thought it said SH_Tuational Preparedness...my bad.

greyhawk50

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 11, 2014

oldbrass said:
Lots of ammo and firewood,live close to a river so can boil water for cookin & such...lots of dried beans....don`t laugh but also a good bycicle

Nothing wrong with a bicycle. I have those as well.

A couple of old sayings; "Trust God and pass the ammo" or my favorite, "Trust God but tie your mule to the hitch'n post".

First and foremost, my trust is in the Lord that He will provide - up to and including taking me home if it is His will.
Nobody knows what the future has in store but, for those who can, nothing wrong with making reasonable preparations.

If anyone is interested, we can discuss prep ideas for short term emergencies. I have little interest in the End of the World theories. I'm not smart enough to sort out all the "what ifs" in that case. I'm too old and tired anyway.

straightshooter

· #13 · Nov 11, 2014

A town was getting flooded and most were evacuating but one man held out.
The streets were flooding and the local fire dept. sent a rescue truck out to pick up the man. The man refused saying the Lord would keep him safe.
The water kept rising and now the bottom floor of his house was flooded so a rescue boat came for the man and he refused again saying the Lord would keep him safe.
The water kept rising and now the roof was all that was still exposed of the house. A rescue helicopter came to rescue the man but again he refused saying the Lord would keep his safe.
The man perished in the flood waters and when he got to heaven he asked the Lord why he let him die.
The Lord said I sent a rescue truck, boat, and helicopter to save your life and you refused. What more could I have done that you also wouldn't have refused.
Moral of the story is the Lord will take care of you but you have to accept his help.
The Lord helps those that also help themselves.

SWO1

· #14 · Nov 12, 2014

I have my own well, the pump runs on 120V. I have 2 generators. Keep XX gallons of gas as well as the tractor and when the vehicles get to 1/4 tank fill them up. The septic system is a lagoon. We can food and have a 8X10 pantry well stocked, it lasts for years. My ponds have fish and water in a pinch. Between me and my brother-in-law just down the road XX head of cattle. We abide by the Hunting regulations but that all goes out if we or anyone else is going hungry. My wife and her sister both dont eat any meat besides fish, they would probably have to make a few changes. I know the location of a couple of springs that run all year if the well goes out. My brother-in-law has 3 wells also ponds and springs.

I dont dwell on What-if situations, besides they are endless. I trust that my upbringing and daily/weekly/monthly lifestyle will surfice.

For self/family protection all the grand kids, daughter, wife are good shots. Supplies for that event are good.

I dont consider us preppers, thats just the way we live.

See less See more

greyhawk50

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 14, 2014

4

I know that this thread didn't generate a lot of comments.
I ordered, (for my Christmas Present) the following CRKT Hatchet. There are many uses for a good hatchet.
Anyone have any experience with this manufacturer??
I'll add that to my small collection of knives.

See less See more

straightshooter

· #16 · Dec 14, 2014 (Edited)

Read the safety info on the hatchet. If the head comes loose it can pinch the heck out of your hand or take a chunk out of your arm.
On another prep thought I had bought quite a few cases of spam. I never really liked the stuff as kid so I opened a can and tried it. My dog finally ate the last can of spam I had. He absolutely loves the stuff. He would bark so loud for it his front paws would come off the ground. OOPS! maybe should have saved some for prep for him.

nelson55

· #17 · Dec 14, 2014

We have some food that will last us about a month. The water is something else though, been looking at a windmill, will cost about $5K, I already have the tank. Been looking at going solar too. Already getting the parts to a solar hot water tank. I'd like to be off the grid by2017. That's a little more complicated though.
I have 75 laying hens and way too many roosters. They will be going into the freezer soon, I will keep a couple though for breeding.
I have a 1/8 acre garden that I work at in my spare time. Will be getting it ready for spring, no winter garden this year, giving it a rest and me too.
No roots under my feet, The Boss keeps me jumping. I have to build a stanchion for the goats that she got this summer, just 3 of them, 2 girls and a Billy.
Pantry? The Boss wants a root cellar. I'll have to call our boys for that, maybe a cookout or shovel party.

hombre243

· #18 · Dec 14, 2014

straightshooter said:
Read the safety info on the hatchet. If the head comes loose it can pinch the heck out of your hand or take a chunk out of your arm.
On another prep thought I had bought quite a few cases of spam. I never really liked the stuff as kid so I opened a can and tried it. My dog finally ate the last can of spam I had. He absolutely loves the stuff. He would bark so loud for it his front paws would come off the ground. OOPS! maybe should have saved some for prep for him.

Slippage should be easy enough to fix: a couple wraps of duct tape on the handle should keep the head from sliding down and pinching the hand.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.