I can't be that serious about these things. I do what I can and that makes me happy. I don't like to criticize others. We each should do what we think is good and right for ourselves. Oh and carolyn keiper....You make me laugh. You always cheer me up...THANKS! I am just trying to survive with life at the moment. It's working...... Thanks to all you Stewbies......
Anything for you, Barb. I can laugh at me, so, you can too. if we can find humor in ourselves we will have a never ending laugh.
One advice that I would give to everyone here, is to find some way of stocking medicines (specially antibiotics). I know that in USA and UK, you'll need a doctor's prescription to get anything. But here in Pakistan, everything is available over the counter from the local pharmacist, no questions asked. Also remember that natural disasters don't last for long - Like no Earthquake ever lasts for longer than 20 seconds. And a tsunami too just comes and goes. The problem, or should I say the real problem starts when survivors crawl out. As then we'll get to see a very ugly side of human nature... As only we are capable of doing the worst possible things to our own kind. So number 1: Stock up on something like Quick-Clot packs. These are patches which enable the blood to instantly clot. So when someone is bleeding from a gunshot wound, Quick-Clot will save our life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FbMpMdEqRs Varon is another medicine (sort of like an antibiotic) which fills up an open wound. So this too is ideal for knife and gunshot wounds (when it comes to after care)... So stock up on these, and when half their shelf life is done, simply donate them to a free clinic for the underprivileged, or a veterinary hospital. Both such places will gladly take them off your hands (as long as they have not passed their expiry dates). Which is why I am saying that when half of their shelf life is used up, you get new ones for yourself (and store them in the refrigerator as they'll last a lot longer at a lower temperature) - And donate the older batch to some clinic. Number 2: Buy a few small solar panels, of about 20 watt size (that you will be able to carry with yourself anywhere). So with these, you'll be able to charge your laptop, cellphones, and a few other useful devices. Even a dead battery of car can be fully charged in one day with a small solar panel like this! Number 3: Invest a little in some unorthodox weapons too, which otherwise will look like ordinary tools. But when in times of need, they will instantly function to save lives. The Chinese military shovel is one such fine example of great tool (which I too own). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b60OZhrTB6o Number 4: Get firearms and knife training, as well as some mixed martial arts. As this too will save yourself one day. So learn all about guns, and don't be afraid to use them in an instant if you are threatened. Number 5: Stock up as much clean drinking water as you can. Also invest in some portable water filtration system. See this video of the LifeStraw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXeS1Lk8HpY Number 6: A map of your area, a magnetic compass, and all other stuff like flashlights, laser pointers, fire starters - All should be near you too (aside from a fully loaded gun at all times, as well as a hunting knife). Number 7: You must have a seed bank of your own too, enabling you to grow your own vegetables (for long term endurance). Lastly, I just want to share 2 things with you all. First is to never plan too much, just be prepared, and expect the unexpected. Because in life hardly anything ever goes according to plan. So just hope and pray for the best, but expect the worst - Therefore anything that isn't the worst, you simply consider as a windfall... And secondly (and this really is from my own personal experience) - Is that when you are fully prepared, nothing will ever go wrong. But just overlook something even once, and this universe will turn around to bite you I swear!!! So it's just like whenever you take an umbrella with you outside when the sky is overcast, it never rains. But leave it a home thinking that it won't rain on you today, is when you'll get wet for sure... So if you are prepared - Nothing will happen to you. Not because you are ready for it, but rather because the universe will find some other easy target to torment instead of you. That anyway is how I feel the universe is run. So be prepared, be alert, but at the same time - Don't forget to have some regular fun and laughter in life too (as normalcy also is a wonderful commodity worth cherishing). Alright, so now back to our most favorite hobby in the world, gardening! The Chinese military shovel 1 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) The Chinese military shovel 2 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Food for at least 3 months. I'm on a well, and have a hand pump installed that will pressurize my system in just a few minutes. The means and ability to defend myself, my loved ones, and what I have. First Aid, and even a bit of serious wound treatment and care supplies and knowledge. A bit of surgery should it be needed (books are wonderful things to have). Just under six cords of firewood for this year. Elderly neighbors to look after too. I grew up hunting, fishing, butchering beef and hogs. I keep hand tools just in case there is no electricity for a while. Lamps, lamp oil. Liquor to use as a trade item. I'm not a prepper. These are just prudent precautions.
I have few skills other than building a fire, but Im sure I could be a Master Looter ;D (just kidding...kind of...) Actually what I would love is to learn archery. I already know a little, I just need a bow to practice. I could hunt and defend I also know how to pluck a bird and filet a fish. And skin a small animal. Id probably just hightail it to Meijer (grocery/general merch store) and live there lol
To learn about archery (which will be extremely useful), as well as how to build your own bows, arrows, and other useful stuff - There is only one channel on YouTube which is considered to be the best! Backyard Bowyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAzv-wi6BR0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edl9owA3Cng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZadHLbuKLw And here is another extremely useful video about meat storage, and trade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuB-J9VhuWU And as for having a solar power source - Well, usually all my services come at a price. But for all members of our GardenStew, my consultation is now available for free. I will also design a custom solar power system that will suit your needs (again for free). All you'll be doing is just pay for the materials (from a source of your own choice) - I think it's the least that I can for this wonderful online community of ours.
Have had several incidents where we have been without power, etc for a couple of weeks because of winter storms. Sorry that others feel the need to have to protect themselves. Each time it has happened here people have pulled together in neighborhoods and looked out after each other. It has always been more like a party combination commiseration together (short on water/lack of bathing is a bummer). Grew up being self-sufficent, have the means to look after ourselves and the desire to help out who ever else needs help. Don't own guns. Raised and have only experienced that good people take care of each other. Live in an earthquake zone with winter storms so will probably experience some natural disaster again sometime in the future. It is just another unexpected holiday.
Jewell, I never needed to protect myself, either. My thought in asking this question was at first.. like in the Philippines, being able to get through the initial catastrophe, but they slog through this situation there is obviously an element of " survival of the fittest" with all of the looting that is now going on, but still I want to be self sufficient to a degree and not be a "victim" to the situation. I know I will gladly take anyone elses help and work along side of them if need be. We all could be a better team than a better individual in a catastrophic situation.
Carolyn, Maybe it is just more of a western US thing, but people here in times of disaster always seem to come together and help each other out. Traditionally we just have always done it otherwise the "West" never would have been settled. The looting if it happens at all in recent disasters is in the core of big municipal/population areas, and is generally by just the few and quickly put down. I have always figured there were enough guns out there, that I didn't need to add to the numbers. I came from a family that hunted and fished and got my first gun on my 8th birthday. I didn't know anything except venison and game birds for meat until I was in junior high school. With that said I have some fond memories. The rural communities I grew up in people needed each other to make life an interesting and fun place in poor times. I still fondly remember no one having much but holiday gatherings where people got together to share what little that had. I loved the "talent" shows, potlucks, and picnics. People survived a whole lot better sometimes with a whole lot less when there is community. Growing up hearing stories of the Great Depression makes us look like a bunch of whiners, with messed up priorities. Why in the heck you are going to spend that much energy/time in prepping and not spend even more time in making your community better so you don't need to prep. It starts with each of us. Maybe I have just spent too much of my life volunteering in my community. Maybe I have become archaic in my thinking. Always figured that if things got as bad as the preppers think it would be, it wouldn't be a world I would want to be in anymore anyway. Sorry for the rant, but it kind of hit a sore point with me and is just my humble opinion.
By the way, do put a big glass syringe in your medical kits also, along with 20 gage thick 4 inch long stainless steel hypodermic needles. I say glass syringe, as plastic ones don't last long. They are excellent in the sense that they are disposable (and so the risk of transmitting any sickness by reusing is nil) - But in a prepper's kid, reusing takes priority... Anyway these really are an excellent thing to have, as when you get shot in the torso - Even if the bullet misses all vital organs, air seeping into the chest cavity will eventually collapse the lungs. So this is where this glass syringe and thick long needles will come in handy, (to suck the pocket of air out). These of course can also be used to inject Epinephrine (adrenaline) straight into the heart - Should someone needs to be revived... Glass syringe 1 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Glass syringe 2 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Now, that S-H is just not happening here. no needles what so ever are going to be needed for me. just saying...I will be the one passed out and not responding ..I got nauseated just looking at the syringe.
Interesting... Perhaps this glass syringe and long needles will work better as an interrogation tool! But jokes aside, what else can one do - If we do get shot at by looters who are out to steal whatever we have stocked? Fortunately here in Karachi, we do now have access to body armor (see links below). But not everybody can afford to have this... http://www.bodyarmour.com.pk/bulletproof-coat http://www.lyra.com.pk/body_armour.html http://www.lyra.com.pk/fashion-body-armour.html We now can also have bulletproof cars too, and many in my city have gotten these - Because like it or not, the world is slowly heading towards a very ugly end... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKvnb7ACMn8 Si vis pacem, para bellum. Translation: "If you want peace, prepare for war".
Well, looting isn't on my list of worries, actually. just being able to have enough knowledge to survive. food, water, shelter, heat, tools and modicum of intelligence to get through it. I don't think we live close enough to a large metropolitanish area to be over run by them.
Carolyn I am with you No needles and I am not prepping for zombies to attack. Luckily I live in a zombie free area of the world. Maybe not true everywhere.
