WELCOME TO OUR FRIDAY EDITION FOR JULY 17TH, 2020

THIS IS OUR SPECIAL PREPPING AND TRUTH EDITION

You have begun to think seriously about prepping on some level or another. Maybe like some in my area you were left without power for several days after the last storm. Maybe the last series of floods or tornadoes hit close to you and you got hit with some secondary affects. Or maybe you are a little concerned about all the talk over North Korea and nuclear war.

So you go on line and find a ton of prepper and survival sites. You quickly dismiss the “got my cammies and big, bad rifle” types as you are not out to start a revolution or fight a war. Quickly, however you find that the sites are telling you that your survival depends on spending lots of money by buying this, that or the other from their sponsors. And that their survival plans all call for you to have a lot of land, money and time.

You are welcome to believe all that. I’m not here to say I’m right and they are wrong. I only know what many years and experiences have taught me. I will put some of the ideas out here now on three levels. First is basic, which is for those who have never prepped at all. Second, for those who have prepped some, but wonder if they should do more. And lastly we’ll look at extreme prepping for those who want to consider the worst case scenarios.

BASICS :  REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE: PREPPING DOES NOT TAKE A LOT OF TIME , MONEY, EFFORT OR SPACE.

      PREPPING IS USING YOUR HEAD NOW TO SAVE YOUR ASS LATER.

That’s as simple of a definition as I can come up with.  There seems to be as many reasons to prep as there are preppers. And while they vary due to personal beliefs or situation, and there is no magical survival formula, they do have some common points. 

             First, you have to survival the initial effects of whatever the incident, be it man made, (nuke strike, invasion, terrorism, chemical spill) or natural (earthquake, tornado)

No matter how well you prep there is always the risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. An EMP incident might drop a 777 out of the sky right down on your otherwise safe haven. (Due to the negative spin put on the words “retreat” or “compound“, I prefer to use “safe haven“.)

           Second, if you survive, the odds are your normal grid will not. It may be down only hours, or it may never return in the form you knew it. For my purposes, “the grid” refers to everything from police keeping law and order to grocery stores. 

            Let’s take the first point, initial survival. The general rule here is, ”Don’t be where the event happens’. In other words move away from as many other potential danger zones. This is one of the hardest decisions one can make in regards to their personal survival plan, made even harder by this economy.  Do you leave a danger zone and move to a safer area, and give up a good paying job?  Several years ago I was working in a major US city and living in the suburbs. I knew our odds of surviving most situations there was somewhat slim. Then an option came open for me to have this place and land here at the foot of the mountain. We took the risk and came here. I didn’t find anything in my field, or any steady work, or anywhere near the pay I was making. But it has been worth it for us. In turn we are in a spot with no earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, or tornadoes, and reasonably away from major urban areas and in an area where gun ownership and hunting is still respected.

 

             Understand however, there are few totally perfect areas for your safe haven.  You have to weigh all the factors if you can even consider relocating.  Some threats, like tornadoes, have a large danger zone. Also, an incident, such as an EMP strike, would have its effect everywhere. But I think I would have better chance of surviving it if I was driving on the street of my little town than having my car zapped on the LA Freeway.

             But if you have to live and work in a danger zone, do not give up. There are ways you can prepare. Better to go down trying than to just give up. Many have survived disasters. It starts with you having the will to survive.  There is NO 100% guarantee that by prepping you will survive, but there is very good odds that if you DON’T you WON’T.

            So onto the second point, you survived but the grid didn’t. This is the core of preparation, to be able to take care of your own WATER, FOOD, SHELTER, FIRST AID/HYGIENE, ALTERNATE POWER, MONEY, AND SECURITY. (We call these THE “SEVEN SISTERS” ) This series will help you design your system based on your budget and storage. I started with empty 2 liter bottles I filled with water, a can or two of food here and there, dollar store first aid kits, and the knowledge I had from my military training added to by a number of very good solid books.

             No, there is NO magic formula, just good common sense, some solid information, and most of all THE WILL TO SURVIVE.

 IF YOU ARE THE AVERAGE "ANN OR ANDY"

            You go to some kind of job, make some level of money (probably never enough LOL!) from which you pay for the means to live. (That is your water, food, shelter, etc.)

These “means” come to you by various providers (utility companies, grocery stores, etc.) who in turn are the end points on a long chain of those who grow, gather, or otherwise create what you need. This is assisted by a banking system to keep things running, medical systems to take care of health, and protection for it all from police and fire departments.

            In short, this is your “grid”. While some wish to willingly live “off the grid”, and I say more power to them, most folks, including us here, don’t. I like my a/c, heat, running water, etc. But while I don’t want to live “off the grid” I DO want to live when the grid goes off.

            That is what I see as the main goal of prepping, to be able to maintain some kind of average, normal life if all or some of the normal grid is gone for some period of time.

            While what knocks you off the grid is important, I feel TOO much emphasis has been placed on the more “doomsday” events and such things as “zombies”, or political beliefs and not enough on the more common and likely probabilities. After all , a tornado, hurricane or flood doesn’t care if you are a redneck, wear a white collar or in a blue state.

            Let’s start with a look around your world using what we call the “seven sisters of survival”.   These are water, food, shelter, medical, power, money and security.

To start off, you need water. How do you get it normally? In most cases, the average person gets their water from some water company through the faucet. This can be affected by water main breaks, or some kind of contamination. Currently the entire area of Flint, Mich. has a contaminated water supply. This has also happened in a number of places caused by chemical spills or runoff into reservoirs. So what do you do if they announce you can’t drink the water for an unknown time?

Now let’s talk food. This is more complex because you not only need the food itself, but the means to keep it fresh and to cook it. That also means you have to be able to get to a store that has food and use money or cards to purchase what you need. Ever see a store stripped because of an oncoming storm?  How much food do you have right now? How much is non-perishable? How do you cook it?  Are you “married to the microwave”?

Shelter can vary with each person, from an apartment in a complex in a major city to a house on land in the country. If your shelter is damaged, can you make it livable for the moment by use of tarps, ropes and other means?   Do you have temporary shelter you can set up, or another place to go? All it takes is a chemical spill, gas leak or major fire to cause you to leave your home. Are you ready to dash or dig in to stay?

Medical covers a host of areas, including basic sanitation. What do you do if you can’t use the toilet; wash your dishes, or clothes? What medications you need? What if you are injured by the event? Do you have a first aid kit? Do you know how to use it? Don’t count on EMT’s as there may be no way to reach them or them to get to you and they may be dealing with more serious cases. Can you handle your medical needs right now?

Power generally covers electricity but may in some cases include gas of some form. This is your light and refrigeration and probably your heating and a/c along with how you cook food. It is one of the most important and at the same time the most vulnerable. No, you don’t need some terrorist act to take the electrical grid down; simply a bad storm of some kind can do it. In some cases a car hitting a pole can knock out power for hours. Can you stay warm in winter, or protect your food in the freezer in summer if the power goes out?  Will you able to cook or even eat without it? Do you even have one working flashlight you can find?

Money makes the system work. It is a means of exchange. Today, however, most stores need card systems up and running to be able to sell you anything if you have no cash on hand, even if they have their registers operating off some emergency generator. Also small stores and shops may operate more on a cash basis. Many of us have little cash on hand however. What about you? What’s in your home, piggy bank, or pocket?

Security refers somewhat to the police, but also to your personal situation. Where do you live and work? Is it a good or bad area? How far are you from bad areas? How are your passive   (locks, doors, windows) security measures? What are you moral feelings about defending your home and family when the police can’t be called or may be too overwhelmed to help you? What could you do, or use to protect yourself? (This includes blocking doors with furniture, or having pepper spray)

So now, what will you do and how are you affected if you lose your power for an hour, your water for a day, your entire grid for a week?

While there are NO “one size fits all” answers, there are basic guidelines we will go over as we explore as many of the aspects we can. We will look at these subjects from the standpoint of the Average Ann and Andy, plain folks who don’t have a lot of money, land or time, people who go to work each day and may have to face events away from home.

It can seem overwhelming and it isn’t simple, but it’s nothing the average person can’t deal with. If you want to put an ace up your sleeve in case of an emergency, if you want to try to have a fighting chance if things go wrong, we will try to help you all we can with what we have learned and what others have shared with us.

It’s great to have the higher quality in gear and supplies, but most of us just can’t afford that. But the regular items from the stores can do as well at less cost.

 

IN SHORT: For pennies you can cover

 

  WATER: For two people for 30 days for drinking only is 10 cases of .5L ( small bottles) of water  @ $4 or so a case.  3 cases= $12 will get you generally through a week. If you have any prior warning ( tornado, flood etc.) plug your tub and sink with a flat rubber stopper         ( dollar store) and seal with candle wax.

 

               FOOD:  Regular, store bought non-perishable food you normally like and eat. Remember : EAT WHAT YOU STOCK, STOCK WHAT YOU EAT. Don’t let your supply get below what point you choose, be it two days or two weeks. This can be items you don’t have to cook like small canned meats, tuna, veggies, beans, breakfast bars. Add paper plates, holders, cups, plastic utensils and trash bags.

            SHELTER: Be prepare to “bug out” even if on foot, if your location is bad, or gets bad due to some situation. Check out yard sales for packs, tents and other gear. Sleeping bags should be bought new, if only the most economical ones. If you can, however, “hunker down” at home. Familiar surroundings add to comfort in an emergency situation.

            FIRST AID/ HYGIENE: Dollar store special time. You can slowly stock multiple first aid kits from dollar store items and add hand sanitizer, trash bags, and wipes. (Learn first aid if you can, if not understand at least the basics.)

            ALTERNATE POWER: Yes, get at least one high quality flashlight, but also pick up a number of 9 LED flashlights. Some come in packs with a headlamp and batteries for $12 or so. Glow sticks can be gotten at 4 for $1. Emergency candles are good, but decorative candles will work find. Just be careful with any flame items. Don’t forget the “grill” lighters  and the  AA/AAA batteries at the dollar store.  The batteries will last a day or so at least and are better than nothing. Various Sterno or other cooking stoves are available. (See our pic section for a Sterno stove set.)

            MONEY:   NO NOT THIS KIND OF MONEY!!!    the kind us plain folks can afford  to set aside. Put aside what you can for buying supplies and gear as you see them on sale and also as a cash reserve in an emergency. “A dollar down and a dollar a week” was an old song years ago, but it applies here. LOL!

            SECURITY: Your call on this. Do you want to go passive with locks and barriers or go active with pepper spray or firearms? Remember, a used 12 gauge pump shotgun will deter many a bad guy as much as some $1000 plus tricked out rifle.

Once you have established your storage space or spaces, prepping becomes a simple matter of picking up and item or two and adding to what you have. In the case of food items, you rotate the oldest forward.

ADVANCED:   TIME TO DARE   

            You took your time and carefully squeezed out your prepping supplies and gear from your budget. You put together your plans based on the knowledge of your local threats and conditions but with an eye towards the possible major “Level III” disasters that might occur such as solar flares, etc.

            You checked off each of the ”Seven Sisters of Survival”, that is water, food, shelter, first aid/hygiene , power, money, and security,  as you met the basic requirements to cover them in for at least a two week period, if not more. You have set up plans and gear to get back home or to your safe haven if you are away at work, shopping or whatever, or to hunker down in place if necessary. You know there is no perfect plan or situation, but you feel that you have given yourself and your family at least a fighting chance in most probable emergency events.

            So now what? What’s the next step? Do you stop here?

            The choice is yours. If you are comfortable with the level of supplies and gear, and the plans, knowledge and information you have, then just keep up with what you have, rotate your food and water stocks and feel good about what you have done.

            But, you can reach a higher level of coverage with just a little more effort. The next goal would generally be covering everything in your personal “grid” for four weeks or more. You have already done the “heavy lifting” as far as setting up the basics. It’s time to DARE!

            DARE is an easy way to remember what your next steps are.

D         Develop new options for all the basic areas. As time, space, budget and effort allows, see if there is an easier, more economical, and even fun way to add to your prepping. You might want to get a basic food dehydrator and make Jerky, or dry fruits and veggies.

A         Acquire new information, skills, or items as the situation allows, possibly “upgrading” as you go. You could add a lantern  or a battery powered “strip light” to add to where you just had a good flashlight, or some racks for your pantry to hold cans.

R         Rotate, restock and research.  Rotate your stocks by “eating what you store, store what you eat”. Yes it is good to have some special “survival” type foods in “deep reserve” but many times due to their cost, a beginning prepper won’t have much of it. Most of us have to “Two can” our way by adding what we can each trip to the store until we build up our reserves. Once you have built up your basic level, eat from it and replace it to keep it fresh while you try to add to it. Have a limit, so you don’t allow it to fall too low. Do research into information that can add to your knowledge (weather patterns, etc.) and help you do things easier and at less cost. Look for sales and bargains on food and gear. Check out yard sales for usable items and books.

E          Enhance all the areas where you can. Slowly build up water and food stocks to four weeks. Add more first aid items a little at a time. Check and add to any “Bounce back” or “Go Bags” Stock up on more paper towels and toilet paper. Maybe add a small generator or solar panel. Keep putting aside a few dollars and change. Improve locks, doors and barrier plans. If you so decide add to and practice with bows, firearms, etc.

            We will help by showing you different options that may be of value to you. Remember that THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL when it comes to prepping, only good general guidelines.

            Are you ready to DARE?

 

 

AFTERMATH: THE UNTHINKABLE

            A FIGHTING CHANCE: I’m going to be as honest as I can be here. Unless you have hundreds of thousands of dollars to put into, the odds of you surviving a LEVEL III all out nuclear exchange or pandemic are very, very slim. So why bother to prep?  By prepping you can make the difference between having near zero chance to having at least a fighting one. Only you can decide if your situation is worth putting the extra time, money, effort and maybe space into.

            The big difference in LEVEL III events is that you are not prepping to hang in there until the “normal” comes back because the normal isn’t coming back. You are prepping to be there to help rebuild that which was normal.

            Many of us must live and work in major urban areas and because of that our odds drop if there is a nuclear exchange, pandemic or EMP/solar flare. This does NOT mean to give up. You may be able to have a “bug out” plan with vehicle and gear ready to get to a safer location. You may be able to hunker down and get through the worst of it all until you can emerge and help rebuild.

            But two things you MUST get out of your mind if you are going to give this type of prepping a shot.

            First: Forget about 99% of any post apocalypse version from movies, TV shows and books. There are a few exceptions. “The Day After” and “Threads “ , were both well done and may be close to what the reality might be.  An older movie, with a terrible title “Panic in Year Zero” is worth a look as is the old novel “Alas Babylon”.  

            Second, as in all other forms of prepping, there is no MAGIC kit, gear, or supplies that you can buy, never look at or know how to use that is going to save you. This is not to say various items and gear are not worth the cost, or that they aren’t valuable. Just be wary of any sales pitch that tells you that his item, etc. will save you from doomsday.

We have in previous editions and will in editions to come, continue to get down to the nuts and bolts of each level of prepping. You are welcome to join us here.

We make you one promise. We are NOT out to sell anything and we look for every dollar saving way for the Average Ann and Andy to make it through any emergency event that comes their way.

            If you like what you read here, help us reach others. We ask you please to share what we offer to others you think will benefit from it.

Thank You, Poor Richard and Mama Donna