SHTF and you have to get home...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - SHTF and you have to get home... (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:05:22 PM EDT

I live in North Alabama. If there was some kind of SHTF situation and I had to get home from work, I would have to cross the Tennessee River. My work is approximately 30 miles from home. Let's assume that driving is impossible or more dangerous than going on foot. How would you recommend crossing the river? Taking the bridges are out in regards to this question. I know in the summertime I could swim/float across. The wintertime I have no clue. What are ya'lls suggestions?

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:06:44 PM EDT

[#1]

cashe a inflatable?

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:07:24 PM EDT

[#2]

Unless you want to leave everything behind.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:08:13 PM EDT

[#3]

Well the only thing I could think of is keep a pair of waders in your car. I don’t know how deep the river is but it beats trying to hide a boat.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:09:51 PM EDT

[#4]

get you a small inflatable raft and keep it in your vehicle.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:12:01 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Well the only thing I could think of is keep a pair of waders in your car. I don’t know how deep the river is but it beats trying to hide a boat.

It's the Tennessee River. About 50+ft deep.

Quoted:
get you a small inflatable raft and keep it in your vehicle.

You talking about something like this? Sevylor Boat

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:12:12 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
cashe a inflatable?

this or are there any homes or businesses on the river? do they have boats? can you make friends with one of them? can you get a ride across? maybe you can pay someone for a ride across. I would set this up in advance. either that or get a job on the side of the river you need to be on.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:14:25 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
cashe a inflatable?

this or are there any homes or businesses on the river? do they have boats? can you make friends with one of them? can you get a ride across? maybe you can pay someone for a ride across. I would set this up in advance. either that or get a job on the side of the river you need to be on.

good to have many routes.....

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:16:16 PM EDT

[#8]

Canoe or kayak, if you can store it at work or find a marina who will let you keep it there for a few bucks.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:16:27 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
cashe a inflatable?

this or are there any homes or businesses on the river? do they have boats? can you make friends with one of them? can you get a ride across? maybe you can pay someone for a ride across. I would set this up in advance. either that or get a job on the side of the river you need to be on.

Unfortunately, TVA does not allow residential building on the river. There are a couple of marinas that I suppose if I had to, I might could buy my way across. I am just thinking out loud here.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:18:45 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:
cashe a inflatable?

this or are there any homes or businesses on the river? do they have boats? can you make friends with one of them? can you get a ride across? maybe you can pay someone for a ride across. I would set this up in advance. either that or get a job on the side of the river you need to be on.

Unfortunately, TVA does not allow residential building on the river. There are a couple of marinas that I suppose if I had to, I might could buy my way across. I am just thinking out loud here.

OK then i would take the old roosters advice and carry a raft.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:18:47 PM EDT

[#11]

Just out of curiosity...why assume that all the bridges are gone? The chances of every bridge over the river being out for miles is kind of slim.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:29:00 PM EDT

[#12]

stay at work or crash at a friend's house onthe work side.

have a reliable friend or family member take care of whatever needs doing on the other side.

far better solution like trying to take an innertube or something across in winter.

trying to find someone at a marina to shuttle you across would be good, but you'd be hoofing it again.

depending on the weather and your fitness, 30 miles is probably two days travel. if you're a great marathoner, it may only be a little over two hurs under ideal conditions.

a decent, used mountain bike could cut the travel down to two or three hours, excpt for crossing, but you should be able to take a bicycle, even in a canoee or rowboat.

depending on how desperate you are, there's always the option of stealing a boat for the crossing. not recommended, just possible.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:31:17 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Just out of curiosity...why assume that all the bridges are gone? The chances of every bridge over the river being out for miles is kind of slim.

Where I would cross is maybe 10 river miles from the Guntersville Dam. If the dam got hit in a terror attack or failed for whatever reason, the entire contents of Lake Guntersville would come rushing down river.
Here is a quick Google maps of the area. If you look at the Google maps that I linked here, that is the only bridge within easy walking distance. If it got taken out from a huge rush of water or whatever, it is a LONG walk to the next one upriver. There just aren't many crossings. This is a big river with lots of barge traffic on it.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:31:46 PM EDT

[#14]

I would think that if the bridges are out.....somebody will be setting up a shuttle service for profit......

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:32:41 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
stay at work or crash at a friend's house onthe work side.

have a reliable friend or family member take care of whatever needs doing on the other side.

far better solution like trying to take an innertube or something across in winter.

trying to find someone at a marina to shuttle you across would be good, but you'd be hoofing it again.

depending on the weather and your fitness, 30 miles is probably two days travel. if you're a great marathoner, it may only be a little over two hurs under ideal conditions.

a decent, used mountain bike could cut the travel down to two or three hours, excpt for crossing, but you should be able to take a bicycle, even in a canoee or rowboat.

depending on how desperate you are, there's always the option of stealing a boat for the crossing. not recommended, just possible.

Agree 100%. Just if something were to happen, my first priority is to get home as safe as possible. Just trying to wargame possible solutions.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:34:48 PM EDT

[#16]

Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. You need them all.

example: (YMMV)

Plan A: Keep maps with you at all times showing the crossings within a full tank of gas to get you home.
Use alternate routes, based on and dependent on the emergency you may be faced with.

Plan B: Marinas, ferries, and/or buying your way across by boat.

Plan C: carrying, stashing, borrowing a canoe, kayak or boat to get across yourself.
If using Plan B or C, and you do successfully navigate across the water, how much farther to home?
You are now on foot. Good luck. Food, Water, compass, maps, proper clothing and footwear, have them.

Layer your plans. Be able to adapt and be flexible.
if you are confident your family will be safe for the next 24 hours, part of your plans may include wait until the next day for the smoke to clear. Depends on the type of SHTF.

If using Plan A, drive parallel to the river looking for the next best available crossing, always topping of the fuel tank as you proceed, wherever it's reasonable and prudent to do so.

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:45:10 PM EDT

[#17]

http://www.gibbstech.com/aquada.php

Posted: 12/13/2010 4:47:55 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
I live in North Alabama. If there was some kind of SHTF situation and I had to get home from work, I would have to cross the Tennessee River. My work is approximately 30 miles from home. Let's assume that driving is impossible or more dangerous than going on foot. How would you recommend crossing the river? Taking the bridges are out in regards to this question. I know in the summertime I could swim/float across. The wintertime I have no clue. What are ya'lls suggestions?

I'd have to cross the Mississippi River

Posted: 12/13/2010 5:02:22 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I live in North Alabama. If there was some kind of SHTF situation and I had to get home from work, I would have to cross the Tennessee River. My work is approximately 30 miles from home. Let's assume that driving is impossible or more dangerous than going on foot. How would you recommend crossing the river? Taking the bridges are out in regards to this question. I know in the summertime I could swim/float across. The wintertime I have no clue. What are ya'lls suggestions?

I'd have to cross the Mississippi River

So you feel my pain. Twice as wide as the Tennessee.

Posted: 12/13/2010 5:10:53 PM EDT

[#20]

Posted: 12/14/2010 2:55:53 AM EDT

[#21]

Random ideas

Maybe a wet suit for scuba. The rescue people suit up a couple times a year to search for somebody that capsized while fishing in the winter. Last year one of the rescue guys was asked if the water was cold and he said 'hell yes!'. So the protection might be minimal. This may be something you will want to train for. Swimming, scuba, and rescue. Then keep your rescue gear in your car. Volunteer at your local firehouse. They are usually a good group of guys that are looking for some help.

Reconnoiter the river in pretty weather for a place to cross. Spend a couple weekends camping and finding a place to cross if/when the time comes. Make friends with somebody on the river to give you a boat ride. If your family needs you, just jumping into a cold river could be a bad idea. If the SHTF today, offer your vehicle as trade to get a boat ride across. For trade, carry cash, silver, gold, gun/ammo or a nice wrist watch. Sailors and pirates used to keep a supply of gold for emergencies; so could you. If you are working, you have the resources to be creative and find creative ways to cross a river. If you never have to cross the river, you still have the cash or gold as a source of wealth. So, it costs nothing to prepare.

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:55:57 AM EDT

[#22]

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:00:06 AM EDT

[#23]

I like the above idea better than mine.

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:25:56 AM EDT

[#24]

Just out of curiosity...why assume that all the bridges are gone? The chances of every bridge over the river being out for miles is kind of slim.

Three Words- New Madrid Faultline-

* February 7, 1812, 0945 UTC (4:45 a.m.); (M ~7.4 - 8.6

) epicenter near New Madrid, Missouri. New Madrid was destroyed. At St. Louis, Missouri, many houses were severely damaged, and their chimneys were toppled. This shock was definitively attributed to the Reelfoot Fault by Johnston and Schweig. It was uplift along this reverse fault segment, in this event, that created waterfalls on the Mississippi River[/span], disrupted the Mississippi River at Kentucky Bend, created a wave that propagated upstream and caused the formation of Reelfoot Lake.

The earthquakes were felt as far away as New York City and Boston, Massachusetts, where ground motion caused church bells to ring.

Hundreds of aftershocks followed over a period of several years. Aftershocks strong enough to be felt occurred until the year 1817.

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:30:15 AM EDT

[#25]

I agree with rustee. Have an inflatable in the car just in case. This post made me think I may have to do the same thing to cross the broad river here in SC to get home from work.

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:53:28 AM EDT

[#26]

page 2

Posted: 12/14/2010 5:09:49 AM EDT

[#27]

Buy a 14 buck walmart raft and a fold up paddle, go to the river or some where with similar flow inflate it make sure it holds you and gear and holds air ok and that you can move it with your paddle . This is going to be a one time use device so it doesnt need to be high quality .
Dont forget duct tape and trash bags in your ghb so if you do have something hit it and damage it you at lest might can repair it , you also can put you ghb in a bag so if you do take a spill hopfully it will have some buoyancy .
I carried a kayak on my work van for a year when I was working an area that was covered in feeder rivers and streams to the lake chain I live close to , the kayak would have quadrupled my get home time if something would have happened . Now Im working an area that rivers are more of an obstacle then a benefit so the kayak no longer rides . I now have 3 river crossing , one of which I could just walk across the other I may cross depending on time of year on foot the other one Im going to need to build a raft or explore other options but Im not across that one much .

Posted: 12/14/2010 5:14:44 AM EDT

[#28]

+1 what Hawk308 said

or

use the paraplane that HUMONGO suggested as a daily driver - er - daily flier - er daily freezer in the winter.

Posted: 12/14/2010 7:37:21 AM EDT

[#29]

get TURBO BOOST installed

Posted: 12/14/2010 7:49:19 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
I agree with rustee. Have an inflatable in the car just in case. This post made me think I may have to do the same thing to cross the broad river here in SC to get home from work.

Seems to me that would be the most economically feasible and give you the most options in an emergency.

Posted: 12/14/2010 8:46:29 AM EDT

[#31]

I'm going to suggest a different and more radical idea.

Move.

Move so you are on the same side of the river as your work. If the river is that big a deal and you're really concerned then moving would be the best option.

Realistically you're not going to carry a canoe or inflatable boat every day with you. The only way the bridges would be 'out' would be a very bad storm/earthquake.
I'd also point if you're concerned about the New Madrid fault having another fit then going into the river with such a light craft would not be a wise choice - neither would using such a craft in a major flood or storm. Swimming across (via birthday suit or SCUBA suit) is an even worse idea.

What kind of scenario do you envision that would cause the bridges to be unavailable, yet the waters calm enough for you to cross via small craft or swimming? And once cross get into dry clothing to walk the rest of the way?

Posted: 12/14/2010 11:40:02 AM EDT

[#32]

you could stash like 1000 ft of rope on your work side so you could make a deal to use a boat to cross and the owner could pull it back and be out nothing. Or stash a canoe on the work side somewhere.

Posted: 12/14/2010 12:58:50 PM EDT

[#33]

I wouldn't count on a marina. During the winter most boats will be in storage/winterized. Also, if the marina is downstream of the damn and it lets go, well it'll be gone.

I'm thinking the cheap inflatable raft sounds like a good idea. I'd bring some rope as well, in case the water gets turbulent you could at least be tied off and self recover.

Barges can also significantly damage a bridge to the point where the engineers will close it down, doesn't have to be a SHTF event.

Posted: 12/14/2010 2:23:28 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
http://www.gibbstech.com/aquada.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fBPr77eHxs

Not to derail this thread, but if you get one of these, I'll come visit and bring beer.

Posted: 12/14/2010 2:37:11 PM EDT

[#35]

This is a problem my brother and I discuss randomly. We live on opposite sides of the Ohio River. He actually works about 2 miles from my house and probably 20 miles from his house, the river being 15 miles away. If the SHTF to the point you need to walk that I have absolutely ZERO faith in the ability to get across the mulitple bridges that span the river.

Do I think they'll stop standing? No.

Do I think TPTB will "confiscate" them? Possibly

Do I think the masses will cause a cluster all doing like he's trying to do? YES.

If your "get home" plans involve a limited number of ways across a large body of water I would probably start to look into plans that involve NOT crossing it.

Just my 2 cents.

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:09:20 PM EDT

[#36]

Inflatable kayak - $167 .... maybe cache it rather than carry it.....

http://www.amazon.com/Sevylor-2000003415-Fastback-Inflatable-Kayak/dp/B003652F3G

if your budget is bigger, how about a PTS-10
http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=55430&cat=1

what's your price range.

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:16:12 PM EDT

[#37]

Find a railroad bridge. Swimming is out, it's like running 5 times the same distance. No need for unecceary risks, save your energy.

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:34:49 PM EDT

[#38]

I like the inflatable kayak idea best of all.

Hey OP: How wide across is the section you think you would have to travel? How far after you get across, would it take you to reach home? Here are a few random ideas and musings I'm thinking...

Cache a folding boat, canoe, or kayak on the work side, maybe in a really old but serviceable van, parked somewhere securely. A $500 beater car with a $200 beater canoe parked behind a buddie's garage, or in a storage unit would be just the ticket. Drive the car to the water. Put the vessel in the water. Get your ass across to the other side!

Cache an old van or car on the home-side of the river and use it to get all the way home.

I didnt see it mentioned above, but it may be prudent to recognize that you may have to leave your commuter car on the work-side of the river.

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:36:30 PM EDT

[#39]

Of course it also may be time to consider having two wimmins in your life, one on each side of the river. No matter what happens, you're all set!

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:41:00 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
Of course it also may be time to consider having two wimmins in your life, one on each side of the river. No matter what happens, you're all set!

This could be either the cheapest OR the most expensive option.

Still think moving is the best idea and the cheapest in the long run (seriously people - caching a $200 inflatable boat AND a keeping another vehicle on the other side ?

)

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:41:49 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I like the inflatable kayak idea best of all.

Hey OP: How wide across is the section you think you would have to travel? How far after you get across, would it take you to reach home? Here are a few random ideas and musings I'm thinking...

Cache a folding boat, canoe, or kayak on the work side, maybe in a really old but serviceable van, parked somewhere securely. A $500 beater car with a $200 beater canoe parked behind a buddie's garage, or in a storage unit would be just the ticket. Drive the car to the water. Put the vessel in the water. Get your ass across to the other side!

Cache an old van or car on the home-side of the river and use it to get all the way home.

I didnt see it mentioned above, but it may be prudent to recognize that you may have to leave your commuter car on the work-side of the river.

Get the PTS-10.....load your main vehicle in back for the crossing. You know you want one. $15k if you're a frugal shopper...

Posted: 12/14/2010 3:57:28 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
I like the inflatable kayak idea best of all.

Hey OP: How wide across is the section you think you would have to travel? How far after you get across, would it take you to reach home? Here are a few random ideas and musings I'm thinking...

Cache a folding boat, canoe, or kayak on the work side, maybe in a really old but serviceable van, parked somewhere securely. A $500 beater car with a $200 beater canoe parked behind a buddie's garage, or in a storage unit would be just the ticket. Drive the car to the water. Put the vessel in the water. Get your ass across to the other side!

Cache an old van or car on the home-side of the river and use it to get all the way home.

I didnt see it mentioned above, but it may be prudent to recognize that you may have to leave your commuter car on the work-side of the river.

It is easily a 1/4 mile across. Nearest railroad bridge would put me way downstream 10-15 miles then the trip home would be much further. Just within 20 sq miles there are only 3 bridge crossings.

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:29:27 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I like the inflatable kayak idea best of all.

Hey OP: How wide across is the section you think you would have to travel? How far after you get across, would it take you to reach home? Here are a few random ideas and musings I'm thinking...

Cache a folding boat, canoe, or kayak on the work side, maybe in a really old but serviceable van, parked somewhere securely. A $500 beater car with a $200 beater canoe parked behind a buddie's garage, or in a storage unit would be just the ticket. Drive the car to the water. Put the vessel in the water. Get your ass across to the other side!

Cache an old van or car on the home-side of the river and use it to get all the way home.

I didnt see it mentioned above, but it may be prudent to recognize that you may have to leave your commuter car on the work-side of the river.

It is easily a 1/4 mile across. Nearest railroad bridge would put me way downstream 10-15 miles then the trip home would be much further. Just within 20 sq miles there are only 3 bridge crossings.

You concerned about the dam busting right? Do you think the river will be as low as it is now after the dam has burst?
1)You might want to get a flood plain map and recheck that 1/4 mile estimate.

2)If the bridges are out and everybody is on foot do you think you will be able to make a bee-line for home with nodetours

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:30:53 PM EDT

[#44]

I think the inflatable has more possible uses as well. use it as part of a shelter, to hold water etc. Im sure having one around, one could find many uses for a small inflatable boat.

Posted: 12/14/2010 4:53:43 PM EDT

[#45]

Add a couple coins to the BOB to pay the ferryman.

Posted: 12/14/2010 5:39:11 PM EDT

[#46]

If the dam breaks or flooding is an issue, the river will be full of floating debris. An blow up boat would meet a terrible death. I have seen lots of things floating down the TN river, sometimes we have to move the camper out if it gets too high. A old john boat would be my choice.

Posted: 12/14/2010 5:51:55 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
If the dam breaks or flooding is an issue, the river will be full of floating debris. An blow up boat would meet a terrible death. I have seen lots of things floating down the TN river, sometimes we have to move the camper out if it gets too high. A old john boat would be my choice.

Maybe consider planning to cross above the dam site rather than below it if the dam fails.

If the concern is bridges being blocked/destroyed rather than the dam, an inflatable would be the easiest option to cache.

Posted: 12/14/2010 6:56:14 PM EDT

[#48]

a friend of mine had a collapsible kayak with a rigid frame. seemed like it might be a better performer than an inflatable, but it's probably more expensive.

Posted: 12/14/2010 6:57:11 PM EDT

[#49]

Quoted:
I live in North Alabama. If there was some kind of SHTF situation and I had to get home from work, I would have to cross the Tennessee River. My work is approximately 30 miles from home. Let's assume that driving is impossible or more dangerous than going on foot. How would you recommend crossing the river? Taking the bridges are out in regards to this question. I know in the summertime I could swim/float across. The wintertime I have no clue. What are ya'lls suggestions?

please don't kid yourself into thinking you're going to swim that river, bear gryllis style.

Posted: 12/14/2010 6:57:50 PM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:
Add a couple coins to the BOB to pay the ferryman.

i wonder if Charon takes credit cards?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - SHTF and you have to get home... (Page 1 of 2)

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