Posted: 7/27/2012 10:03:33 PM EDT
|
My wife and I are far from "preppers" and some of the collections of supplies some of you guys probably have, but recently we started looking into getting some supplies together for a "just in case" scenario. We currently live in SE Arizona and the only SHTF situation I could think of that would happen here that's remotely possible would be an extended power outage or loss of water supply. Here's how we're currently set up:
- Extensive medical supplies (bandages, suture kits, IV bags/starter kits, tourniquets, quick clot, small field surgical kit, water purification tablets, gloves, masks, gauze, roll tape, c-collars, steri-strips, splints, antibiotics, meds, OTC pain killers, various OTC meds kept up to date, misc other small med items) - 125 gal of fresh water storage, soon to increase to 180 gal after I buy a 3rd 55 gal drum (all rotated with fresh water every 3 months along with a cap full of bleach) - 8 cases of MRE's (12 per case) plus canned goods and dry foods. - Many cases of bottled water. - Mr Heater Buddy & hose to run off of 25lbs propane tanks plus extra 1lbs tanks) - Sunscreen, insect repellent, chapstick, misc paper products (lots of TP and paper towels) - Extra soap, a bunch of Purell disinfectant, hygiene products (spare toothbrushes and toothpaste) - Extra laundry detergent. - Good bit of spare gasoline in cans - Guns & ammo plus reloading supplies - Prepped BOB's just in case, although to get anywhere with a reasonable summer climate and with plentiful water would be pushing the limits of the amount of gas I can take with should it ever get that bad. - GPS/Flashlights/batteries for all - Topo maps of the local area and along planned evac route if necessary to take that course of action. - Hand tools/shovels/axes I don't buy into most of the SHTF scenario type stuff but it's always good to have a plan go GTFO... That said most of my planning is for being stationary for as long as possible until absolutely necessary. Below is a list of a few needs: -Generator -More gasoline & cans to provide for the generator (or diesel if I go with a Lister diesel) -Chainsaw (Stihl or high end Husky) I'm in the .mil and renting everywhere I go precludes me from rainwater collection (not really a great option here anyways as it only rains a few months out of the year). This also limits some of the other things I "could" be doing. Any suggestions as to what I'm forgetting or leaving out? As it stands now I know I'm better prepared than most Americans, but I'd like any suggestions as to what I can add to the list. CMS |
Looks like you've got a solid foundation of supplies-good on you 
How are you set for comms? A portable AM/FM radio is a necessity, and the ability to receive NOAA weather alerts is awfully nice to have as well. Feminine hygiene products are good to have for your wife's sake, as is Monistat for yeast infections. Cold weather clothing, good footwear, blankets etc. Trash bags are multipurpose and good to have. How about fire protection/prevention-extinguishers, smoke/CO alarms etc. Are you and your wife up to speed on how to use a portable fire extinguisher, and the right way to put out a grease fire in the kitchen for example? Based on your medical gear, I assume you are both up to speed on IV starts, first aid etc? How about your important documents-SS cards, birth certs, marriage license, insurance paperwork etc? Do you have them stored in a safe place? Do you have copies of all important docs scanned and copied onto secure thumb drives in your bugout bags? If your home burned to the ground tomorrow, what paperwork would you need to start over? That's a good place to begin when figuring out what to back up. For what it's worth, the vast majority of us aren't hunkered down preparing for some world ending disaster. We are instead prepping for job loss, extended illness, severe weather, injury, fire, extended utility disruption, water boil orders etc. You won't find many of us fretting over rogue comets and brain eating zombies, except in jest. Even though you are loathe to use the term prepper (as are most of us), I can assure you thar based on your post that you are indeed...a prepper 
Good luck, and thank you for your service. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Quoted:
Looks like you've got a solid foundation of supplies-good on you
How are you set for comms? A portable AM/FM radio is a necessity, and the ability to receive NOAA weather alerts is awfully nice to have as well. Feminine hygiene products are good to have for your wife's sake, as is Monistat for yeast infections. Cold weather clothing, good footwear, blankets etc. Trash bags are multipurpose and good to have. How about fire protection/prevention-extinguishers, smoke/CO alarms etc. Are you and your wife up to speed on how to use a portable fire extinguisher, and the right way to put out a grease fire in the kitchen for example? I realize that I didn't include a lot of gear in my list. I do have a set of decent portable radios and hope to pick up an ICOM. I have a good bit of cold weather clothing...enough for my wife and myself. Lots of trash bags and tarps. I ran fire and EMS before I came into the Army for a good while and keep current on medical SOP's. Based on your medical gear, I assume you are both up to speed on IV starts, first aid etc? Wife not so much as me...but she knows basic first aid and CPR. How about your important documents-SS cards, birth certs, marriage license, insurance paperwork etc? Do you have them stored in a safe place? Do you have copies of all important docs scanned and copied onto secure thumb drives in your bugout bags? If your home burned to the ground tomorrow, what paperwork would you need to start over? That's a good place to begin when figuring out what to back up. I do have my documents stored in a good place but I do not have them on digits...which is a great idea and exactly why I asked these questions here. For what it's worth, the vast majority of us aren't hunkered down preparing for some world ending disaster. We are instead prepping for job loss, extended illness, severe weather, injury, fire, extended utility disruption, water boil orders etc. You won't find many of us fretting over rogue comets and brain eating zombies, except in jest. Even though you are loathe to use the term prepper (as are most of us), I can assure you thar based on your post that you are indeed...a prepper
I don't like the term because of the loons on the TV show and the association as to why they "prep". Good luck, and thank you for your service. Appreciate it! Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile _____________________________ Quoted:
cms81586 I see you have some mre's, is that the bulk of your stored food? If you have common food, too, do you have a camp stove of some sort to heat/cook? Plus, you are in the .mil, if you have to bug out, will you go to the base? Can you take your guns? I have canned goods and canned meat stored as well. Probably not as much as I'd like but enough between the MRE's and food for a comfortable 3 months of food, and with another 55GAL drum enough water for that period of time as well. I have some camp stoves and a Brunton all fuel stove. I do need to add a solar panel charger to the list so that's another one I forgot. If I do have to go to base I can take my guns...although I'd probably only take a few. In the capacity of serving I wouldn't have to worry about arms or ammo, although I have plenty of my own. CMS |
|
maybe a tarp and ties to hold down the tarp to attatch to a tent for fresh air in case u must leave. water purifier. in case you go beyond what you already have stored. extra gun parts and knowledge to fix the guns you own. deck of cards. books. i personaly have pvc pipe to burry in the ground to use for the male head. once im done using the pvc pipe thats would be burried into the ground it would be covered with an empty can of pasta or veggies to keep the flies out. also gave a lot of candles.
God bless. wc6- out |
|
Looks like you've got a good handle on things CMS
I was just busting your chops about the prepper thing-we all feel the same way about those loons. The vast majority of us here wouldn't make very good subjects for a compelling TV episode, because there is nothing sexy about stockpiling toilet paper, hand soap, or changing the batteries in our smoke detectors  Not only that, nobody here would be dumb enough to advertise our gear and capabilities to the whole world. Those lunatics might as well put neon signs on their roofs that say ROB ME!  Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Quoted:
Looks like you've got a good handle on things CMS
I was just busting your chops about the prepper thing-we all feel the same way about those loons. The vast majority of us here wouldn't make very good subjects for a compelling TV episode, because there is nothing sexy about stockpiling toilet paper, hand soap, or changing the batteries in our smoke detectors Not only that, nobody here would be dumb enough to advertise our gear and capabilities to the whole world. Those lunatics might as well put neon signs on their roofs that say ROB ME!
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile  I know I know... Any recommendations for ICOM radios and what models provide the most useful features?
CMS |
|
A handheld two-way portable Icom?
I stockpile Icom F30GTs (VHF) and F40GTs (UHF) for ham, MURS, GMRS, public safety, and weather freqs. If you don't have a ham license, you can still use an F30 to transmit (legally) on the VHF MURS channels-you just have to limit the output power via programming. You can also program them to receive NOAA weather channels, marine channels, unencrypted public safety etc. I'll post a pic of my emergency comm setup as soon as I get back in front of my PC. Perhaps a better choice than the Icom F30 is the Standard Horizon HX-370. The 370 is a waterproof, handheld marine VHF portable that is also type certified for land mobile use. It can be legally reprogrammed for ham and MURS use, unlike most other marine portables. ETA: Standard Horizon HX-370 Google Shopping Link To reprogram the 370 you'll need a cable and software, but those aren't hard to acquire. Here is my emergency comm setup: 
The portables on the left are Icom UHF F40GTs, but the F30GT is completely identical externally-aside from the antenna. The top radio in the enclosure is an Icom IC-7000, which is an "all mode" ham radio. The bottom radio is an Icom UHF IC-F2821D. It is programmed to talk to the portables on the left, as well as UHF ham freqs, and is fully backward compatible with GMRS "bubblepack" radios that you find at Wal-Mart, Best Buy etc. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| sounds like you've got a good start. The only thing I'll add is to maybe consider tearing open your MRE's and getting rid of the excess stuff. I "rat fucked" about 4 cases and threw out all the crap I didn't need like the milkshake mix, drink mix, most of the accessory packs but I did keep the matches and few odds and ends, and I threw out all the magnesium heaters (although those do have some uses). Managed to consolidate about 20 days worth of food for 4 people into two MRE cases, much easier to transport. |