Miscellaneous thoughts...
On this page I've just put some ideas and thoughts that really don't belong anywhere else. As always...YMMV.
CPR and First Aid
For the love of Jesus and everything Holy...LEARN CPR and at least BASIC FIRST AID!!1! Even if it's not during a Zombie Apocalypse, you may save a loved one's life.
If it's outside the realm of your budget, talk to your employer to see if you can organize a class that they will sponsor. Or talk to your church. Most organizations (business or otherwise) will sponsor CPR classes picking up most if not all of the cost.
Call your local hospitals and colleges to see if they have first aid training. Again, go to your employer and ask if they would be willing to sponsor a class. Worst case scenario join your local volunteer Rescue Squad and go through their training classes.
I would rather a member of my ZPAW Posse know CPR and have some first aid skills rather than a rifle. Yes, I'm dead serious in that statement.
If it's outside the realm of your budget, talk to your employer to see if you can organize a class that they will sponsor. Or talk to your church. Most organizations (business or otherwise) will sponsor CPR classes picking up most if not all of the cost.
Call your local hospitals and colleges to see if they have first aid training. Again, go to your employer and ask if they would be willing to sponsor a class. Worst case scenario join your local volunteer Rescue Squad and go through their training classes.
I would rather a member of my ZPAW Posse know CPR and have some first aid skills rather than a rifle. Yes, I'm dead serious in that statement.
Man's Best Friend
Whether a pooch is your burglar alarm or your first line of defense...I know if the SHTF I want mine with me. Badass has no "off switch."
When you're stocking the pantry don't forget Spot. Keep extra food on hand and any special meds if your dog needs them.
If the SHTF, you're probably gonna need to keep Spot indoors. And remember dogs are like kids, they get bored fairly easy. Keep a few extra rawhides and some toys for them.
Pictured is my kid walking our attack Akita.
When you're stocking the pantry don't forget Spot. Keep extra food on hand and any special meds if your dog needs them.
If the SHTF, you're probably gonna need to keep Spot indoors. And remember dogs are like kids, they get bored fairly easy. Keep a few extra rawhides and some toys for them.
Pictured is my kid walking our attack Akita.
Using bleach as a water purifier
Use regular bleach, not scented.
Follow the chart at the left.
Mix well and let stand for at least 30 minutes.
Don't pour purified water into contaminated containers. Sanitize water jugs first.
Bleach must be fresh for best use and results.
Follow the chart at the left.
Mix well and let stand for at least 30 minutes.
Don't pour purified water into contaminated containers. Sanitize water jugs first.
Bleach must be fresh for best use and results.
A posse
No man is an island.
Whether it's your family and friends or your neighbors and community, teach them basic skills and knowledge. You'll need them if the SHTF. Again, this is a subject entire books could be written on. At worst, get out and get to know your neighbors. Establish lines of communication and build trust. If you really feel sparky, start a Neighborhood Watch program. Most sheriff departments have free programs for that and will gladly help your neighborhood start one.
What's the worst thing that could accomplish? The start of your own SHTF posse? <gasp>
Whether it's your family and friends or your neighbors and community, teach them basic skills and knowledge. You'll need them if the SHTF. Again, this is a subject entire books could be written on. At worst, get out and get to know your neighbors. Establish lines of communication and build trust. If you really feel sparky, start a Neighborhood Watch program. Most sheriff departments have free programs for that and will gladly help your neighborhood start one.
What's the worst thing that could accomplish? The start of your own SHTF posse? <gasp>
BOL (Bug Out Location)
It's not a bad idea if you have the means.
Personally I would want one within driving distance on one tank of fuel in my vehicle, but not one "just across town." My thoughts are you don't want to spend days driving there or even have to stop to refuel if it's avoidable. On the flip-side of the coin, I wouldn't want one too close either. If the SHTF at your house, chances are it hit the fan at your aunt's house across town.
My personal thoughts are something in the 200-400 mile range, and closer to 400 miles.
Personally I would want one within driving distance on one tank of fuel in my vehicle, but not one "just across town." My thoughts are you don't want to spend days driving there or even have to stop to refuel if it's avoidable. On the flip-side of the coin, I wouldn't want one too close either. If the SHTF at your house, chances are it hit the fan at your aunt's house across town.
My personal thoughts are something in the 200-400 mile range, and closer to 400 miles.
BOV (Bug Out Vehicle)
We all can't run out and buy a vehicle just to set up as a SHTF BOV. But, we can use a little common sense to keep our everyday vehicles ready for an emergency.
Keep your vehicle's maintenance up. Don't let weak batteries or frayed belts go until they die or break. Don't let your fuel tank get below half full. And keep $40 cash money hidden in it. Remember that if the SHTF, pay-at-the-pump machines and credit card machines will probably be down.
Keep your vehicle's maintenance up. Don't let weak batteries or frayed belts go until they die or break. Don't let your fuel tank get below half full. And keep $40 cash money hidden in it. Remember that if the SHTF, pay-at-the-pump machines and credit card machines will probably be down.
Pistol Caliber Carbines
Makes sense if you're on a tight budget for firearms. A carbine with a matching caliber handgun means you only need to stock one ammo.
A pistol caliber carbine doesn't replace a "battle rifle" but it can serve you well within it's range as a rifle.
Remember: rifle>handgun
A Hi-Point model 995 can be had for $200. Pick up a $300 9mm Bersa handgun and you've got a pair of guns I wouldn't feel naked with.
Shown are a Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine and a Cougar pistol both in .40S&W.
A little known fact is the Cx4 model that uses the Px4 magazines will also use Cougar model magazines.
A pistol caliber carbine doesn't replace a "battle rifle" but it can serve you well within it's range as a rifle.
Remember: rifle>handgun
A Hi-Point model 995 can be had for $200. Pick up a $300 9mm Bersa handgun and you've got a pair of guns I wouldn't feel naked with.
Shown are a Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine and a Cougar pistol both in .40S&W.
A little known fact is the Cx4 model that uses the Px4 magazines will also use Cougar model magazines.
'Really on a budget' firearm choice?
If I could only choose one firearm what would it be? Easy. A 12 gauge pump shotgun.
There isn't much you can't do with one by simply changing your shells to match the task. Use buckshot and you have a solid home defense weapon. Use the same buckshot to put venison on the table, or load it with birdshot for birds, rabbits or squirrels. For $200 you can find a reliable new Maverick 88 (on top in picture.) Add a $75 Mossberg 18" barrel to it...and you can do most anything needed.
There isn't much you can't do with one by simply changing your shells to match the task. Use buckshot and you have a solid home defense weapon. Use the same buckshot to put venison on the table, or load it with birdshot for birds, rabbits or squirrels. For $200 you can find a reliable new Maverick 88 (on top in picture.) Add a $75 Mossberg 18" barrel to it...and you can do most anything needed.
Stocking the Pantry
To each his own.
I only have a few thoughts I'd like to share.
Buy shit you like now. If you don't like it now, what makes you think you'll like it when life sucks?
I wouldn't buy foods that you are going to rely on electricity to cook. Think about it. Me? I'll keep on stocking my canned goods. Any source of heat...and it's good to go.
Buy all you can afford. Rotate it out in your everyday meals to keep it fresh. Most people say to have a 30-90 food supply on hand. Closer to 90 days if possible.
There's the school of thought to buy dried beans, rice, flour. And if that's the route you decide is best for you, make sure you have the skills to prepare those foods without the use of electricity.
I only have a few thoughts I'd like to share.
Buy shit you like now. If you don't like it now, what makes you think you'll like it when life sucks?
I wouldn't buy foods that you are going to rely on electricity to cook. Think about it. Me? I'll keep on stocking my canned goods. Any source of heat...and it's good to go.
Buy all you can afford. Rotate it out in your everyday meals to keep it fresh. Most people say to have a 30-90 food supply on hand. Closer to 90 days if possible.
There's the school of thought to buy dried beans, rice, flour. And if that's the route you decide is best for you, make sure you have the skills to prepare those foods without the use of electricity.
Transistor radios
This is the Sony I picked up off Amazon for $10 (with free shipping if you buy $25 worth of shit.) Actually, I picked up three. One for each bag and one for the house.
Having a transistor radio isn't a bad idea. And yes, there are better radios on the market. To each his own if you have the cash to buy a better radio or want to lug around a larger model with more features. I just wanted a way to keep up with what's going on. The only negative I found after reading the reviews on Amazon was the headphone jack was in mono. OK. Big deal. If you feel the need to use headphones so you "won't give away your location"...you better be listening to what's going on around you instead of the freaking radio anyways!
I found a neat little Sterilte brand tupperware box that fits this radio perfectly along with a 4pack of AA batteries. As my homie Craig pointed out, don't leave a radio stored with the batteries in it. I bought two of them for the radios I put in my bags. Hi-tech. It's how I roll. Did I spell hi-tech right?
Having a transistor radio isn't a bad idea. And yes, there are better radios on the market. To each his own if you have the cash to buy a better radio or want to lug around a larger model with more features. I just wanted a way to keep up with what's going on. The only negative I found after reading the reviews on Amazon was the headphone jack was in mono. OK. Big deal. If you feel the need to use headphones so you "won't give away your location"...you better be listening to what's going on around you instead of the freaking radio anyways!
I found a neat little Sterilte brand tupperware box that fits this radio perfectly along with a 4pack of AA batteries. As my homie Craig pointed out, don't leave a radio stored with the batteries in it. I bought two of them for the radios I put in my bags. Hi-tech. It's how I roll. Did I spell hi-tech right?
Communications
I'm the farthest thing from an expert in communications. But, with the help of several friends and asking questions my posse and I decided on icom's v80 handheld radio. Mainly for the small size and price, but also for the extended range versus cheap "walkie-talkie" style radios...and the ability to scan local emergency frequencies. It's always good to know what's going on in your neighborhood.
The icom v80 can be bought at hamcity.com for $125. There are other places with close to the same price, but I had excellent service from hamcity and I can't speak for the other sites.
Your needs may be met by simple walkie-talkies or cell phones.
The icom v80 can be bought at hamcity.com for $125. There are other places with close to the same price, but I had excellent service from hamcity and I can't speak for the other sites.
Your needs may be met by simple walkie-talkies or cell phones.
Basic Tools
Have a good supply of hand tools and the knowledge to use them. Hammers, saws, screwdrivers, hand drills, levels, wrenches, files, etc. Have a few boxes of different types of fasteners on hand. Various nails, screws and some bolts could come in handy as well.
Keep a tube of caulking and some paint on hand along with some oil.
If the SHTF, you're probably not going to be able to jump in the sedan and cruise to the local Home Depot. And who knows? Maybe a neighbor will trade you a bottle of Jack Daniels No.7 if you can fix the door to his basement.
Keep a tube of caulking and some paint on hand along with some oil.
If the SHTF, you're probably not going to be able to jump in the sedan and cruise to the local Home Depot. And who knows? Maybe a neighbor will trade you a bottle of Jack Daniels No.7 if you can fix the door to his basement.
Keep your spirit up and sense of humor
Whatever it takes, do it.
If the SHTF, and you're bugged in with your family with no electricity it won't take long before a murder goes down. Remember the last snow storm when you were trapped in the house with the family for every bit of an entire day? OMG! Yeah. Magnify that times eleventy bazillion.
Kids need to be entertained. You know your kids and what they like. Keep some hard candy, gum, etc. for them along with some toys and maybe a portable DVD player that can be charged in your vehicle. Keep some books for them along with some coloring books depending on their ages.
Keep some stuff for yourself as well. A bottle of liquor or six pack of beer may knock the edge off when you've "had all you can take!" Keep a couple books for yourself and maybe a few batteries for that old transistor radio.
Again, what works for me won't always work for you. You know your family and yourself better than anyone. Customize your gear to your needs.
<Harcos Labs Zombie Blood energy drink. The zombies may get the drop on you, but not on me.
If the SHTF, and you're bugged in with your family with no electricity it won't take long before a murder goes down. Remember the last snow storm when you were trapped in the house with the family for every bit of an entire day? OMG! Yeah. Magnify that times eleventy bazillion.
Kids need to be entertained. You know your kids and what they like. Keep some hard candy, gum, etc. for them along with some toys and maybe a portable DVD player that can be charged in your vehicle. Keep some books for them along with some coloring books depending on their ages.
Keep some stuff for yourself as well. A bottle of liquor or six pack of beer may knock the edge off when you've "had all you can take!" Keep a couple books for yourself and maybe a few batteries for that old transistor radio.
Again, what works for me won't always work for you. You know your family and yourself better than anyone. Customize your gear to your needs.
<Harcos Labs Zombie Blood energy drink. The zombies may get the drop on you, but not on me.