Saturday, December 17, 2011

Praxis: A discussion solicited on "The Poor Man’s Guide To Survival Gear."

The author notes that his article is a "starting point" not a compendium. I like the guy's attitude in this article, although I disagree with some of his recommendations (mileage may vary), but he fails to mention the principle "survival" question, which is first and foremost not "how?" but "where and with who?".
A well-intentioned "prepper" fleeing TEOTWAWKI in some city is just fodder for some out-lying community's roadblock. The "not in my lifeboat" sentiment will rule the day and few will take the time to ascertain your good intentions, or even more importantly your skills and what you bring to the post-disaster party that can benefit the families of the men behind the guns at the community roadblock. Having been undoubtedly victimized by other less principled refugees before you get there, they will be in no mood for negotiation and, depending upon the expected length of the societal breakdown, will have little Christian charity left in them of the sort that commands that they take food out of the mouths of their children and give it to a stranger.
So, the first question is "Got resilient community?" Then the second question is "Got militia?" Answer those two and you won't have to bugout anywhere.
But, that said, I welcome the discussion on this praxis article.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just a thought on BoB gear....we're poor and we've made great use of cheap ALICE mix and match, just try not to mix camo paterns. Even Soviet bloc field gear will adapt to M1956 gear.

The other thing we've done is get the bug out done now. Left the big city and found the end of pavement 30 miles away. Didn't change our lives much except switching screaming sirens for coyote howls and squeaking corn. Of course errands take a little longer but a good trade.

There's plenty of small towns to become known in. Get your move done now while you can, don't be a well prepared refugee....


greenman227

Anonymous said...

"Got resilient community?"

Nope!

Because 98% of America doesn't realize there is a problem and or believe that government, who caused the problems in the first place, will fix the problems while providing hot coco with marshmallows. Party members only, of course!

Semper Fi, 0321 said...

anon@9:48,
Spot on. Same issue in my neighborhood, as is the case with friends I talk to across the whole country. Aside from these few blogs we frequent, the rest of the nation is asleep at the wheel, with no hope of waking up until they hit the wall at nine-OH!!! And then expecting an ambulance to be waiting there for them.
Most think the Titanic was a great fictional movie.

Anonymous said...

As available on the net:

100 THINGS THAT WILL DISAPPEAR FAST
Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

Anonymous said...

#2

As available on the net:

100 THINGS THAT WILL DISAPPEAR FAST
Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Livestock

Anonymous said...

We just moved to a new hose, and everyone around me is a retiree. We've only been here a month or so, and I haven't had a chance to interview anyone regarding their outlook toward preparedness. Honestly though, can I afford to take the chance that they won't become informers if I do broach the subject? No.

My wife and I are pretty much on our own. Even if we weren't you can't really count on people's continuing good attitudes, because human nature dictates that you "look out for #1" when it comes down to brass tacks.