Starting My SHTF List!

[Colorado Luckydog]

I already have every piece of camping gear known to man. I also have plenty of guns and ammo. (Trust me!) What I don't know, is how long to prepare for. I have land back in Oklahoma but that would be a last resort to go back there. If I could make it back there I should be fine depending on what kind of shit hit the fan is happening. I have a well so there should be plenty of water. Game and fish or plenty. I think I will plan on 3 months of survival and be prepared to make the journey back to Oklahoma if needed. Here's the beginning of my list.

1. A Plan (that's what I'm beginning now)
2. Water
3. Food
4. Fuel (propane and gas) (enough gas to make it back to Oklahoma)
5. Medical Supplies
6. Communications (I need to do some homework on this)
7. Transportation (I have this covered with 4x4 truck, car, atv, and a trailer)
8. Power (I have a small generator but would like to add a bigger one, and I have a ton of rechargable batteries)

This is the begining of my list and the start of making a plan. I'm not sure why I'm posting this. Maybe I'm looking for ideas or just thinking outloud. Thanks for any input.

[Wulf202]

You're off to a good start!

On the fuel storage, blitz plastic cans suck ass, find good mil surplus cans. Invest in stabil fuel stabilizer and double dose the stored stuff. I just got done burning gas that was almost 3 years old that had been double dosed with stabil and it burned fine.

Instead of getting a bigger generator consider a solar backup system or just how to use what you've got, most of the time a small genny will work if you use it carefully.

[M2MG]

I was wondering what kind of list this was going to be. A list of things to buy, or a list of people to..... Never mind, good luck with your planning.

M2MG

[BigBear]

It's the Bucket List.... hehehe

[theGinsue]

You're off to a good start!

On the fuel storage, blitz plastic cans suck ass, find good mil surplus cans. Invest in stabil fuel stabilizer and double dose the stored stuff. I just got done burning gas that was almost 3 years old that had been double dosed with stabil and it burned fine.

Instead of getting a bigger generator consider a solar backup system or just how to use what you've got, most of the time a small genny will work if you use it carefully.


Good info on the gas cans! Thanks.

Another thing to consider about generators is that they make noise that shouts to others "Here I am and I have stuff you can kill me to take".

[68Charger]

Another thing to consider about generators is that they make noise that shouts to others "Here I am and I have stuff you can kill me to take".

so do lights on after dark, if you're in the scenario where nobody else has power...

[Colorado Luckydog]

Lots of different situations and shit to think about.

[rforsythe]

Out of curiosity, what do you *need* a genny for? I'm having a hard time coming up with things that couldn't be handled with solar chargers or hand-crank-type items, or done with less convenience but less/no power usage. That includes everything on your list at the top. You won't run a house on it, but then again do you really need or want to? And +1 on staying inconspicuous, which means making as little noise as possible, and not being the one glowing room in a sea of darkness. Also gen's need fuel, which would likely become a highly sought-after commodity (along with food and water). Learning how to get along without it means you're that much less dependent on something you may not be able to reliably find, especially if you're trying to make it several hundred miles.

Just my $0.02 though, this is a good forum with lots of solid advice. Enjoying reading it.

[refryguy]

so do lights on after dark, if you're in the scenario where nobody else has power...

I've invested in some really good solar cells. I use big yacht DC batteries and keep them charged with a couple of 120volt 12 amp solar cells. It keeps my heater, lights, and water pump in my trailer running all night and day. I can also run TV's, laptops, etc with no problems. If its really cold the blower motor on the heater takes a lot out of the batteries but usually lasts until day time then recharges pretty quick.

[BigBear]

On bugging out to get to your Oklahoma place....

Make sure that isn't your plan A. Think of the logistics involved of traveling x amount of miles. The gear needed, pressure on teh car, gas, family, etc. In a worst case situation, you'd be traveling on major highways with millions of other people vying to find the "perfect spot". Then you have to think about road blocks, criminals, police/militaty, etc. What about when you stop to refill? Who says someone won't shoot you and take your car, etc... I've just never thought bugging out to some remote location should be the first option. Just my two cents.

What I was going to write about was your communications.... In a "situation" which is undefined, we do not know whether coms will be operational or not. Obvisouly with a nuc, the EMP will take out certain structures, etc. With a regular ICBM, just infrastructure, etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is that one of those $40 shortwave/AM/FM crank radios you can pick up at Radio Shack should be fine for the intermediate time you are traveling or getting situated. HAM radios would be nice, but it's no garuntee that Jack, John, Bob, and Sue Ellen will have one too. Also, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have small mile or so range handhelds for your family when/if you're hunting or away. No garuntees that cell towers, etc will still be operational.... plus lots of baterries. Believe it or not but you can rig up batteries with glass jars, potatoes, and a few other things - I'll try to find that diagram, something we did back in my boyscouts days. Had like a two hour charge off a simple potatoe.

[68Charger]

Out of curiosity, what do you *need* a genny for? I'm having a hard time coming up with things that couldn't be handled with solar chargers or hand-crank-type items, or done with less convenience but less/no power usage.

My well pump- 1.5 HP motor, 240V

This can be run with an inverter & solar- but will require 4kW inverter with nothing else running for startup. If I ever do a new well pump (here or elsewhere) I'll spring for the extra $$ for a DC-powered well pump.

I also have a heat pump for heat currently, that could be replaced with emergency wood-burning system- but if I need a 4kW inverter to run the well pump, that same inverter can run the heat pump (just not at the same time), and it's very efficient.. (ground source heat pump, 400% efficiency)

[daemon734]

I'm looking into getting a nice genny to power my two fridges and the freezer full of meat. I could definately last a lot longer with all that food staying cold.

[nakedhunter]

My opinion is if there is an issue that requires people to be on their own for 3 months, it's going to be a lot longer than 3 months... At least a year.
Otherwise 1-3 month supply for a bug-in, but get it packed good enough to bug-out if you really have to.

My thoughts on some of your beginning list:
If you are thinking a deep SHTF, don't forget your seeds.
Go with non-GMO. Especially if you have land, your temporary food supply will run out quicker than you think.

Communications - as mentioned if EMP oh well with anything that was not Faraday caged. But good ol' CBs are my first choice otherwise, still millions of them out.

Medical supplies - make sure you have training for whatever you have. Don't plan on taking out an appendix in an emergency with all the cool supplies if you have no training - dead is dead.

Generators - I can't recommend any higher than a couple honda eu2000i generators with a parallel power kit. A lot lighter to move around over a 4k and you can use individually when needed without going through the gas or parallel them for the 4k. Plus the built in inverter is basically needed nowadays for anything electronic (plus these are pretty darn quiet).
But I would agree if you can go solar once you get where your going but it should already be there - toting around panels large enough to do much will be hard.

Remember the rule of 3's: 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter (in extreme enviros) 3 days without WATER, 3 weeks without food, and of course 3 months with "companionship".
Water is much more needed than food short term.
Get a water filter device - I like the Katadyn Pocket: 13,000 gallons on 1 filter.

Blankets - not just to keep warm but if you are running lights you can use cheap blankets nailed, taped, etc over the windows. You can pick up 12 wool & fiber blend LARGE blankets for cheap.

Tents, sleeping bags, etc. of anything you would take camping.

Fuel - for gas cans I would also highly recommend finding surplus wedco military cans - the NON-CARB compliant, they don't make them anymore for the U.S thanks to the enviro freak regs.
Get the stabil and store the gas if you can. If you wait to go fill your cans up when you need them - you won't be getting any gas.

If you have pets - don't leave them out of the plan. Dog food, etc.

Hopefully some of that will help you with your a beginning of a plan...

[blackford76]

Construction sites, fuel in every piece of equipment, first aid kit in each, big heavy batteries, easy place to pick up a serious generator, and a dozer makes a decent "poor mans APC". One of the local quarries would make an ideal stong point. Most have easily defended locations, bulk fuel farms, generators you can run small towns on, every one I ever worked at used bottled water, and had about a months worth stock-piled. Plus, if they blast, well, yup, tons of explosives, litterally.

[black_m4]

I love this thread. I am in the middle of building a BOB too. The one thing I think I didnt see listed was one of the frist things I got. Para cord not sure if it was listed but it comes in handy.

[theGinsue]

Good call black...Para, or 550, cord is exceptionally versatile and strong.

[mx'r]

Construction sites, fuel in every piece of equipment, first aid kit in each, big heavy batteries, easy place to pick up a serious generator, and a dozer makes a decent "poor mans APC". One of the local quarries would make an ideal stong point. Most have easily defended locations, bulk fuel farms, generators you can run small towns on, every one I ever worked at used bottled water, and had about a months worth stock-piled. Plus, if they blast, well, yup, tons of explosives, litterally.

Yep.. Gotta agree on this one. I've worked a few quarry's around town and this is the place to hold down the fort. That or the hard rock underground mines up the hill.

[BushMasterBoy]

I have stashed a few hundred ounces of silver coins. I figure to trade for food and needed items if paper dollars are worthless!

[Rust_shackleford]

I have stashed a few hundred ounces of silver coins. I figure to trade for food and needed items if paper dollars are worthless!
Might not find some one who wants to trade food water ect for non eatables.

[BushMasterBoy]

Silver is a natural antibiotic.They now weave it into bandages! I buy socks at the local military exchange and they have silver woven into the soles, to reduce bacteria. I also make my own colloidal silver as a sinus spray to stop infections. Gold is more expensive...but silver saves lives! Link below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_uses_of_silver