Awareness and Getting Involved

Wow, there are some really good discussions taking place in this new subforum, and I'm very thankful to Jerry for moderating and to everyone who contributes.

So now to the meat of things... My fiance isn't thrilled about this whole preparedness/survival thing. She's okay with shooting my guns (mostly my AR-15), but she isn't terribly excited about it. Along the same lines, she is okay with the idea of me carrying concealed, but she doesn't want to really consider it for herself.

Much of my family and many of my friends show a similar front: They are accepting of my "hobbies" but they don't want to get their hands dirty.

What is the best way to introduce these people to ideas like keeping a few weeks of extra food in the house and having a "Bug out Bag"? They probably think I go to sleep at night with my tinfoil hat on, so how do I show them that being prepared is a good idea? (I like to call it "being prepared"... they would probably call it "being paranoid".)

Any advice or good plans would be really appreciated, especially for helping my fiance see things from the "always better to be prepared" perspective.

Thanks fellas and keep up the good work! [Beer]

I have a similar problem with the door being unlocked at our baby sitters house. I'm considering dropping off my daughter, driving around the block, then running into the house with a ski mask on.

I'm not sure how that will help your problem though. I'd suggest that if that is not their mind set, then treat them like they treat you. Accept them for the way they are, but don't try to push them to change, as I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it very much if they were constantly trying to get you to stop carrying. Maybe just be prepared yourself and let them learn the hard way. I know you have their best interest in mind, but sometimes people just don't want to change their life style.

Use the situation currently going on in the D.C./East Coast area.

A major storm occurs. Are you prepared to be home-bound for an extended stay or will you be trying to brave it through the snow/ice/etc. to get essentials?

The power went out. Do you have anything to keep you warm and/or provide you with light?

The water main broke leaving you without water. Do you have any water stored to give you something to drink or allow basic hygiene cleansing?


Perhaps we should store up a few items "just in case".



Does that help?

My thought is for the next party or event you go to give them some kind of gift you know they wouldn’t eat right away. It could be a funny gag gift "Cans of food, MRE" maybe at a gift exchange, but you never know it might save their life if we ever get another snow storm or something.

An odd way to do it I guess.

I've had similar issues with my gal, her family and my parents (still live at their house when home from college). They were not thrilled to have me get my carry permit (I was outside the sheriff's office before they opened on my 21st [LOL]) own an AR, construct a BOB, or have stored extra supplies around the house. I asked my girlfriend a year in advance and "discussed" an AR purchase with her for that year before she finally okayed it (I'm going to marry this girl and wanted us to be on the same page, please don't flame me), with a similar frame on the CCW. After I pointed out to her local and world wide issues (on a constant basis) where these items would become useful and necessary, she became okay with the idea, and now she can run my Glocks, revolvers and ARs like its nobody's business. I think for them it was the purpose that the didn't understand, and they judged the looks of the items (especially the ARs - yes, now plural!)

Similar experiences with the extra supplies and BOB, especially with the recent earthquake in Haiti. The BOB became a good idea after I had it with me (I take it when I leave college, won't do me any good if I'm in Denver and it's in Greeley) and a friend got a nasty cut on one of our outings. Fortunately, my BOB has a very well stocked med kit, and we were able to treat him well before getting him to medical attention. While not to say that my kit will fix everything, it was the experience of something bad happening and me having the ability and supplies to aid and remedy the situation that changed their mind.

While they may not run out and buy the latest gun or survival equipment, at least now they have an appreciation how they may come in useful at a bad time, and how that one emergency use more than outweighs the expense, used space, and inconvenience of "being (sufficiently) prepared."

Just my .02

My wife (gfriend at the time) didn't like them either until one day a creeper started following her. She told me about it, we discussed what she could've done, where to go, etc. Went to the range, taught her how to shoot, etc. Now she's all about it. We are at the store and she'll be like "Don't we need some (ammo/water/etc)?" And I'll just be like, "I love you." HAHA.











Oh yeah, thanks Eric for being the "creeper" for me. I still owe you that beer.... hehe.

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Originally Posted by theGinsue

Use the situation currently going on in the D.C./East Coast area.

A major storm occurs. Are you prepared to be home-bound for an extended stay or will you be trying to brave it through the snow/ice/etc. to get essentials?

The power went out. Do you have anything to keep you warm and/or provide you with light?

The water main broke leaving you without water. Do you have any water stored to give you something to drink or allow basic hygiene cleansing?

Perhaps we should store up a few items "just in case".

Does that help?

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I think this may be the best way in so to speak. After the one storm that after 3 days the shelves were half empty I took the wife in there (king Soopers). We walked through the store and I could see the look on her face. I told her. This is 3 days. What is it going to look like in 7 if the trucks don't get through?

That completely changed the way she looked at it. Before she just put up with it even though she likes to go shooting and camping.

I think Ginsue brings up an excellent point using D.C. as an example. We have all seen terrible storms here and once again I point out that I think everyone on this forum are pretty much like-minded thinkers.

I was always taught as a kid to be prepared, having jackets and proper tools in cars, firewood, etc. I think we can get our families and friends on board a little better by identifying the very real eventuality of a major snow storm or something of that nature. Someone else pointed out on the forum on a different thread that every time you go to the store to have by a couple extra cans of something (something you are willing to eat). I also hate going to the store so I try to buy as much as possible (without it going bad) to lessen the amount of times I go to the store.

My girlfriend (Soon to be wife) is very on board with shooting, guns, CCW's, survival, preparation, etc. I know that not everyone is not as fortunate to have that. Always be prepared for that snow storm or being stuck at your house four a couple weeks and when the Zombies attack you will actually be a lot more prepared.

I feel that I can't stress enough about practice. Having a plan is great, and a good idea, but has anyone ever practiced? Everyone here goes to the range to practice, all the campers on here practice getting water, building shelters, making fire, etc. and sometimes do it without even noticing they are doing it. Practicing the bug out situation I think would be a good idea.

I personally think of two plans, one where I will stay and one where I will bug out. Keep in mind that at any time I may have to bug out after I have chosen to stay. And for all the people with families, this concept is new to me, practicing with everyone is essential because all the survivor guys on here know how easy it is to take care of one self rather than 3-5 or more additional people

I have practiced with many of the items I have. That even goes for that damned whole egg powder. Used to go dry camping for a couple of weeks at a time to my spot in the middle of nowhere.

Spent the night in the camper once when it was 25 outside just to see if my heating plan would work and how much kero my lamps were going to take. I was not happy for about two hours.

What I forgot to mention about myself is that I practice lots of things, and buy extras of things, but I think I get into the habit that many people do as well...I put things off, or get "too busy" to practice.

I am certainly a culprit in that department and have a tendency to practice more often in summer months and less often (which sometimes is virtually never) in winter months

The plan and practice for actually bugging out have to consider the very real possibility of traffic clogged roads, roads closed and or controlled by BG's, etc. How will you get to where you want to be? How will you get away quick enough to avoid whatever it is you are leaving to avoid? If you have family, do you have rally locations identified (primary and alternates)?

What if your route is downwind from a chemical/biological/nuclear event? Do you have alt routes or know alternate paths if you have already started on your route?

Do you realize that you probably won't be able to rely on your cell phone for communication? Even if the whole "the government has a plan to disable/take over voice comm's in the event of a serious disaster" is an urban legend, you can at least expect the lines to be clogged (anyone remember trying to make a call - especially a long distance call as 9/11 unfolded?).

I know that Jerry is looking to or has started a communications thead so this side of things will be addressed there, but....

Do you realize that you probably won't be able to rely on your cell phone for communication?

Does HAM Radio still work? I am very uneducated in the matter.

Also food for thought is having a number of different maps prepared for your primary and alternate locations. There were a few places I would go that I could not find a map at REI or similar stores so I found on the USGS website you can have maps made. I had a few maps made, scale 1/24,000, which works pretty well with a military grid protractor (which is 1/25,000).

Keeping in mind of a previous post about possible chemical or nuclear agents a person may want to be aware of where the refineries and things like that are in their area (i.e. Commerce City). I for instance have an alternate location in Kansas, although not my ideal location it is separated from those types of things and not really easy to get to, unless you know exactly where you are going and what you are doing.

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Originally Posted by KevDen2005

Do you realize that you probably won't be able to rely on your cell phone for communication?

Does HAM Radio still work? I am very uneducated in the matter.

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Who can say for sure, but I suspect that this is a mode of communication that should remian available.

HAM should still work as it is a direct connection... from one radio to another.

Cell phones rely on satellite and powered towers. Same with computers, etc. Even some brands on handheld "all purpose" walky-talkies and CB's use the cell towers without a direct link transmission...

So if SHTF, SW/HAM and it's descendants may be the only way to communicate long distance... unless we use smoke signals, HAHA.

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Originally Posted by theGinsue

Use the situation currently going on in the D.C./East Coast area.

A major storm occurs. Are you prepared to be home-bound for an extended stay or will you be trying to brave it through the snow/ice/etc. to get essentials?

The power went out. Do you have anything to keep you warm and/or provide you with light?

The water main broke leaving you without water. Do you have any water stored to give you something to drink or allow basic hygiene cleansing?


Perhaps we should store up a few items "just in case".



Does that help?

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That is the way to go right there. My wife almost has a panick attack when she thinks of this stuff. Unfortunately she is part of the majority that would rather wait till it happens and then panick then to just prepare a lil bit. PPPPPP!!! I cant get here to take a plan seriously, but I have one ready and precise details for her in case I am out of town or at work when it happens.

If your loved ones arent willing to prepare, all you can do is modify your plan to help them. All others are on there own.

from today's news.

In the capital, government workers jostled with other residents in supermarket check-out lines, often 30-people long, to stock up on whatever staples were still available. Delivery trucks had trouble reaching many area supermarkets, leaving customers seeking cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables and even Diet Coke staring at empty shelves.
David Fiore, 49, an employee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, said he had gone to four stores looking for milk on Monday, with no success. By Tuesday morning, his local supermarket had restocked and he left with a 1 gallon (3 liters) of milk, more than he usually buys.

Like has been said. If you are having trouble starting ya need to hammer this home. My being prepared was nothing more than the outgrowth of how I grew up. I think the longest we ever went was 10-12 days without power. We also had no way of getting out due to all the trees brought down by the ice storm.

What kind of dummy goes to four different stores looking for milk? That would be the same as driving to four different stores to find donuts.

OK for Beer, but for Milk?

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Originally Posted by MichiganMilitia

So now to the meat of things... My fiance isn't thrilled about this whole preparedness/survival thing. She's okay with shooting my guns (mostly my AR-15), but she isn't terribly excited about it. Along the same lines, she is okay with the idea of me carrying concealed, but she doesn't want to really consider it for herself.

Much of my family and many of my friends show a similar front: They are accepting of my "hobbies" but they don't want to get their hands dirty.

What is the best way to introduce these people to ideas like keeping a few weeks of extra food in the house and having a "Bug out Bag"? They probably think I go to sleep at night with my tinfoil hat on, so how do I show them that being prepared is a good idea? (I like to call it "being prepared"... they would probably call it "being paranoid".)

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Luckily my Wife is totally on board with the need to prepare for the worst. She doesn't think it's weird I stockpile food and supplies. She understands my desire to learn how to live without civilization. She's not a gun enthusiast, but she totally gets the need to keep and be proficient with firearms. However, like you, I just wish the others in my life were more aware and proactive. Bringing the subject up always begets that funny look...

I've come to the conclusion that most people don't want to be aware or prepared. They actually feel better trusting their lives to a false belief that government is going to take care of them if something happens. And of course the government is more than happy to reinforce that belief to further their own agenda. I know I fell into that blind herd mentality in another life. Thankfully I woke up before it was too late.

I think in the end all one can do is be a messenger, set a good example and teach those who are willing. And you have to accept that some, probably most, just don't want to save themselves...

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Originally Posted by esaabye

OK for Beer, but for Milk?

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true

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Originally Posted by Stuart

What kind of dummy goes to four different stores looking for milk? That would be the same as driving to four different stores to find donuts.

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Perhaps they've got a kid at home.

I wonder if this guy bothered to check out the shelves for powdered milk? Personally, I don't care for the stuff (last time I had any was 25+ years ago, maybe it's better now), but it's better than no milk at all!

My guess is most folks don't even realize there is powdered milk. Lots of them don't think past tomorrow, either.

Even for a child, milk isn't required. Certainly not enough to drive around in the middle of a snow storm on unmanaged streets.

Agreed

So my girlfriend thinks I'm an official Tinfoil hat armorer, but she does agree with me now on stocking up supplies. I had to explain the logic behind it several times, now she thinks it's as logical as I do. A little more brain washing and she'll be ready for a hat of her own.[Beer]

Very good news!

Lets see, my lady is a conservative, her parents who have moved in with us due to the economy are ultra-conservatives.

Our basement resembles a cold war era civil service rally point. Our neighbors are mostly conservatives with their own bunkers in their basements. In one of the block BBQs last year, a marine neighbor presented us with a neighborhood emergency plan for a SHTF scenario.

oh and I am a foreigner! [ROFL1]

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Originally Posted by MB888

oh and I am a foreigner! [ROFL1]

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Maybe originally, but you're one of us now!

Sounds like you're fitting right into that neighborhood. Sounds a lot like a place I wished I lived!

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Originally Posted by MB888

Our basement resembles a cold war era civil service rally point. Our neighbors are mostly conservatives with their own bunkers in their basements. In one of the block BBQs last year, a marine neighbor presented us with a neighborhood emergency plan for a SHTF scenario.

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I guess we won't be looting in Centennial.[M2]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theGinsue

Use the situation currently going on in the D.C./East Coast area.

A major storm occurs. Are you prepared to be home-bound for an extended stay or will you be trying to brave it through the snow/ice/etc. to get essentials?

The power went out. Do you have anything to keep you warm and/or provide you with light?

The water main broke leaving you without water. Do you have any water stored to give you something to drink or allow basic hygiene cleansing?


Perhaps we should store up a few items "just in case".



Does that help?

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I think that's a good approach also. When I lived in Northern VA we saw the mad rush to the stores when ever a storm was coming in or there was a threat of snow. Nothing like CO of course but big for that area. I lived with my sister and we got into keeping a pantry of food items. She cooks a lot and so we had powered milk :) One storm we couldn't get out of the house for 5 days but we had food.

If you point out the obvious storm/loss of electricity/flood scenario most people could relate.


For the communications, I don't know if big brother can or would shut down cell towers but the problem, IMHO, is overload. If everyone's trying to make a call it will overload the systems (towers, phone lines, data centers)

Back when I used to work for a certain telco, they managed PIN's for emergency responders. People with the pin would have their call placed at the top of the line when dialing a number. While it's important for you to be able to talk to your family the responders are using the call for status reports, coordinate efforts and such (you hope).

I know the GPS satellites are controlled by the military and civilian access can be turned off which is why there was a stink years ago when the Europeans were doing their own version of GPS. US Government can't shut that one down. Maps and a compass baby!

Ham radio's should be fine since they operate on radio waves unless there's a jammer on the frequency. You and the receiver would need power to the equipment but the actually capability would be there.