Prepping For Different Climates

You never know when the shit is going to hit the fan (I don’t usually swear, but I am feeling saucy today).  According to Murphy’s Law, disaster will strike at the worst possible moment.  Included in that is extreme temperatures or weather conditions.  I live in a climate that is basically mild.  No snow during the winter and the heat is dry during the summer.  However, We are currently in the middle of a little heatwave with the temperature around 105 which sucks.

When making your prep plans, please account for possible extreme conditions due to our loving Mother Nature.  I cannot speak for those of you that live in snow country.  You have a much better idea of what you are up against.

When planning for water consumption most of us use the two gallons per person per day.  That is based on a temperate climate.  Crank the heat dial up to 100+ degrees and your water consumption is going to increase to 3 or more gallons per day based on your exertion level.  No matter what you are doing, your going to need more water the hotter it gets.

When I planned out my bug-out-bags and get-home-bags I included gear and provisions for both climate extremes.  I included large brimmed hats and sunscreen for a hot day’s walk home as well as the same gear for my kids in case they are with me.  That includes the kid friendly sunscreen.  I have ponchos (adult and kid) for a walk home in the rain and the hats will work to keep the rain out as well. 

Even if you live in a paradise like California, you should be prepared for extreme colds.  Obviously you don’t need to prep to the extent that those who live in snow country do.  Many of us have the thermostat set to 50 or so in the winter and don’t even realize the heater kicks on in the middle of the night to help keep the extreme cold out.  But once the power is down, you may soon realize just how cold it can get, especially at night.  Keep those old blankets and comforters instead of tossing them.  Throw them in a garbage bag and into the attic.  They may not look good (or smell good) when you need them, but warmth over comfort wins every time!  You may wish to invest in a Mr. Heater portable heater that runs off Coleman propane, especially if you have really little ones.  They need the warmth more than we do. 

Remember, things go bad when you least expect it and when external events will make that event even worse.  Plan for rainy, sunny, snowy, hot, humid, frozen conditions. 

-SP

For the Survival Gamers Out There

There really isn’t much for us survivalist/prepper/gamer types.  That is, until now!  Check out Fallout 3 from Bethesda, the guys that did the hugely successful role playing game Oblivion.  (If you are not a gamer then you can stop reading now and go back to reloading ammo, surfing the net anonymously or whatever we normally do)

Description:

Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America’s First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation.

Story:

Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

Key Features:

• Limitless Freedom! – Take in the sights and sounds of the vast Capital Wasteland! See the great monuments of the United States lying in post-apocalyptic ruin! You make the choices that define you and change the world. Just keep an eye on your Rad Meter!
• Experience S.P.E.C.I.A.L.!– Vault-Tec engineers bring you the latest in human ability simulation – the SPECIAL Character System! Utilizing new breakthroughs in points-based ability representation, SPECIAL affords unlimited customization of your character. Also included are dozens of unique skills and perks to choose from, each with a dazzling variety of effects!
• Fantastic New Views! – The wizards at Vault-Tec have done it again! No longer constrained to just one view, experience the world from 1st or 3rd person perspective. Customize your view with the touch of a button!
• The Power of Choice! – Feeling like a dastardly villain today, or a Good Samaritan? Pick a side or walk the line, as every situation can be dealt with in many different ways. Talk out your problems in a civilized fashion, or just flash your Plasma Rifle.
• Blast ‘Em Away With V.A.T.S.!– Even the odds in combat with the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System for your Pip-Boy Model 3000! V.A.T.S. allows you to pause time in combat, target specific body parts on your target, queue up attacks, and let Vault-Tec take out your aggression for you. Rain death and destruction in an all-new cinematic presentation.
• Mind-Blowing Artificial Intelligence!– At Vault-Tec, we realize that the key to reviving civilization after a global nuclear war is people. Our best minds pooled their efforts to produce an advanced version of Radiant AI, America’s First Choice in Human Interaction Simulation. Facial expressions, gestures, unique dialog, and lifelike behavior are brought together with stunning results by the latest in Vault-Tec technology.   

Eye-Popping Prettiness!*– Witness the harsh realities of nuclear fallout rendered like never before in modern super-deluxe HD graphics. From the barren Wasteland, to the danger-filled offices and metro tunnels of DC, to the hideous rotten flesh of a mutant’s face.

I personally can’t wait to live out my post apocolyptic fantasies on my high def tv!!  Check out the official site here.  It will be available on the XBOX 360, PS3 and PC.

-SP

Start Spreading the News….

I’m leaving today… no, I am not leaving!  Those are the words to New York, New York and it is New York that is in deep do-do…  Check it here

Oh man, talk about your worst fear… trapped in a building shaking and swaying like a drunken teenager!  Scary stuff New Yorkers!  All the preps in the world may not save you if the BIG one hits.

Ok, I am a little negative today, it happens from time to time!

-SP

From Safe to Armed in 60 Seconds

Many of us have pretty massive arsenals.  Shotguns, rifles and pistols.  I get excited just thinking about it!  The question you have to ask yourself is how fast can I go from safe to armed?  In my opinion if the SHTF and things go bad and the violence is at your door you need to be ready to repel borders in 60 seconds. 

If you have kids and guns you should have a gun safe.  If you have a gun safe then going from safe to armed in 60 seconds is relatively easy.  I keep my tactical Remington 870 ready to rock.  I keep 7 “00″ low recoil buck shells and 3 hollow tip slugs in the shell carriers.  That way I can grab the gun and be off in seconds.  I also keep my new Heckler and Koch USP .45 in a state of ready.  She is in a Blackhawk Tactical holster with a paddle holster attachment.  That way, no matter what clothes I am wearing I can clip the paddle holster on and roll!  For the .45 I keep two magazines of Hornady TAP Self-defense loads (235 grain) for some serious power. 

Between 20 rounds of .45 and 10 shotgun shells I feel that I am covered for unknown emergency situations.  Your rifle doesn’t need to be ready to go because rifles are typically for offensive reasons.  However, it couldn’t hurt if you do get your rifle prepped and ready. 

You definitely don’t want to be loading magazines or doing through ammo cans for ammunition when the manimals come knocking. 

Be ready to rock!

-SP

Building A Personal Gold Reserve

Have you ever noticed that the world’s nations have gold reserves?   Why, because they aren’t stupid and they know that their currency is only as good as the faith that people put it in.  The faith that the dollar you just took for digging a ditch will be accepted at the grocery store for food and beer.  Without that faith, fiat currency (paper currency) is worthless! (well you can still wipe your a$$ with it but toilet paper is much preferred).  Check out the updated stats here. EVERY Country has SOME reserves!

Knowing that a nation’s currency will become worthless in the most trying times, governments know that they MUST hold their most important asset, the country’s reserves, in an asset that will NEVER be worthless.  In fact, gold has been the defacto currency since … hmmm, let me think, oh yeah THE BEGINNING OF TIME! (look, I am no historian so I am sure some guy is going to email about some Sumerian Tribe circa 650 A.D. and all about how they used cat paws or otter tusks as a currency.  It is an exaggeration, I know it, you know it… lets move on)

In the event of a serious scenario in your country you are going to need to think about relocating.  Hard as it may be to think about now, but if the US gets nuked that Canadian border is going to start looking pretty sweet!  How are you going to start a new life?  Your gold reserves.  Your brokerage account is going to be worthless as it is just numbers in a computer unless you actually hold your stock certificates in your home vault.  Yeah, neither do I!!  Gold is your uber-rainy day stash and if the SHTF, then it is pouring rain and it is time to tap the gold keg.  You better hope you had the forethought to have one.  You can take gold to any, and I mean ANY country in the world and trade it for local and worthy currency that you get you food, clothes and rent on an apartment while you look for work to sustain your family.  Without some sort of reserve to take with you in the only international “currency” you are going to be living on the streets for a while until the money starts rolling in.  Gold is relatively portable and easy to transport. 

Take advantage now, start buying the American Eagle 0.10 of an ounce and socking them away.  This is one place Mr. Rawles and I agree.  They are at a good price at about $90 shipped right now at a number of places.  I order from BullionDirect.com. $90 here and $90 there will get a good little collection going.  You can usually trade a coin dealer 9, 0.10 ounce coins for a full ounce bar or coin because the 0.10’s have a premium.  How you want to hold your gold is up to you.  If you are a suburban prepper with some decent wealth then put some money in tangible gold and silver.  It will preserve some of the wealth you have worked so hard to accumulate, inherit or steal!  Besides, over the last few years it has turned out to be a decent investment (although not a sure thing)

Of course, I want to call your attention to the fact that if the situation is serious enough then FOOD is the new currency.  You can’t eat, smoke or drink gold so in a way it is still fiat currency.  It requires the faith if you accept it for your work done, you can use it to buy stuff!  Always, Always have your food squared away plus a 25% reserve before starting your gold reserves. 

And NO, I do not believe that we are at risk of the government confiscating our gold.  Is it possible? Sure.  The same way it is possible that a comet will hit the earth or aliens will make contact.  But the odds are too low to prep for it and like most relatively intelligent people, I play the numbers.  If you are truly paranoid about it, then take off your foil hat and go buy the coins in person for cash at a local coin store.

Having some gold or silver reserves will help you if you need to secure anything after a serious collapse because no one is going to be taking dollars… lol, they are getting to be worthless WITHOUT a serious event!  Everyone knows gold, everyone wants gold and there is a good chance everyone is going to trade for gold!  As preppers we are essentially little pack rats accumulating what we think we will need when “things” are no longer available as they have been in American society for over a hundred years.  Gold will allow you to preserve your wealth like your food will preserve your life. 

-SP

Spice it Up!!

I was grilling it up tonight and ran out of my favorite spice.  It prompted me to write this short post.  

Get some spices on hand for your food supplies.  I like emergency essentials long term storage spices.  I am a big fan of salt and garlic as a way to “spice” up that storage food.  Also, if you are forced to eat rat or pigeon you are going to want need some spices!  They are relatively inexpensive and can bad stored for years if done properly.  They don’t take up much space either which makes them ideal for the suburban prepper who is light on storage space. 

Side Note #1: I am brainstorming ways to get prepared-minded folks in contact with each other as was suggested by several posts and a lot of emails.  So far, nothing!

Side Note #2: The T-shirt designs are coming along.  Look for them in the next couple weeks.

-SP

The Prepper’s Dilemma

An interesting issue came up while a reader and I were discussing the CERT program.  In my opinion it is a serious dilemma that all preppers face.  Do we help others in times of disaster/need or isolate ourselves offering no help in order to prolong our survival?  If you help your neighbors you are going to make strong allies that may eventually form into a solid group.  On the other hand if you put yourself out there you risk injuring yourself (thus leaving your family more exposed or vulnerable) or using your hard earned preps on someone other than your loved ones. 

I don’t know about you, but my attitude is that I spent my time and money prepping as opposed to spending it on other “suburban” purchases (Playstations and neon bar signs, I guess) and therefore I have earned the right to consume them myself.  Not only that, but I didn’t prep enough for the whole neighborhood and I will definitely NOT be taken food out of the mouths of my kids for anyone.  The second that disaster hits every piece of prep gear you have becomes priceless.  Food will be uber-priceless once the supermarket distribution system is disrupted.  The unfortunate side effect of refusing to help your neighbors is the creation of bad relationships based on your neighbors erroneous belief that you SHOULD help them and you are a jerk for not doing so.  You may be able to avoid this by flying under the radar and not volunteering the fact that you are prepared and play it up as if you are hurting as much as everyone else.  Just don’t rip a big Mountain House spaghetti burp in your neighbor’s face after claiming you haven’t eaten in a few days!

If you can help your neighbors in a safe way or with a minimal use of your useful preps then by all means do so.  We are a society that relies on everyone to function properly and helping others helps foster a community spirit.  I believe that if I can help my friends and neighbors without hurting my family then I will do so.

Whichever way you decide to go, you should make that decision in advance and be ready to act accordingly.  You may wish to discuss your thoughts with your group or significant other so everyone is on the same page when the SHTF.  Each situation is going to be treated differently so think ahead and you’ll be alright!

Side Note #1: Gold and silver is low right now, if you have been waiting for a dip to buy, this is probably a good time.  I just picked some up.

Side Note # 2: I do want to thank the “anonymous” poster for calling attention to the difference between the CERT program as he saw it (training for helping FEMA) and how I planned to use it (training with your neighborhood using the CERT game plan).  They are both different and I didn’t do a good enough job explaining the differences.  If you train to assist FEMA the costs of the program are minimal but if you run the program privately to get your neighborhood involved, YOU will have to foot the bill.  Anyway, thanks for clearing up the confusion.

Side Note #3: You can now go directly to the site via www.suburbanprepper.com without the mention of wordpress.  Just FYI as the old address still works.

-SP

They May Be Closer Than You Think

One of the toughest aspects of assembling a survival or prep group is how we find others like us without broadcasting our beliefs to all.  Many of us, including myself, are hesitant to let others know about our prepping activities because we are content living our normal lives and don’t need any unwanted attention.  The byproduct of this isolationism is that we may never meet enough people to form a quality survival group.  I firmly believe that a group is the absolute best way to survive.  I do not have one… I am jealous of those who do.

With a group you can more readily purchase retreat property by spreading the costs over several members (check with your attorney before taking title jointly with anyone), you can acquire specialized equipment that is extremely expensive (night vision, home fire fighting water pumps) and lets face it… strength in numbers!

As this blog has expanded I have needed to call on friends for support and favors.  Of the last three people I have talked to about my blog and the preparedness movement all three confessed that they are preppers themselves and are totally interested in learning more about prepping.  I was shocked and awed!

So do your best to find creative ways to let your friends and neighbors know that you are are into self sufficiency and preparedness.  You don’t need to go into your specific (maybe more controversial) beliefs right away.  You might want to keep the gun and “foil hat” talk until later.  Folks who are not into guns but still have a preppers mindset are a valuable asset and shouldn’t be dismissed.  They can still make great member of a prepper group.  Take a risk let a few select people know about prepping … Oh wait, you are preppers, you don’t take risks!

NOTE on CERT PROGRAM MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY:

There were some positive/negative comments about my suggestions regarding a CERT program in my neighborhood.  First, let me clarify my statement. I intended to bring a CERT program to my neighborhood NOT take a CERT class and be part of the overall FEMA CERT program.  You can purchase the materials and kits yourself and it will help bond your neighborhood to the preparedness movement without being bound to assist FEMA when disaster hits.  That was not my intention at all.  It is my intention to assist my neighbors.  Even if you take CERT training programs you cannot be forced to participate in any FEMA rescue operation.  The law cannot force anyone to work against their wishes although you may be penalized in other ways if you agreed to assist otherwise.

-SP

Suburban Preppers Rule!

Although the movement was started by survivalist/isolationist types, the suburban preppers have taken over in terms of numbers and strategy.  Over at survivalistnews.com, you can check the stats yourself.  HALF of those surveyed are suburban preppers.  Although it is a relatively small sample at 140 it is large enough to show that suburban dwellers are the number (and percentage for that matter) majority of preppers.  Why?  Well the answer is relatively simple but still can’t ignored.  Suburbanites outnumber the rural “outlanders”.  Suburban preppers are going to be a force to be reckoned with.   If enough of us prepare for the worse, we will become a force of our own. 

One of my goals is to start a C.E.R.T. program with my enclave (my housing development).   C.E.R.T. stands for Community Emergency Response Team.  It is a program that provides the community with the knowledge, skills and equipment to help others in the time of a disaster.  Check them out.  I beleive you can apply to FEMA to get so of the equipment for free so it is worth looking into.  It will also get your neighbors thinking about prepping or be a great way to find other preppers who may be off the grid.

The other awesome stat was that the majority of those surveyed plan to shelter in place which I am a strong advocate of.  Attempting to flee even moderately populated areas is a mistake.  Almost every populated area has only one or two major arteries of ingress and egress and those will be absolutely jammed, I am talking parking lot!  Unless you have a sure-fire way (read helicopter) to get to your retreat, your best bet is to shelter in place, lock the house down and ride out the disaster.  The silver lining to the “Golden Horde” theory is that there will be masses of unprepared folks flooding OUTof the burbs.  Leaving us with more resources to scrounge and less people to worry about.  You can grow crops in your neighbors back yard when he makes a run for it or set up a rain catchment system on your neighbors roof for additional water capacity.

When the roving bands start to loot they will be harder pressed to find the suburban prepper because we will be hiding among thousands of homes that look the same.  A needle in a needle stack so to speak.  But the outlanders stick out like a sore thumb when you are hunkered down in the only structure on a large piece of land. 

I am thinking of putting together some Suburban Prepper T-shirts for my readers.  Any interest?  A good friend is a graphic artist and he is playing around with ideas as we speak.  Let me know your thoughts.

Please note, I have been almost completely off the survival “blog grid” for a few weeks.  A lot of bloggers will counter post or comment on each others’ posts.  Since I haven’t read anyone’s posts for quite a while my posts may be discussing the same things the other guys/gals are discussing.  If so, it is unintentional.  I am doing my best to catch up.

-SP

Back in the Action!

Loyal Readers, I am proud to say that after a long absence I am back and will be doing my best to post daily.

As many of you know I took the last few months to take the California Bar exam and then a nice week long vacation in Hawaii.  I am not sad to be done with that!  I am a surburban prepper so yes, I do vacation!

But, like any good blogger I would never post without providing some sort of preparedness advice/experience.  It is always good to remember to stay prepared for disaster (or something less) at any time… even vacation.

Like most good preppers I did my best to prep for the unknown even on my trip to Hawaii.  I packed first aid, multitools, flashlights and lightsticks.  I was restrained by the TSA on the restrictions of items I may bring so I did the best I could.  In other words, I had to leave my .45 at home.  I hated to be totally unarmed for a whole week….BUMMER!

My wife suffered a pretty serious wound while surfing.  She bailed hard and came down knee first on some coral… OUCH!  My limited first aid supplies were not enough to deal with the wound and she probably could have used stitches but we decided against it.  The nice thing about traveling in the US was that all of our normal stores were close by and was able to pick up butterfly bandages to keep the would closed, I cleaned it with peroxide (she loved that part) and then kept it clean for the rest of the week.  Wounds from coral must be cleaned well to decrease the risk from infection as coral is a living organism.  I am happy to say she is just fine and the wound closed nicely.  So, I wasn’t actually prepared supply-wise for this emergency but skill-wise and mentally we were just fine.  Never let your guard down… even on vacation.

Now some preppers are freaked out about traveling.  They have to leave there nests full of gear and supplies and that makes us already paranoid preppers even more nervous.  We have to remember that we can’t always be 100% safe.  Hell, even in our nests we are not 100% safe.  Even the most devoted prepper must venture out and enjoy life from now and then and just let it go!!  Don’t waste your life worrying about everything that could happen.  Do your best to minimize your risks and then just live! 

Even the most devout survivalist has to go into town for supplies now and then and every time you get in a car you are risking your life.  Enjoy your life and live it.  Keep prepping and I will see you soon!

-SP