prepping

[Time flies]

In the last month I've ordered wavian gas cans for gas storage. Bought a generator for power outages. Got my freezer out of storage and filled it with meat. Filled my cabinets with canned food. And planted some food to teach the kids the value of hard work and what it takes to grow food. Added medical to my go bag. As well as a backpacking stove. I think its a good start and look forward to adding more in the future.

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[Time flies]

In the last month I've ordered wavian gas cans for gas storage. Bought a generator for power outages. Got my freezer out of storage and filled it with meat. Filled my cabinets with canned food. And planted some food to teach the kids the value of hard work and what it takes to grow food. Added medical to my go bag. As well as a backpacking stove. I think its a good start and look forward to adding more in the future.

 

[titsonritz]

Don't forget the T.P.

 

[FireArm]

chem suits and gas masks?

 

[Time flies]

No. I can only talk the wife into so much. Covid helped me push for alot so far though.

 

[GOG]

Sound good.

 

[3MTA3]

Good start, especially with gas being inexpensive. Do you have stabilizer or a way to rotate it to keep it fresh?

How is your water supply? What would happen if your city water stopped flowing?

Rule of "3's" for mortality

• 3 minutes without oxygen
• 3 hours of unprotected exposure to extreme cold or heat
• 3 days without water
• 3 weeks without food

BTW, WinCo carries buckets, mylar bags, and oxygen absorbers in the bulk food section if you plan to store some beans, flour, rice, etc.. Don't forget salt and vitamins.

Not even going to speculate about your coffee stocks, since only a crazy person wouldn't tend to that first.

If the power goes out longer than you can keep your generator running do you have a way to preserve all that meat in your freezer? Canning supplies? How about preserving as biltong? If the electricity or NG goes off line, do you have a way to at least cook it?

 

[titsonritz]

• 3 hours of unprotected exposure to extreme cold or heat
• 3 days without water

Depends on how extreme.

 

[3MTA3]

Depends on how extreme.

Just a rule of thumb to aid with prioritization. For example, at one time I could hold my breath longer than three minutes.

It's pretty well known in preparedness circles:

Rule of threes (survival) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Medic!]

Don't forget three months without a house payment.

 

[Siglvr]

Good man. "They" say that anything worth sayin' once is worth sayin' twice. That might be true.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suggest putting a tag with the date on the gas can. Fill it with non-ethonol. You'll need to rotate it, and non-E lasts longer. Treating it with PRI-G or some other treatment might get you a full year before it goes bad.

Suggest putting a tag with the date on the gas can. Fill it with non-ethonol. You'll need to rotate it, and non-E lasts longer. Treating it with PRI-G or some other treatment might get you a full year before it goes bad.

 

[Siglvr]

Also, having a catchment from your gutter and a water filter (or 5) is worth having if you don't have already.

I have Multiple filter types, (2 MSRs, a UV Steripen, couple of others) suggest getting a Sawyer to start, I don't want to pony up the big bucks for a Berkey although that would be the best.

 

[Geardo]

Everyone here has good ideas. Water catchment is a little tricky. The better systems will allow a few gallons past until the flip over and start collecting. Also gotta keep your gutters clean! Need a way to store enough water to get through dry spells.

Medical is good so good work. Can get adapters to use the 5 gal tanks on the little camping stoves so they last a long time.

If you can find cheap lumber now, thats good to have for boarding up windows. So are sandbags and fill dirt, gravel, or sand....

Flashlights, lanterns, and solar charger are good, bonus points if they all run off 18650 batteries. Radios are good to have, even if just for listening.

Coffee, TP, and a hole or bucket or something....

 

[Time flies]

Like I said I'm starting out. All of your posts are helpful. And yes I have a few good size containers for water storage as well as a few ways to treat it. A hand held ham radio and plans to get walkie talkies. And yes the gas cans is for long term storage so I picked up sta-bil and ethanol free gas. I have a 2 burner camp stove as well as lots of propane set aside. No other was to preserve food at the moment. Flashlights and lots of Spare batteries as well as a solar panel and solar batteries pack to charge phones. Found an adapter for ryobi batteries that can power a fan or string lights as well as charge a laptop several times over. Busy trying out freeze dries foods to see what the family WILL eat so I can stock up. I already have buckets full of flour sugar and rice beans. Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers are already in use.

 

[Howard1955]

Beans, rice, corn, & wheat berries are good preps. If you get heirloom varieties of beans, corn, and wheat you can use some for seed, if that's ever needed. I don't know anything about growing rice, though.

Also, a high-quality grain-grinder or two (three?) will come in handy.

A hand pump on your well, with a couple of spare pumps, is a good idea.

A system to purify water is a good thing to have. Several brands/choices out there.

If you haven't found out about Gamma-Seal lids for 5-gallon buckets, have a look at them.

 

[Time flies]

Oh and planning on adding a bucket toilet and camp shower just in case.

 

[Howard1955]

Oh and planning on adding a bucket toilet and camp shower just in case.

We had that experience recently, when the ancient septic system died. Made us very appreciative of the basics, like flushing toilets.

 

[3MTA3]

Worth considering while you come up with a solution for water storage: WaterBOB - Emergency Drinking Water Storage | Keeps Water Fresh and Clean

Basically a bag that fits in your bathtub and holds up to 100 gallons. It's single use but only costs $35. If the next "blip" is an earthquake/Cascadia event or other natural disaster it could be the difference between life and death. Your water heater is also a potential supply of water.

If you have the space you can get surplus IBC totes that store either 275 or 333 gallons of water each under $200. Get the ones used to store glucose for bakeries ( I got a 333 gallon one from a local bakery for $75 IIRC). Fill, treat with pool shock, drain rinse, and refill. City water remains potable up to 10 years and if you are on well water there are inexpensive treatments that do the same. There are hose bib adapters for the outlet to make for easy access.

 

[CHLChris]

I would definitely be called a prepper and most folks reading this thread will understand when I say this:

All the time, money, and effort were proven completely worth it when on March 18th or so when the whole world was shutting down around us and I felt at peace!

 

[3MTA3]

Like I said I'm starting out. All of your posts are helpful. And yes I have a few good size containers for water storage as well as a few ways to treat it. A hand held ham radio and plans to get walkie talkies. And yes the gas cans is for long term storage so I picked up sta-bil and ethanol free gas. I have a 2 burner camp stove as well as lots of propane set aside. No other was to preserve food at the moment. Flashlights and lots of Spare batteries as well as a solar panel and solar batteries pack to charge phones. Found an adapter for ryobi batteries that can power a fan or string lights as well as charge a laptop several times over. Busy trying out freeze dries foods to see what the family WILL eat so I can stock up. I already have buckets full of flour sugar and rice beans. Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers are already in use.

You're doing great. Input from myself and others is intended to be helpful and not critical. I spend a small amount each pay period alternating between all the areas - food, medicine, water, communications, etc. to keep it from being overwhelming and not bust my budget. Thank you for sharing your experience - it's a great reminder for the rest of us.

Lots of resources at survivalmonkey.com if you are so inclined.