I used to have one, had lots of stuff in it. I don't anymore, i figure as long as i can get far enough away from the disaster, i can regroup there. If i cant get far enough away we are screwed anyway. What i carry with me is more than enough. ( a few bucks for gas, phone, wallet, Glock, car/house keys ).
At this point id be more worried about finding all the animals and get them safely away.
I don't keep one, but Lori and I have mountains of backpacking gear and dehydrated food on hand pretty much all of the time. We could be packed and headed for the mountains with gear, ready to eat food, and other necessary stuff to disappear deep into the woods for a very long time if necessary. We also know of two family members who are ready to colonize with other people of various skills, and have places to do that if we have the opportunity to hook up with them. When you study and teach self defense, and can fix just about anything, you become pretty valuable in such situations.
I don't keep one, but Lori and I have mountains of backpacking gear and dehydrated food on hand pretty much all of the time. We could be packed and headed for the mountains with gear, ready to eat food, and other necessary stuff to disappear deep into the woods for a very long time if necessary. We also know of two family members who are ready to colonize with other people of various skills, and have places to do that if we have the opportunity to hook up with them. When you study and teach self defense, and can fix just about anything, you become pretty valuable in such situations.
About the same here. All right by the door. It's strange that the same type of people can be found around here.
My skill? I sing New Kids on the Block songs constantly. .... Wait, where is everyone going... I was joking, that's Boonie that does that!
I don't keep one, but Lori and I have mountains of backpacking gear and dehydrated food on hand pretty much all of the time. We could be packed and headed for the mountains with gear, ready to eat food, and other necessary stuff to disappear deep into the woods for a very long time if necessary. We also know of two family members who are ready to colonize with other people of various skills, and have places to do that if we have the opportunity to hook up with them. When you study and teach self defense, and can fix just about anything, you become pretty valuable in such situations.
Id rather "colonize" with friends and family. Sure i could survive out in the woods, but the key word is 'survive'.
72 hr supply of MRE's, plus some freeze dried long term stuff. 72 hr water packs (worst case scenario) BLS-EMT grade first aid kit. Solar/dynamo radio with USB charger, and flashlight. Fuel for basic kerosene lantern / said lantern is close by.. more of a back up if I have time. Multi-tool, and Swiss Army knife Folding saw (tested works on trees up to 6-8") more than enough for firewood. Waterproof matches! 8'8' tarp.. (Yes a lean to is easy.. but if you're in a hurry) and it only takes up about 2" at the bottom of the pack. 3 pr socks 3 pr skivvies 3 t-shirts
All of this fits in a basic ALICE pack (minus the lantern)
PS Weapons.. Well nunya.. But ascribe to the Orson Scott Card school of though.. You are prey.. Don't think offense.. think stealth and defense.
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07:39 PM
MidEngineManiac Member
Posts: 29566 From: Some unacceptable view Registered: Feb 2007
I used to have one, until I realized that in any situation where I would need one AND have the time to go get it....is exactly the type of situation when there will be no shortage of them and thier not-so-breathing-prior-owners laying around loose.
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08:31 PM
Uaana Member
Posts: 6570 From: Robbinsdale MN US Registered: Dec 1999
I used to have one, until I realized that in any situation where I would need one AND have the time to go get it....is exactly the type of situation when there will be no shortage of them and thier not-so-breathing-prior-owners laying around loose.
OK.. Poll your coworkers. I work in internet marketing/hosting.. I know of One out of 1500 that has even thought of this.. At this point if the snit hits the fan.. I can have my choice of useless cute office chicks to service me while I build my empire.
what he said. i'm staying home. i live in the sticks.
Great! I live in a preppy neighborhood that is mostly professional people and soccer moms.. If the neighbors need to group together, they will be useless..
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10:16 PM
lurker Member
Posts: 12355 From: salisbury nc usa Registered: Feb 2002
Originally posted by isthiswhereiputausername?: Great! I live in a preppy neighborhood that is mostly professional people and soccer moms.. If the neighbors need to group together, they will be useless..
some of them might surprise you. when i worked IT, the department was chock full of (gun) nuts. get to know your neighbors.
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10:21 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Enough supplies and rations to get out of town and survive for 3-4 days until I can reach a safe location. Bug out bags are pretty standard fair when you live in hurricane country. Living through hurricane Andrew when I was in Florida will make you a believer in some basic prep.
One thing to remember - copies of insurance and other important papers and any prescription meds needed.
Insurance policies--life, health,auto. Titles to property. Multiple forms of ID. Cash and lots of it and "things" to protect it with. Last Will and Testament. More cash. Cigarettes and whiskey. Travel light and move fast.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 03-29-2012).]
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12:16 AM
Khw Member
Posts: 11139 From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2008
I don't have a bug out bag.. but I have a "place" picked out if civilization colapsed. I know a nice little place with fresh water not o far off. Deer, moose, rabbits and other animals roam the area. Oh, and most imprtant, there are plenty of tractors with fuel in them I could use to dig out a shelter and plenty of rock to reinforce it. It would be cold as heck in the winter... But enough mulch piled on top of it would help insulate. Wheat grows wild around the area also, so it could be harvested, dried and ground up. Scrub oak is everywhere so plenty of fire wood available also. The biggest challenge would be medication for my daughter, She takes synthetic hormones since her thyroid doesn't work. She's of the age now that she can "do" without them but she would have a very slow metabolism and bouts of being lethargic.
I used to have one, until I realized that in any situation where I would need one AND have the time to go get it....is exactly the type of situation when there will be no shortage of them and thier not-so-breathing-prior-owners laying around loose.
Keep a basic two day supply in the car, and work your way back to your main supply. You should have some survival things in your car anyway.
Having all the gear but not pre-packed is unwise. That extra 10-20 minutes to pack may not always be available and if you're in the heat of the moment you WILL forget important items. I'm packing for a worst-case scenario which for this area would be a nasty tornado like in Joplin. Kinda hard to scrounge for supplies for a pack when said supplies and pack are blown miles away. If I have time, I'd grab the bag and head over to my friend's place that has a basement. If I don't have time, I'll grab the bag, hide in my bathtub (center room, no windows) and hold the bag over me to protect me from debris.
I recently bought Another ALICE pack with frame at a gun show for $35. I'm currently collecting supplies but haven't assembled my bag yet. Weapons are a MUST. Scumbags were holding up Red Cross workers in Joplin because they knew no-one had signal to call the police. Looting was rampant.
Heres some of what I plan on packing:
-tarp -MRE and water purification tablets, enough for 3 days -Magnesium fire-starter -Knife -box of waterproof matches -handful of zip-lock baggies -Para-cord -first aid kit -small wire saw -small LED flashlight and 2 sets extra batteries -shake/crank operated flashlight -crank-operated radio -couple plastic trash bags (can double as poncho) -duct tape, small roll of wire, handful of zip-ties -mylar blanket -sling-shot (every pebble becomes a weapon) -small compass -WEAPON and AMMO - I'll probably just holster my Glock 17 and toss in a box or two of self-defense ammo and a couple extra loaded magazines, although I ought to just buy another gun and just leave it inside the bag at all times.
If I was planning for an end-of-the-world scenario where I'd head out to the middle of the woods I would pack a bit differently and bring lots more gear. I'd fill up my car with as many supplies as it would take and drive it as far out in the middle of nowhere till it ran out of gas.
[This message has been edited by Alibi (edited 03-29-2012).]
What kind of car? (so I'll know it's you when you get here).
I live with lots of rural property nearby, but I'd probably just drive to my mother's place. Its pretty rural but has plenty of room for a garden and woods in back with deer, rabbits, squirrel, birds, etc. Its about an hour's drive from here.
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02:47 AM
blackrams Member
Posts: 33213 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
At this point in my life, I see no reason for a bug out bag. I try to keep my vehilces topped off with fuel and the cupboard as full as possible. Should some natural diaster strike my area and it's not a livable situation, I'd move if I had to so as to take care of family and friends but I can see no other scenerio that would cause me to leave everything I've ever worked for. Should some civil unrest come about where it's too dangerous for my loved ones, let there be no doubt, I'll do what I have to do but, living in fear is not my style. That's not to say I blame anyone for not being prepared but, prepared for what, some things you have to face head on.
------------------ Ron The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that) Always remember these words of wisdom.
"The Lord must truly love fools, for he made them in abundance."
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04:52 AM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
I have a hitop minivan. Its usually full of gas (28 gal). I can be on the road with what Id need in 1/2 hour. Friend of mine has a backwoods self sufficient house not far away. I just take the food I have, water jugs (10 gal) clothes, all my guns and ammo, portable generator, all my spare gas cans(20 gal), laptop w/ wireless internet. Van already has basic medical kit, propane heat, folddown bed, jump start battery w/ inverter, GPS.
His place is a very secure house he built for that purpose, with generator & 500 gals of diesel, water well. Its in deep woods next to a creek, on high ground, and about a 15 mile long dirt road.
In the winter, I basicly stay in the house anyway for weeks at a time, so im already pretty self sufficent.
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10:33 AM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
I have a hitop minivan. Its usually full of gas (28 gal). ....
His place is a very secure house he built for that purpose, with generator & 500 gals of diesel, water well. Its in deep woods next to a creek, on high ground, and about a 15 mile long dirt road.
.
When one does stuf like this, doesn't the fuel go bad? DO they keep it full, and drain it bi-yearly and refill?
500 gals? Probably not 2.5. I have a friend, who opted not to spend the $$ getting commecial utility power run to his remote homesite and has run off a diesel gen set for about 6 years now. He goes thru a LOT of diesel everyday. Dunno how much, but it's a 300kw generator with a 150 kw standby gen if the primary fails. There is some purple stuff he puts in it to inhibit fungal type growth I believe, and he is in the process of switching over to LPG engines on both gen sets. .
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07:05 PM
dennis_6 Member
Posts: 7196 From: between here and there Registered: Aug 2001
Ya far as I know diesel keeps way better than gasoline these days. He uses it for a weekend/vacation cabin all the time too, so he runs the generator all the time. He dont have any land lines to power...hes too far in the boonies.
Id rather "colonize" with friends and family. Sure i could survive out in the woods, but the key word is 'survive'.
That would ultimately be the plan, but my first priority would be in making sure we were safe from the flood/hurricane/civil war/martian invasion/zombies first. Then meet up with whichever group successfully gets established.
Ya far as I know diesel keeps way better than gasoline these days. He uses it for a weekend/vacation cabin all the time too, so he runs the generator all the time. He dont have any land lines to power...hes too far in the boonies.
I'm not knocking it, but if I was going to set up something similar I would likely go with Propane. It may be less efficient, but you can store it for a long time, and it's handy for heating and cooking as well without converting it into electric first.
Brad
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01:29 PM
Mar 31st, 2012
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
Hes thought about all that. Being deep in the woods, hes got wood for cooking and heat. No matter what the disaster, you can always find diesel fuel or kerosene, even from abandoned trucks. Propane would be hard to replenish.
I used to have one, until I realized that in any situation where I would need one AND have the time to go get it....is exactly the type of situation when there will be no shortage of them and thier not-so-breathing-prior-owners laying around loose.
Yup. Y2K is when i came to that realization myself. Not that i thought the world was going to end, but it got me thinking about it.
That would ultimately be the plan, but my first priority would be in making sure we were safe from the flood/hurricane/civil war/martian invasion/zombies first. Then meet up with whichever group successfully gets established.
I think transportation out of the mess is top priority, why stay in the middle of the disaster and make it harder?. Everything else can wait until you regroup after the smoke dies down. When my Eldo dies, ill be getting a 2 door blazer type truck i think.. ( 4wd ) Something I can still fix, and can skip using roads if needed. Would be a bit cramped but it should be big enough for us to get the pets in, some water, tool box, a tent, and ammo for protection ( and hunting if its really wide spread and the next town/state over doesn't have grocery stores and hotels. )
I already have camping supplies on the shelves in the garage, so would take only seconds to toss them in if i was at home when it happened ( which of course is unlikely. most likely ill be at work ).
Hes thought about all that. Being deep in the woods, hes got wood for cooking and heat. No matter what the disaster, you can always find diesel fuel or kerosene, even from abandoned trucks. Propane would be hard to replenish.
Depends on the area you are in, out in the country here you have propane "refill stations" with those huge tanks that are dotted all over the map. You also have every gas station, Walmart and hardware store in the area that have 'grill tanks' siting outside for 'swaps'.
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01:19 PM
Apr 1st, 2012
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
Ya, but those stores wont be open in a disaster. Dont you watch Walking Dead ? I see plenty of abandoned vehicles, especially big trucks. I have yet to see a propane tank....
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11:45 AM
Apr 2nd, 2012
dn69141 Member
Posts: 448 From: Sidney Nebraska Registered: Feb 2010
Being from Nebraska and in the middle of nowhere I have thought of this many times. Really anyone who lives in the "boonies, middle of nowhere, has a cabin to go to etc," better really watch out. If you read all the posts, and think what the "normal" person would say..its I'm going to the middle of no where or to the woods to survive. So the towns empty and the woods become filled. The cabins and the people who live in the country are going to have to fight a lot of people wanting to reside there instead of the town. If you own a cabin, hopefully you aren't far from it, because god knows there are 100 people that know where it's at and have thought...if snit hits the fan that's where I wanna go..and if they beat you... well that could be a surprise for you waiting. Just my .02.. though haha.
All I can say is I would trust nobody, shoot first, and survive.
I see plenty of abandoned vehicles, especially big trucks. I have yet to see a propane tank....
