S(hit) H(it) T(he) F(an)

[Pops]

This forum is for discussion on how to prepare for survival in the modern wilderness.
In the event of a natural or any other type of disaster, what should folks be doing now to prepare for it.

I was a boy scout long ago, made it all the way to tenderfoot. Of course that was back in the day when you had to drop your pull tab into your drink unless you were saving them for some reason.

For example, I have a "Bug-out Bag" in the making. Something I can grab and know it has at least the barest of needs for a trip out on foot. Lets say a dependable weapon, communications gear, maps, some idea of where to head to, medical supplies, MRE's, fire starting tools, hard currency like pure silver bars or rounds, flashlight, toilet paper.

Discussing this subject has made me aware of a lot of things I hadn't considered.
Like an extra pair of glasses. extra thick socks for walking, medications, water.
If you pack a weapon, what would you choose? .22 with 2000 shells?, 9mm or .45 with 500 rounds? What might one find in a scavaging expedition?

What would you consider absolutely essential to go in that bag, you keep in the back of the hall closet.

Pops

 

[Low Branch]

Of everything I have in my bug-out-bag, probably the most important is my documents. I carry a USB flash drive that contains copies of everything that is me; tax documents, insurance (home, life, medical, car), professional certificates, copies of all banking accounts, bills, debt, school transcripts, and just about everything. I take security seriously and I never leave the bag anywhere. I also encrypt all of the documents, but that encryption is only so good. This USB drive will enable me to begin my road to home from anywhere a SHTF situation leaves me. The purpose is for my family and I to be able to go home again, or to begin a new life again from afar (in the event of some disaster that forces us to not return to our current residence). Yes, I have guns and ammo that may end up in the bag, but I believe a situation where that becomes the most important item is unlikely. I do, however, prepare for the worst. Oh, yeah, do not forget a towel...

 

[Pops]

Very good!
I've never considered documentation, but could be a big one.
The flash drive is a convenient way to carry them too.
Copies of diplomas, school records, as you mentioned training certificates, birth certificates, etc.
For someone to walk out of the woods with no verifiable history, no work record, no school records etc, that would be very suspiscious.

On the other hand, I suppose a natural disaster would not destroy the entire planet. Somewhere there would be a record of me in the world. That record would have to check out.

One of the things I always consider is medical needs. There are tons of folks who take medications that are quite necessary for them to function. If there was a breakdown in the chain of delivery, copies of perscriptions could be filled in another state, but if you don't have them or any good way to verify who you are without good documentation, you'd have to try and convince a pharmacist that you needed this particular high blood pressure medicine or that specific migraine medicine.

Good one!

Pops!

 

[Low Branch]

Documentation can prove who you are in many instance. Certainly any copy of your birth certificate on a USB drive is not a legal copy, but it can work in a pinch. I spent one afternoon with my scanner copying all important documents I have. Now, I simply maintain it. One copy remains right here on this computer while another copy is on the USB drive. I have also considered using cloud storage, but I fear that puts me in a spot to rely upon getting access to the internet rather than simply a computer (in case of some local internet failure). You could make copies of medical records and prescription history, along with a copy of your most recent prescription. Just copy that before you take it to your pharmacy, or ask them for a transcript of which I am sure they would be happy to provide.

None of this matters if the world as we know it comes to an end, but what does that really mean anyway? The world as I know it would end if my house burned down...

 

[Schultz]

The USB drive would be worthless if a EMP bomb was used.

 

[mcdaniel]

The USB drive would be worthless if a EMP bomb was used.

True, but the more likely SHTF situations involve natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornados. Should someone need some verification of identity in that case it would be a great way to carry. If an EMP was used the millions of stalled cars in the country would distract and confue long enough to get home and have your hard copies.

 

[Pops]

Good point on the EMP bomb. As a matter of consideration, there would need to be a functioning computer somewhere to make it work at all.
Of course, if it's digital information it could also be stored on a camera card. there are some very tiny camera cards that hold gigs of data.
No one would even know it was there in a root foldr. good back up.

I guess good old paper printouts still have their value. photo copy the essentials, birth certificates, licenses, diplomas, certifications, etc. If you were to reduce the image to 50% yo could fit 4 documents per page. Make them water proof and have the USB as a back up.

 

[Pops]

Navigation is another crucial point of consideration.
What about maps, compass, notes of safe places? A lot folks have GPS these days and they are great unless the signal is turned off. I imagine the Army has their own GPs signals on frequencies we know nothing about. They could shut down the commercial gps signals and everyone who doesn't have a map of the general area along with a good compass it pretty much screw'ed.
In addition to that if you turn on your cell phone the gps in it will lead others to you. That could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who is looking for you and why.

Where in your imeadiate area is fresh water, food and shelter? People you know that you can trust? These things are all part of the up front research. Finding them as needed could take up a lot of time and energy.
With my luck I'd walk right past the gate of a safe area while looking for some local plant life I thought I could eat. Then I'd end up with a case of the squirts and die from dehydration or perhaps a snake bite. (I'm finally getting to where I can recognize poison ivy. Nasty stuff!)

Knowing the region and having an idea of where to go and how to get there. Yup, I'm screw'ed.

:shock:

 

[C_Carson]

Some great ideas here; definitely going to be making a SHTF pack! I really like the idea about the documentation; never even thought about how important that would be. There's a lot of things I can think of that would be useful to have, like a compass, bug spray, camping supplies for purifying water, small shovel or other tools, but then again, you wouldn't want to risk overloading yourself. What do you guys think?

 

[Dirk Pitt]

I think a lot of it depends on your vehicle. I've got an SUV and I also like to go four wheeling, so I've got a contico box in the back with things like tow straps, ratchet straps, tool kit, MRE's, water, sleeping system, tarp, tarp liner, WD40, duct tape, zip ties, electrical tape, engineering hammer, crowbar, 550 cord, bungee cords, glow sticks, mag light, first aid kit, air compressor, and there may be a few other little things I'm forgetting. But that box is always in the back of my SUV and any time I leave the house I take a back pack with a change of clothes, 1 MRE, 2 liters of water, Oakley M Frames, books, folding knife, multi-tool, surefire flashlight, and a few other odds and ends.

 

[Frost]

Dirk
And Guns...

 

[Dirk Pitt]

But Frost, I abide by all laws required of me by being a California resident :roll: ya right...

 

[Midnight Raver]

He's lucky- he even gets to play with Guvment toys now...

:mrgreen:

 

[C_Carson]

I read an article the other day (don't know how true it is) but this guy (Stansberry Research/Investors or something like that) claims to have predicted the failure of Fannie & Freddie, as well as several other economical and financial problems with our country, and he's now predicting the dollar will become so devalued it will lose its place as the world's reserve currency and in approximately two years we're going to have shortages, riots and other SHTF situations.
He recommends investing in silver as financial survival (and other things he would share for free if you signed up for a trial newsletter) and he seemed to have a lot of convincing research and frightening parelells to european history, but the whole "sign up and I'll send you 4 free books on how to survive this" kind of turned off my belief in his credibility. Although, I wouldn't find it hard at all to believe the first half of the article about society falling apart.

What do you guys think? Are we heading into that scenario and is this guy to be believed? (I'll link the article if anyone wants to read it

 

[Schultz]

What do you guys think? Are we heading into that scenario and is this guy to be believed? (I'll link the article if anyone wants to read it

IMO it's just another so called "Invest in gold or Silver" money grab article. Personally I feel sorry for the folks that jumped into buying gold and silver because they will be hurting when the bubble burst, It's similar to the "Dot com" bust.

 

[C_Carson]

Yeah, the part that didn't make sense is that if the dollar is so worthless, why do they want $50 for a subscription? LOL I believe the only truly valuable currency is going to be ammo and food.

But the part about the dollar becoming worthless, and our nation not having an exports and our society spiraling into chaos within a certain time frame seems...alarmingly possible.

 

[Low Branch]

Gold and silver probably is a bubble, but the commercials are right in that it has never been worth zero. I never did have the money laying around to invest in precious metals, but I did add mining stock to my portfolio last year and that has paid off rather well. The costs of mining have not drastically increased while the profit has gone up and up. I only wish I could predict when that bubble will burst so I can dump the miners before while reaping the benefits...

 

[Midnight Raver]

The only things I can invest in is lint and pet hair...

:cry:

 

[lafayette gregory]

I am more of a hunker down rather than a bug out guy. I am concerned with defending my property, perimeter enforcement, planting and harvesting, keeping warm in the winter. And the one most important element of all, CLEAN water.

 

[Midnight Raver]

I am more of a hunker down rather than a bug out guy. I am concerned with defending my property, perimeter enforcement, planting and harvesting, keeping warm in the winter. And the one most important element of all, CLEAN water.

Best way to operate!