I am prepared gear wise but I could stock up a little more on the food side of things. This is something I've been thinking about more and more as things in this country are getting a little shaky in my opinion.
I have some pretty relevant training as a police officer and former swat team member as far as protecting my family and property. My wife is not one to panic so I think we are mentally prepared as well for emergencies.
One thing to mention is that I personally don't think it is a great idea to let your neighbors know how well stocked you are. This might be okay in a short term difficulty but word could get out that you are stocked and you would turn into the neighborhood Walmart.
One thing to mention is that I personally don't think it is a great idea to let your neighbors know how well stocked you are. This might be okay in a short term difficulty but word could get out that you are stocked and you would turn into the neighborhood Walmart.
Bollocks. Easier to have good neighbors who you share with and know you are prepared to help out in an emergency situation than have neighbors who don't give a crap about helping you because you are secretive and they "think" you're living high on the hog.
If there are 10 people around you, one of whom is a jerk and will take advantage and steal you blind or strongarm you in that situation, would you rather have 9 people who don't give a crap because you're living in isolation, or 9 people who you're collectively helping out who'll stand with you. And don't give me the peace through superior firepower BS either. A good neighbor is more valuable than an AK anyday - Think with your brain. - Yes you might have 8x or 10x less "supplies" for sharing. Frankly, you'll probably not need it - or by the time you did you'd have been robbed blind anyway.
I think it depends on where you live. I live in a tiny friendly town on the edge of a forest with lots of game and I believe we will become a tribal society if the mud hits the fan. In my supplies I have ten boxes of salt to trade with the neighbors, but I keep my supply of toilet paper hidden. Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
One thing to mention is that I personally don't think it is a great idea to let your neighbors know how well stocked you are. This might be okay in a short term difficulty but word could get out that you are stocked and you would turn into the neighborhood Walmart.
Bollocks. Easier to have good neighbors who you share with and know you are prepared to help out in an emergency situation than have neighbors who don't give a crap about helping you because you are secretive and they "think" you're living high on the hog.
If there are 10 people around you, one of whom is a jerk and will take advantage and steal you blind or strongarm you in that situation, would you rather have 9 people who don't give a crap because you're living in isolation, or 9 people who you're collectively helping out who'll stand with you. And don't give me the peace through superior firepower BS either. A good neighbor is more valuable than an AK anyday - Think with your brain. - Yes you might have 8x or 10x less "supplies" for sharing. Frankly, you'll probably not need it - or by the time you did you'd have been robbed blind anyway.
You might be right or I might be right, hopefully we'll never have to find out. I'm just guessing that as a police officer I have slightly more insight into human nature than you, when things go bad. People you trust one day might not be trustworthy when they are running low on food. People talk and soon many that you did not intend to tell will know that you have supplies. Some will come to get them. If you want to kill them with kindness go ahead, I prefer to "Speak softly and carry a big stick." (T.R.) No AK for me either.
I would tend to trust only really close friends or family and that's about it.
You might be right or I might be right, hopefully we'll never have to find out. I'm just guessing that as a police officer I have slightly more insight into human nature than you, when things go bad. People you trust one day might not be trustworthy when they are running low on food. People talk and soon many that you did not intend to tell will know that you have supplies. Some will come to get them. If you want to kill them with kindness go ahead, I prefer to "Speak softly and carry a big stick." (T.R.) No AK for me either.
I would tend to trust only really close friends or family and that's about it.
I think you're mistaking my kindness as being kind to them because I'm a nice guy, as opposed to my real motives. I think people in this situation are generally self centered jerks who will rob their own mother if it suited them - in fact, I'm counting on it. I'm pretty much figuring I'll get robbed blind if I keep it in isolation. I'm counting on safety in numbers and that you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. If I not only carry the big stick, but give 10 others an interest in me not getting messed with, I have 10 people watching my back and helping out. Otherwise I'm going it alone - and shooting 'em only works on the ones dumb enough to come while I'm awake, or noisy enough to wake me up, or not vicious enough to torch the place and pick through the ashes.
I'd share because *I'm* also a self centred jerk. A manipulative self centred jerk who is used to co-opting difficult people.
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
My prediction is that groups, whatever motives might bind them together in cooperation, will last longer than individuals. You can't stay awake indefinitely.
Best to know your neighbors before the event. That doesn't mean you have to give them a guided tour of your stashes.
No question that backpackers are better prepared, especially psychologically, to get through a disaster.
My prediction is that groups, whatever motives might bind them together in cooperation, will last longer than individuals. You can't stay awake indefinitely.
Best to know your neighbors before the event. That doesn't mean you have to give them a guided tour of your stashes.
No question that backpackers are better prepared, especially psychologically, to get through a disaster.
My plan would involve leaving town (in a long term emergency) and staying with family on a nearby farm and possibly moving further out in the same direction to a family ranch that is more isolated with resources. I am not going to be able to count on any of my neighbors for help. My immediate neighbors are generally good people (except 1) but are not the type to hold down the fort as they are not physically capable.
There is no way I would stay in this town as it is full of too many people living off the government. This equals no personal responsibility and no preparation which = anarchy if the gov't fails.
I live in Henderson, Nevada, southern suburb of "Sin City". There are a LOT of bad boys in this town. For that problem I want friends - armed friends.
I have two trusted neighbors who are ex-military but with no firearms of their own. I'd arm them with a shotgun and a .22 semi auto. As well as water treatment gear, of which I have a lot.
I'd keep my big artillery and handguns. We'd form a neighborhood watch if things got to the National Guard/martial law stage. If we were required to vacate our property I'd want them in my "convoy" for mutual aid. Going north out of the 'Vegas valley is the best option, but NOT on I-15, which would be jammed.
Lots of things to consider, but thinking seriously about them beforehand results in a far better experience in an emergency.
BTW, I forgot about this thread agter I posted. It's amazing how many of you responded because you have already considered that your hobby can actually be a lifesaver as well.
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"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."
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