Priorities? (prepping and what to buy next?)
- Thread starter Drinkthekoolaid
- Start date
TEOTWAWKI inc.
.338 Win Mag
Tell your "friend" extra masks, hand sanitizer in multiple sizes, laminated copies of vaccine card in each vehicle/bag, and a non-compliant AK47 with plenty of mags/ammo.
speedkills27
6.5 Creedmoor
Your friend has all the "fun" stuff covered and can always upgrade and improve on that gear, hell every year companies come out with better and newer gear. My "boring" suggestions would be;
*physical fitness and wellness
*Training- tactical, medical, hand to hand, land nav, survival, carpentry, auto/small engine repair, plumbing, sustainable living practices
*Water- filtration and storage
*Food- grow your own food, can and store, and learn how to hunt (if those skills aren't already had)
*Land- a secondary location preferably far away from dense population
Its very easy to be a gear whore (I know because I am one myself) but just having gear isnt enough
*physical fitness and wellness
*Training- tactical, medical, hand to hand, land nav, survival, carpentry, auto/small engine repair, plumbing, sustainable living practices
*Water- filtration and storage
*Food- grow your own food, can and store, and learn how to hunt (if those skills aren't already had)
*Land- a secondary location preferably far away from dense population
Its very easy to be a gear whore (I know because I am one myself) but just having gear isnt enough
I know you say not to focus on food water etc... but I will anyways. Nothing wrong with having lots of guns, but you can only use so many.
Long term stored food will always be useful. Once you have enough guns and maintenance parts, from a functional standpoint extras aren't that beneficial.
Other things I can think of quick:
Powdered bleach.
Land
Solar/power items
Tools and tool supplies (ie. I bet you have a hammer or 4, how many nails do you have?)
Transport to above land.
I'll stop there, but basically think of all the stuff you use on a regular basis throughout your day... now pretend you can't get any more of it at the store and you need to obtain it another way such as farming food, etc.
That will tell you what you need.
Long term stored food will always be useful. Once you have enough guns and maintenance parts, from a functional standpoint extras aren't that beneficial.
Other things I can think of quick:
Powdered bleach.
Land
Solar/power items
Tools and tool supplies (ie. I bet you have a hammer or 4, how many nails do you have?)
Transport to above land.
I'll stop there, but basically think of all the stuff you use on a regular basis throughout your day... now pretend you can't get any more of it at the store and you need to obtain it another way such as farming food, etc.
That will tell you what you need.
I don't know if I would also get a G17 when he already has a G19 (they're close in size) unless he just wants another gun.
Maybe a Ruger 10/22, Mini14, hatchet, camp knife, Binos, canteens, hydration pack, water filter sys, small portable radio, portable solar panel (travel type) ??
Maybe a Ruger 10/22, Mini14, hatchet, camp knife, Binos, canteens, hydration pack, water filter sys, small portable radio, portable solar panel (travel type) ??
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All the great things I learned in the Military, none are forgotten; just takes a bit for me to pull them out of deep storage.
Vapor
.308 Win
This may sound crazy, but what about a bicycle too? Much faster than running, less energy to go farther, etc.
A great idea. All in my family own nice bikes and a decent supply of extra parts for the bikes.
Many people omit this mode of transportation.
knowledge is key. You should have this book at the very least:
The single best guide to SHTF you can read. Not some theoretical nonsense. This is based on real world experience in Argentina when the shit really hit the fan. It's not survivalist nonsense but a book full of practical and actionable lessons. Worth twice the cover price.
My sense is acquiring gear is all well and good but knowing how to use it is even better. That relates to firearms, knives, backup generators, etc...
Amazon.com: The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse: 9789870563457: Fernando "Ferfal" Aguirre: Books
Amazon.com: The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse: 9789870563457: Fernando "Ferfal" Aguirre: Books
www.amazon.com
The single best guide to SHTF you can read. Not some theoretical nonsense. This is based on real world experience in Argentina when the shit really hit the fan. It's not survivalist nonsense but a book full of practical and actionable lessons. Worth twice the cover price.
My sense is acquiring gear is all well and good but knowing how to use it is even better. That relates to firearms, knives, backup generators, etc...
Celt
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Right on here.
And lots of good advice from everyone as well.
Once one has several different guns (and needed ammo) skill building is one of the best things you can do.
The mind is the weapon.
I have very detailed maps of many, many things.
People really have little idea all that is in their area.
Food depots, distribution centers. No clue what is warehoused in their general area. (As well as rich anti-gunners).
I see you've completed a thorough area study
The internet is a wonderful tool. Google maps is awesome.
I go to AAA get free, printed maps, open up google maps and search.
When I have a bunch of places marked on the map, I go for a little stroll and see how the immediate area is set up.
My preps are not only about owning stuff.
96coal449
.308 Win
Something to consider that I didn't notice to be mentioned. Coms radios.
Between your own family and those in your community deemed important to be able to reach when needed.
Lot's of great suggestions in this thread.
Between your own family and those in your community deemed important to be able to reach when needed.
Lot's of great suggestions in this thread.
Vapor
.308 Win
Also comfort things.
Solar panels for charging...for instance, I own the ryobi one + system where I can have a bright light run for 35 hours, or even a fan.
The ability to run a small fridge, fan, or something else may mean a whole heck of a lot on a 90 degree day.
The fan is also useful for blowing heat from a wood fire around.
Just an idea.
Solar panels for charging...for instance, I own the ryobi one + system where I can have a bright light run for 35 hours, or even a fan.
The ability to run a small fridge, fan, or something else may mean a whole heck of a lot on a 90 degree day.
The fan is also useful for blowing heat from a wood fire around.
Just an idea.
I'm personally looking into a jackery 550 or 880 setup
This thread has me thinking I need to diversify where my money is going more than I am right now.
Gas generators are nice and useful. I see them as the preferred option in a short term power failures. But once gas becomes too expensive or unavailable.... Then a solar generator has the advantage.
The ability to make power and own a solar generator power system now is pretty useless as an un needed luxury unless I'm going camping. But in the event of a long power outage it would literally be worth it's weight in gold to be able to have electricity and not need gas or fuel. For a small fridge for food, medicine, insulin, recharge baofeng batteries, recharge AA and AAA batteries, run radios, it could facilitate communication and news. Work on climate control run a fan in the heat, play music. Anything from essentials, recharge electronic devices that you have a virtual prepper library and internet resources, communications to morale for your kids to charge a tablet.
The options are only limited by your imagination
And, of course, one's budget.
I have lists of stuff that I want. Looking for the best deals and sales.
Every time I think I am doing well, more ideas are tossed out and I find myself lacking.
Vapor
.308 Win
We lost power for almost 48 hours in the summer during a bad windstorm. We lost everything in the fridges and freezers. (We have 4)
It was also beastly hot in the bedroom.
Now I have a very small panel, but I really want a system to at the very least run one small fridge and charge my tools/batteries.
I'm realizing that most people would be served fine with a couple .22s and pump shotguns, and a pistol or two. I have...a bit more than that, so there's a lot of other things to expore.
Totally get it. If only budgets weren't a concern and I didn't care about trying to be responsible and stay within my means....
As for firepower, I used to have so much more than I have now. I have decreased the number of firearms and diverted those funds into other items.
As for solar, I am overwhelmed with what is out there. The more that I learn, the more overwhelmed I get.
Totally agree.
The average NY state resident is not highly armed.
I don't have any statistics but just personal observations IMO the majority of gun owners in NY are fudds that might have a couple shotguns or deer rifles and shoot a couple boxes of ammo a year. And that's the majority of gun owners. The average NY citizen isn't a door kicker.
If you are adaquately armed and trained you will be just fine and it might be wise to allocate your limited resources elsewhere to things like body armor, nvg, coms, medical, power generation, food, water etc... Those might pay dividends over the 6th pistol in your safe that you may never actually use in shtf.
Ask yourself what is the likelihood of that item making s difference and what is the potential return on investment.
I've been watching the "city prepper" YouTube channel hrs done a lot of solar videos lately. It's helping me to get the basics.
Look into the jackery 550 system I linked. It's supposed to be able to run a mini fridge. Anything bigger and you will need to step up to something like a 1000 watt system and that starts getting pricey real fast.
spat
.700 Nitro Express
Google sattelite view maps can be downloaded for entire areas for free.
Just saying...
Love me some google satellite.
It's also a great way to find hidden sources of water that you might not have known about. Whether for fishing, hunting, drinking etc ..
I've found ponds near me I didn't know existed
96coal449
.308 Win
Another source for power is from a gen set run off of wood gas. Another process also referred to as pyrolysis, it uses wood as fuel in a reactor. The gasses and smoke, released from the burning, are collected in the reactor and then used as fuel in an internal combustion engine. Ford had a gas engine that was very efficient. It was the 300 ci straight 6. They sometimes mate the industrial version to gen sets large enough to power a big house and more. Downside is it would need to be run in a well insulated, and sound proofed shed to stay discreet. Maybe run the exhaust thru a pair of inline mufflers out the roof too.
Yep, and when the power goes out, no maps.
I have a shit ton saved on drives and two tablets though.
I have a shit ton saved on drives and two tablets though.
96coal449
.308 Win
I often take drives to familiarize myself with my surroundings, lay of the land, waterways and roads. I self navigate without a compass or map. I learned all the state routes long ago. Now it's a matter of connecting the county roads in between.