Maybe "Prepper Lite"?

[Joe Chartreuse]

Jeepnik's recent posts on another thread brought this to mind. Does anyone here prep even slightly? Before the paranoia sets in, I am not asking for big details or the location of your secret bunker. I am just wonder about peoples emergency preparations. Since I am me, I can decide to give a few of my own details, without specifics.

Because of all the weirdness happening from weather to civil crap, I prep for what I CAN prep for, and don't specifically prep for what I CAN'T prep for.

I CAN prepped for weather emergencies, blackouts, disease and other medical problems, civil unrest, economy crash, maybe some chemical problems, etc...

I CAN'T specifically prep for an asteroid strike, nuclear war ( if one bird flies most others will, so...) or Yellowstone erupting.

I'm a bit hyper, but not a heavy hitter like some. I can't afford to buy a hardened missile silo, ya know...

OK, that's me. But I started out with an EDC bag in the vehicle that includes food, water, clothing, protection, mini med kit and toiletries, blanket and small tent- enough to last a few days. Just to get from here to there. That's it. THIS is really what I am asking about. Call it a bug out bag if you must. Do any of you keep a pre-loaded emergency bag in your vehicle or at easy access? Even if not for emergency, sometimes you have to travel fast. I guess I have to ask: If not, why not?

 

[edm1]

I have one in my truck and another that I travel with when I fly. It has stuff that is useful. Food, clothes, glasses, contac solution, poncho, tea, sewing kit, meds, hand warmers, spoon, water and cup. Fire starters etc. truck bag has stuff I can’t fly with.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

I have accumulated a lot of long term storage food.. beans rice, dehydrated meats and such... I can meat, and butter a lot... but it is mainly due to my lifestyle... I get freight about every 2 months or so in the warmer months in winter I make more frequent trips into town for gas, oil, parts etc....
It is just to expensive and time consuming for me to travel... I buy ahead on most everything... parts for the machines, pants, boots, clothing... I think I have 6 parka's....
Of course I keep my first aid kit filled.. (gauze, duct tape and whiskey).....
We always had a house full of home canned food... a big garden, etc.....
I just think it makes sense, without being considered paranoid about anything... It is the way we used to do things...

 

[Ale-8(1)]

We are "hunkering down" at home, not fleeing to who-knows-where when "it" happens. We are not located in a flood zone or a remote forest fire hazard or near an inner-city ghetto. We have accumulated a goodly supply of non-perishable foodstuffs and toilet paper, and try to stay ahead of our necessary prescription drugs. Somehow over the years we seem to have accumulated enough "survival devices" and the necessary supplies related to them for the rest of our lives. MY truck is an older moder 4x4 with minimal electrical bits subject to external hassles. No, we don't have a thousand-gallon fuel tank for the vehicles, but we do keep the tanks topped off and have a couple five-gallon backups. We occasionally "can" foodstuffs when they are available, but our serious gardening days are behind us. Our water supply is a several-thousand-gallon cistern fed by the gutters.

I wouldn't say we're "preppers" but we're pretty well off for all but extended catastrophe. JMHO

 

[Cholo]

I used to have a minimal survival kit, a roll of Copenhagen and a gross of rubbers.

LOL

 

[protoolman]

I'm into a bit. More like self sufficiency. I have a decent Honda generator, several full gas cans. Kerosene heater, big propane heater. Little buddy heater with several canisters. In other words, northern Minnesota power outage heating kit. Generator will also run the well pump in a pinch. As far as longer term, lots of canned goods etc. variety of vehicles and some gas. Chainsaws, tools, ability to repair most of my own stuff. I'm set more to bug in than out but also have a bug out bag packed with a sidearm and shotgun if it becomes an option.

 

[gunzo]

Yeah, thought about Jeepniks situation & how one should prep for their local. Ya never know. Been semi into prepping for decades. Nothing over the top but common sense stuff all households should consider for their local & the problems it can present.

 

[GunnyGene]

I'm old. I live alone. I'm where I am and not going anywhere. My prepping for anything serious is two .357jhp bullets in my S&W.

 

[gunzo]

Well, it can get to double digits below zero here, so I feel like I have to prepare for a power outage. With that outage or other reasons can stop county water supply, got that. Food shortage & the panic that ensues? got that.
Saving my bacon if the shooting starts? Thinking there's an old 22 rifle or something around here.

That brings up another supply requirement, first aide. and on & on. So much needed to be complete if ya think about it. Or, if ya live on a sustenance farm with livestock & a good water supply, you're halfway there.

 

[contender]

I have never considered myself a "prepper." But as a life long Boy Scout,, I do believe in the motto; "Be Prepared."
When Helene hit us,, we did just fine here because we had all the necessities to survive in comfort.
No power for 8 days,, no cell service for 3 weeks, no internet for about a month, all roads blocked for 3 days & then the one road that opened was not the most convenient to travel on.
So,, with what I keep on hand,, I'm pretty well set up to hunker down & survive if things go bad.

 

[DGW1949]

I keep a little bit of stuff in my truck; A small first aid kit, a few hand tools, flashlight, a loaded double clip pouch, a bottle of water and sometimes a blanket in cold weather.....There's always a couple of weeks worth of groceries around here at home. Plus, we most always have an unopened case of Ozarka water on rotation, a few (emergency) cans of spam, canned chicken, and corned beef hash, Then there's the 2 pounds each of dried beans and white rice stored in an old ammo can...All together, enough to hold us a while without worry setting in if something was to happen....Got a storm shelter built in the side of a hill over toward the side of the house too, in case of a tornado was to pass by close....Nothing special, purty-much just standard stuff that a lot of us old folks do.

DGW

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

We are "hunkering down" at home, not fleeing to who-knows-where when "it" happens. We are not located in a flood zone or a remote forest fire hazard or near an inner-city ghetto. We have accumulated a goodly supply of non-perishable foodstuffs and toilet paper, and try to stay ahead of our necessary prescription drugs. Somehow over the years we seem to have accumulated enough "survival devices" and the necessary supplies related to them for the rest of our lives. MY truck is an older moder 4x4 with minimal electrical bits subject to external hassles. No, we don't have a thousand-gallon fuel tank for the vehicles, but we do keep the tanks topped off and have a couple five-gallon backups. We occasionally "can" foodstuffs when they are available, but our serious gardening days are behind us. Our water supply is a several-thousand-gallon cistern fed by the gutters.

I wouldn't say we're "preppers" but we're pretty well off for all but extended catastrophe. JMHO

I will say that you and I have a LOT in common, right down to the vehicle. Good going.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I'm old. I live alone. I'm where I am and not going anywhere. My prepping for anything serious is two .357jhp bullets in my S&W.

OK, so thoughts on a small camp stove, sterno or similar fueled, a little water and some freeze dried food? Old and live a lone? My med kit has already saved my life twice. Not big bucks. If you own a single family house you can get a little 1000w generator for under $100 at harbor freight. During Sandy that's all I had. Ran my gas hot water furnace ( just a spark to ignite gas) fridge and chest freezer ( they only come on to maintain temp, not all the time), broadcast (antenna) TV, some LED light bulbs and a fan. ONE GALLON of gas for 8 hours. Just some thoughts.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Well, it can get to double digits below zero here, so I feel like I have to prepare for a power outage. With that outage or other reasons can stop county water supply, got that. Food shortage & the panic that ensues? got that.
Saving my bacon if the shooting starts? Thinking there's an old 22 rifle or something around here.

That brings up another supply requirement, first aide. and on & on. So much needed to be complete if ya think about it. Or, if ya live on a sustenance farm with livestock & a good water supply, you're halfway there.

See my answer to Ale-8. No big bucks, but lifesavers- especially in the cold. I would add maybe "little buddy" propane heater on top in your area.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I keep a little bit of stuff in my truck; A small first aid kit, a few hand tools, flashlight, a loaded double clip pouch, a bottle of water and sometimes a blanket in cold weather.....There's always a couple of weeks worth of groceries around here at home. Plus, we most always have an unopened case of Ozarka water on rotation, a few (emergency) cans of spam, canned chicken, and corned beef hash, Then there's the 2 pounds each of dried beans and white rice stored in an old ammo can...All together, enough to hold us a while without worry setting in if something was to happen....Got a storm shelter built in the side of a hill over toward the side of the house too, in case of a tornado was to pass by close....Nothing special, purty-much just standard stuff that a lot of us old folks do.

DGW

Maybe a quick add-on for the truck in a tool box. I have a small tool box with a 400 watt (cost around $27) solar panel attached to the top- and it comes with a controller. I run the wire into the box where there is a small 75 amp hour AGM *( PASS on the lithium battery- I used to manage a company that made them) deep cycle battery attached to controller, a small 800w inverter for AC, and a 12vdc clip on socket. It'll run tools, lights and other things. Since I collect oil lamps, I would urge you to buy a few for the house. Why? Battery lamps are fine, but oil will burn longer, though the light is lower.

 

[Mobuck]

I wouldn't call myself a 'prepper' but I do make every effort to be prepared. Food supplies, auxiliary generator (actually 3 f them), well maintained fuel supply, potable water well, enough property to grow food/hunt game/maintain security perimeter.
Full on 'preppers' often draw attention to themselves and become targets for post apocalyptic foragers. My tactic is: If someone comes for my stuff, I'll still have my stuff and whatever the other guy brought with him.

 

[Johnnu2]

In keeping with my minimalist life-philosophy, I prep nothing more than a dozen bagels in the freezer. I'm 81 so far, so good......... I'm expecting another 20 worry-free years.
J.

 

[ole442]

I’m prepared! Enough “stuff “ for the wife and I for at least a year! I’m old enough to where I’ll just stay where I am and deal with it! Water is a concern! I have two 55 gallon drums in storage and water purification devices! Bugging out is not appealing to me! Every town, bridge & intersection is a possible conflict! I figure we’d only need to survive the first month or two and the odds would get better! If you live in the country, your odds are much better! I don’t live in the country! I hope we all never have to deal with this!

 

[gunzo]

See my answer to Ale-8. No big bucks, but lifesavers- especially in the cold. I would add maybe "little buddy" propane heater on top in your area.

Oh yeah. I have a big buddy & others including ventless gas logs in the basement. I don't camp anymore but didn't sell the Coleman stoves. Have made coffee on the back porch during power outages. Coffee is maybe luxury during a power outage but it was good & that stove would work just as well for boiling op a bouillon broth when pickings get slim.

I suppose some equate prepping with the doomsday stuff seen on TV or the movies. I see it as simply being prepared for things that have or will happen around here. The Doomsday stuff ain't for me. Doubt I'd go that big if I became wealthy.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I wouldn't call myself a 'prepper' but I do make every effort to be prepared. Food supplies, auxiliary generator (actually 3 f them), well maintained fuel supply, potable water well, enough property to grow food/hunt game/maintain security perimeter.
Full on 'preppers' often draw attention to themselves and become targets for post apocalyptic foragers. My tactic is: If someone comes for my stuff, I'll still have my stuff and whatever the other guy brought with him.

That's why I use the term prepper lite. I have what I have, but locals would never find most of it. I don't do the whole steel shutters and bunker stuff. For me it's just about stuff that happens all the time anyway.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Oh yeah. I have a big buddy & others including ventless gas logs in the basement. I don't camp anymore but didn't sell the Coleman stoves. Have made coffee on the back porch during power outages. Coffee is maybe luxury during a power outage but it was good & that stove would work just as well for boiling op a bouillon broth when pickings get slim.

I suppose some equate prepping with the doomsday stuff seen on TV or the movies. I see it as simply being prepared for things that have or will happen around here. The Doomsday stuff ain't for me. Doubt I'd go that big if I became wealthy.

You said it more clearly than I did. Spot on for me as well. A fire heated percolator is a must. ;-)

 

[RoninPA]

I have stuff in the truck to get me (and wife if with me) home safely. Home we have stuff to take care of us for a couple weeks plus I know how to hunt, fish, grow my own crops and pump water without electricity (if it came to that). I am not what a lot of people would describe as a "prepper", but I think I am able take care of myself and my household if necessary.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

on prepping and oil lamps.... I'm using 2 lamps right now.. the glass hurricane style.... I lost a battery to old age and it powered my L.E.D and low wattage lights...
It will be about a month before I can get a new battery.... I have found that lamps burn diesel pretty well.... it smokes more easily so you have to adjust the wick a bit.. buts it's about $3.5 a gallon where kerosene was running about $55 for a 2.5 gallon jug....
It may not put out the same amount of light but it's more than worth it to me....

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

on prepping and oil lamps.... I'm using 2 lamps right now.. the glass hurricane style.... I lost a battery to old age and it powered my L.E.D and low wattage lights...
It will be about a month before I can get a new battery.... I have found that lamps burn diesel pretty well.... it smokes more easily so you have to adjust the wick a bit.. buts it's about $3.5 a gallon where kerosene was running about $55 for a 2.5 gallon jug....
It may not put out the same amount of light but it's more than worth it to me....

Good idea. Personally, I can't take the diesel smell because I have more lamps, so have to lay out even more money- for paraffin lamp oil. Burns forever though.

 

[Fox Mike]

Pantry is stocked, as is the freezer. Lot of TP on hand. Case and a half of MREs. Whole house generator. Almost forgot...lots of ammo if anything should get 'ugly'.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Pantry is stocked, as is the freezer. Lot of TP on hand. Case and a half of MREs. Whole house generator. Almost forgot...lots of ammo if anything should get 'ugly'.

Now yer talkin'...... Throw in a good med kit maybe?

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

Joe Chartreuse: (Good idea. Personally, I can't take the diesel smell because I have more lamps, so have to lay out even more money- for paraffin lamp oil. Burns forever though.)

Funny..... but I don't smell any diesel when it's burning... I can fer sure smell it when I'm refilling the lamps...... maybe I'm just used to it....

 

[blume357]

I think most lamps like that were actually designed to burn diesel.... we have two ship's lanterns, both made in Germany, and I'm sure they were made to do this... and yes they will smoke a bit if not kept a watch on... but the one that is meant to be an anchor light will go for 12 hours or more. Now that I think about it, I had to rent a diesel excavator 2 months ago to dig the footing for our front porch extension and the dry well hole and had to go buy some diesel fuel for it and I have about a gallon left and now I know what I can do with it.

As for the original question.. I like Contender try to be prepared but you never know if you are until you need to be then you figure out how to use what you got... One of my latest 'philosophies' is; the plan will change as soon as the enemy is engaged.

 

[krw]

One thing to prep for short term period. Hurricane's, Ice, Flood's etc. but long term 'Prepper's idea of maintaining a position against hungry people is totally different. They would just burn you out. They wouldn't get it and you would no longer hav it.

 

[blume357]

A philosophy I've had for a very long time is if I have to fight I might lose in the end but I will make whom ever I'm fighting still wish they had never started it. I figured this out back when I was young and would be at a pool and a guy or some guys decide to throw you in ... just take them with you.