Who is Ready for Fallout?

Thanks for the pump link Stinny !

That sounds like a really smart idea. Until then, I have probably 40 gallons of fresh water on hand at all times because of my aquarium. I do have a 55g plastic mtn dew drum that I should probably convert to drinking water storage. I used to keep premixed salt water in it for my old big reef tank in the basement. A quick rinse with hose water would fix that.

Also, my pressure tank is probably 40 gallons. I could use that too in an emergency as it's always at least 50% full of water even if the power guess out.

I counted ammo rounds tonight. I've got more than I thought. I'll still buy more though. There's some that I won't need to buy maybe ever after inheriting several boxes of those from my dad's stash

Food, we've been filling a box of dry goods/ shelf stable stuff so we're good on that for a while.

 

X2 on the pump link Stinny , definitely checking into that.

 

I have started to invest in better lighting. Security cameras are something I plan to look into next. Growing our own food is something we've been working on.

I double our growing capacity last year. This coming year will be another doubling in the raised gardening.

I know people use large tanks to store water. Does the water go stagnant in the 55-gallon barrels? If so, how frequently do you need to flush the water with fresh water?

 

Put it back in and take shorter strokes!?!

We have a well and generator but also an RV with 55 gallons of water plus pumping capability.

Water should be dumped and filled once per year if it is stored properly and with just enough bleach in it to smell.

Do you folks with security lighting prefer motion activated or dusk to dawn?

 

Security lighting? Solar powered , low on and bright for activity. Plenty of solar powered options out there.

 

We like it dark.
Unless the trespassers have night vision equipment, it gives our dogs and our other defenses a big advantage.
And, there are very few nights that I don't walk outside to view the vast enormity of the universe including a few passing satellites.

 

I do both for lighting. I have a few that have a low setting for dusk to dawn and come on super bright when motion is detected. If you keep the property lit enough that people can find a place to hide, you're fairly safe. The motion detector is a huge plus as someone knows that they've been "caught," or at least they may be if you're paying attention. There are even motion detecting sirens that emit a very loud noise. Most of this stuff is pretty cheap on Amazon.

I also invested in a driveway alarm and a second alarm for my barn. Both are wireless and set off a receiver in the house. Tech is great when you get it all figured out.

 

Water is one thing I don’t have to worry about. I’m lucky enough to be in the land of flowing wells. My well flows about 5 GPM and gets discharged to the lake. In 5 minutes I can bypass that discharge pipe and be set for quite a while.

Chicken of the trees (squirrels, tree rats, whatever you want to call them) outnumber people 50 to 1 around here, so that’s always an option, but I’d bet we have enough food to last for a month before I’d start to worry. Might not like the food we’re eating towards the end, but in a situation where it’s needed, something is better than nothing.

 

For those thinking about starting a " storm shelf":
So its not yet too late to put back a little for a rainy day. A little extra every time one goes out provisioning, is all it takes. Perhaps a lot extra if one can afford it.

55G food grade drums hard to come by these days. For the cost, 5G food.grade buckets (lowes) stack well, are easier to move around and still available. IBC totes can still be had. In either case, a good hand fed gravity filter (think Berkey) will filter rain water as well.

Composting/humanure toilets can save 2 people 540G/quarter. Sponge baths can be done for 1.5G per person per 'bath'. Baby wipes can eliminate showers.

Canned and dehydrated food does not require refrigeration.

Analog gas ranges use a battery to start the stove AND oven. And are generally less expensive. Unique is a good brand. No 120v plug!

Alcohol is easy to use and store, stoves relatively easy to buy or build. Propane lasts forever, but valves tend to go.

Prepping a little beats hunting. 30# of meat canned at home isnt too expensive. Boil the bones for a good bone broth, can that. Thanksgiving isnrightEdible animal populations thinned radically in the early 30's. That and the time away from home might not be the best thing when things get interesting.

In my uneducated opinion, there will always be a faster, better organized, better equipped, larger group, that will eventually overrun household and household groups...even in the boondocks. It is simply a matter of surviving the time between things getting interesting and the restoration of law and order.
Read "one second after" or watch "Jericho" tv series.

Sca

 

I've got 2 deer tags this year.......1 for just my county and 1 for the refuge that is about 3 miles away

 

I suspect that the rural woods will be cleared of everything edible very quickly once the urban/suburban dwellers move out and start hunting and foraging.

 

This. Animal populations don't do well when there are a lot of hungry people.

 

That was a good show....ironic how it's plug suddenly got pulled. Don't know if anyone here watched the walking dead, but i thought it was very thought provoking in terms of events and supplies when something big goes down. Good thinking on the hunting and over harvest of animals. Lot's of stuff to take into account without even getting into the defense of self and propery arena...

Medicines will be a big issue. Otc needs and also the prescriptions, many people don't (or cant due to $ or prescription timing) have backup amounts of prescribed meds. Ive read before about the stocking of fish antibiotics for human use. Anyone else looked into/done this?

 

I can say that it works with dogs...

 

I watched it and really like Jericho. It was unfortunate that it was canceled.

 

Couple weeks ago i ordered up a bunch of stuff. This morning going through the pantry and ordering bulk stuff.
6 people in this house. We go through stuff like beads at Mardi Gras !
Ive been wanting to restock ammo for a year but its difficult in NY as you cant get it shippedhere. Its been almost non existent in stores and gun shops. Im hearing you cant even find hunting rounds.

 

If you have friends in another state can you just have them pick some up and go visit? This has been done before.

 

Nope but i have hope.

 

The days of cheap ammo died in 2019 and most likely will never return. Wait until online ammo sales are banned, ffl needed to purchase, the purchase of a limited amount per month enforced and foreign imports are banned. It will so expensive many will stop shooting sports. For the elmer fudds who sat around saying who cares about 5.56, 7.62 x39, 9mm etc...ammo, all I need is 30-06 for deer hunting, they are about to get a rude awakening.

As far as preparing. Do what you can when you can. Network with friends and like minded neighbors.

 

Went with Mama Bear to her out of town Dr appointment last week. We don't go to bigger towns much, and as rural as Dakotah Territory is we tend to always be stocked because it isn't just a 3 minute run to the store. Thinking about Turkey Day coming up we decided to get that bought and fill in anything else we could think we needed. What we noticed was the surprising empty shelves in the veggie aisle. No canned carrots, no cut green beans, very limited corn, no fresh carrots, almost no onions. The home canning aisle is completely wiped out. All the over the counter cold meds were on the shelf in big bulky clear plastic cases- I'm guessing to prevent 5 finger discount programs. Cleaner aisle had stuff there but very sparse.