Calling all preppers

Fionalein

an old grumpy cat
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
1,818
SL Rez
2017
Tampons are great for nosebleeds and probably gunshot/crossbow/spear wounds or unicorn and narwhal stabs etc.
On Amazon there are some amazing army rations from various countries (Personal favorite is the South Korean rations.. after that the Japanese Maritime defence force curries) Some of which come with self heating bags.

Army ration packs – in pictures
Try computer gaming supplies... self preparing food packs were discovered as marketable to the FPS crew by some weird German marketing genius ...
 
  • 1Interesting
Reactions: Brenda Archer

Archer

Arch Enemy
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
654
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
2007
I pretty much do most of the above. I also keep an emergency bag in the trunk of the car with a subset of that stuff, such as survival knife, portable stove, ss cup for boiling water, several pouches of heatable food, firestarters, first aid kit, etc. And about $50 in small bills. Just in case I need to spend several days walking home.

Also, every time the grocery puts those coffee bricks on sale I stock up. Not only do I NOT want to be out of coffee, but they are good trade items, and the bricks will last for years and years. One other item I think is essential is a stash of cash on hand. I have a fireproof safe I keep it in, in case the credit card system goes belly up for whatever reason.
 

Kara Spengler

Queer OccupyE9 Sluni-Goon, any/all pronouns
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,140
Location
SL: November RL: DC
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
December, 2008
SLU Posts
23289
All I have is a small room in a shared house, so not much space. I try to keep a few days of canned food. It’s high sodium, so I can’t live on it. I don’t have enough room to store water, though that would be a good idea. In the past when the electricity has gone out, I relied on the flashlight on my old iPhone. I’m probably only good for a day. My biggest problem after water will be having my medications bake in the heat, including the insulin. Once I can’t control my blood sugar, I’ll head for the nearest hospital.
Remember you do not need a lot of room ... an interior hallway will do for shelter and you can store water in a tub (although boil it or use tablets on it before drinking).
 
  • 1Thanks
Reactions: Brenda Archer

Kara Spengler

Queer OccupyE9 Sluni-Goon, any/all pronouns
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,140
Location
SL: November RL: DC
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
December, 2008
SLU Posts
23289
Tampons are great for nosebleeds and probably gunshot/crossbow/spear wounds or unicorn and narwhal stabs etc.
On Amazon there are some amazing army rations from various countries (Personal favorite is the South Korean rations.. after that the Japanese Maritime defence force curries) Some of which come with self heating bags.

Army ration packs – in pictures
There are even emergency packs in really small cans. Although I would suggest more supplies than that if you can.
 
  • 1Thanks
Reactions: Brenda Archer

Anya Ristow

I was born a choker
Joined
Sep 23, 2018
Messages
792
SL Rez
2006
Joined SLU
Nov 2007
SLU Posts
2999
So what's your strategy for dealing with the next snow storm, flood or zombie apocalypse?
I have, at times, been prepared for ordinary, civilized society level stuff. During the extended northeast blackout I had water and food to hand out. I have flashlights and batteries and shit. I could make protein powder and oat flour based food to last a month if I needed to. Supplements and fats to make it actually nutritionally complete. Google DIY Soylent.

But at the moment I can't manage to keep daily shit together, let alone be prepared for anything. If I didn't have cats I probably wouldn't bother feeding myself. Just not worth the trouble.

I'm eating DIY Soylent today, because it's all I have in the house. Cats, though, are eating salmon, beef and venison :)

I do have more wound care supplies than most people. And I'm not unarmed.
 

Noodles

☑️
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
3,202
Location
Illinois
SL Rez
2006
Joined SLU
04-28-2010
SLU Posts
6947
In the event of an apocalypse event, my plan is to make it to my work building, which is pretty heavily sealed and may even be a fallout shelter.

At this point, the plan is to starve to death, because there isn't any food in the building aside from a handful of snacks I keep in my desk.
 

Sid

Time for another coffee.
VVO Supporter 🍦🎈👾❤
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,585
I have food and beverages for about a week in case I have to stay in bed/ at home because I'm sick or because of extreme weather conditions.
I make sure I have gas enough in my car to drive at least 100 km before I need to fill her up, always have a fist full of euro bills in cash at home and my bankcards and ID cards in my wallet. And I have a few old fashioned but up to date paper road maps in my car. So in case of a local/regional disaster I can drive into Germany, Belgium or France and make plans from there on what to do next.
And that's about it.

I can't be bothered about war scenarios. I live within two miles of two huge military first strike targets: One of the NATO Headquarters in Europe and a NATO AWACS airbase. So I will only witness the very early stages of such an event. "Hey, was that a rocket ....." THE END.

When the zombies or aliens should come, I just surrender and see what happens next.
 
Last edited:

Kara Spengler

Queer OccupyE9 Sluni-Goon, any/all pronouns
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,140
Location
SL: November RL: DC
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
December, 2008
SLU Posts
23289
I have food and beverages for about a week in case I have to stay in bed/ at home because I'm sick or because of extreme weather conditions.
I make sure I have gas enough in my car to drive at least 100 km before I need to fill her up, always have a fist full of euro bills in cash at home and my bankcards and ID cards in my wallet. And I have a few old fashioned but up to date paper road maps in my car. So in case of a local/regional disaster I can drive into Germany, Belgium or France and make plans from there on what to do next.
And that's about it.

I can't be bothered about war scenarios. I live within two miles of two huge military first strike targets: One of the NATO Headquarters in Europe and a NATO AWACS airbase. So I will only witness the very early stages of such an event. "Hey, was that a rocket ....." THE END.

When the zombies or aliens should come, I just surrender and see what happens next.
Yeah, my ww3 plans basically include a long list of first strike locations that I can walk to. It pretty much makes my disaster planning a bit more realistic as there is no point trying to plan for that sort of situation.
 
  • 2Agree
Reactions: Sid and Brenda Archer

Anya Ristow

I was born a choker
Joined
Sep 23, 2018
Messages
792
SL Rez
2006
Joined SLU
Nov 2007
SLU Posts
2999
At this point, the plan is to starve to death, because there isn't any food in the building aside from a handful of snacks I keep in my desk.
 
  • 1Thanks
Reactions: Brenda Archer

OrinB

tutti fruitti
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
478
Location
UK
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
23 Sept 2009
SLU Posts
4771

Beebo Brink

Climate Apocalypse Alarmist
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
5,488
SL Rez
2006
Among all the accolades for how nutritious and balanced and eco-friendly this Huel may be, there's not a single comment saying "It tastes good, too!" or even "It tastes okay." So yes, apocalypse food only. I wonder what its shelf life is....
 
  • 1Like
Reactions: Kaimi Kyomoon

Brenda Archer

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
Messages
2,135
Location
Arizona
SL Rez
2005
Joined SLU
Sept 2007
SLU Posts
12005
Among all the accolades for how nutritious and balanced and eco-friendly this Huel may be, there's not a single comment saying "It tastes good, too!" or even "It tastes okay." So yes, apocalypse food only. I wonder what its shelf life is....
It’s probably infinity ♾️
The sort of food storage you buy and three months later you say “We really should eat some of the food storage for dinner” and people start calling Dominos, LoL.

I need to find a source for lactose free powdered milk. (Only because I can’t have lactose anymore.) That, plus a whole grain, an oil, and some vegetables could keep someone going for some time. And it’s all convertible to actual recipes.
 
  • 1Like
Reactions: Kaimi Kyomoon

Rose Karuna

Always cooking something up
VVO Supporter 🍦🎈👾❤
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Messages
2,070
Location
Central Florida
SL Rez
2005
Joined SLU
2007
Because I have lived in more than one remote place (back woods of Northern British Columbia), I have learned to stock enough food and fuel so that if we got snowed in and our power went out, we'd have been able to survive. I grew up on a tiny farm (maybe 10 acres) that my great grandmother kept in very thrifty times so I've learned how to cook and store things economically.

I think the two most important thing about being prepared are staying humane and knowing how to do things.

Know the area that you are in and if you had to forage, what you can forage.

Understand the climate, soil conditions and basic gardening so that if you have to garden, you can. Learn how to dehydrate, can and preserve surplus food. Learn how to make beer and wine and even how to distill.

Learn basic building, mechanics and metal work.

Learn how to purify water.

If you can, get your hands on the Army's "Medical Specialist" field manual. If you are ever caught out with someone seriously ill or injured in a disaster where you know you can't get medical attention for several days, it could save a life. Books on how to make pain killers and other medicines from plants and animals. Books about plants and mushrooms that grow in your area with pictures are also very helpful. Books on how to humanely trap and fish and on how to prepare your catch. Books on how to raise chickens, rabbits and goats or other insects, reptiles, amphibians or animals that can sustain you (or alternatively kill you if you eat the wrong one).

I've gone to a lot of "prepper" sites online to see what I could learn and unfortunately, they are more about guns than anything else.

My opinion is that guns are not real security and if you have one, it should be reserved for killing larger game or at very least, as a last defense mechanism. If "security" becomes an issue I think that subterfuge, traps and camouflage are much better tactics. Think bow and arrows and pepper spray (with the right guidance, you can make your own of both).

It's nice to have some creature comforts like a radio, solar lighting and solar panels, a collection of good knives, propane, non-electric kitchen tools, hand powered wood working tools and a reasonable stock of things like medical supplies, coffee, alcohol (the kind you drink), sugar, salt, honey and heritage (non-hybrid) seeds for the garden.

Get to know your neighbors, it could save your lives and maybe theirs. If they're diabetic and you have a generator, put their insulin in your fridge. Bring them items from your garden or better yet, plan your gardens together so that you grow different things and then share. Can and preserve food together. Reach out - help where you can, if you know how to do the right things it won't be "taking food from your families mouth". Learn from and teach each other.

Just my two cents. :coffee:
 

Beebo Brink

Climate Apocalypse Alarmist
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
5,488
SL Rez
2006
I think the two most important thing about being prepared are staying humane and knowing how to do things.
You've pinpointed two of the greatest vulnerabilities of modern life: the weakening of community ties and the loss of basic survival knowledge.

In urban and suburban areas of the country, people no longer form the kind of communities that we needed when living in mostly rural areas. And although it's possible to learn all the skills you described and still live a modern life with a modern career, it would be terribly time-consuming. So much easier to just sit back and watch a tv show than to go practice archery in the hallway of your apartment complex or raise a rabbit on your patio.

Eventually -- for one reason or another -- we'll lose the conveniences of modern life. Maybe just for a few weeks or a few months, but even a few days disruption is difficult for a society that has "moved on" from those skills.
 

Sid

Time for another coffee.
VVO Supporter 🍦🎈👾❤
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,585
That the just in time delivery has reached the supermarket branches isn't helpful either. Literary every single day there are at least half a dozen trucks per supermarket that deliver goods on the other side of my street, where two supermarkets are situated.
If delivery fails one or two days or if people start to hoard, the shelves will be empty in no time. They don't hold extra stock these days. Very little storage room compared to let's say 20 years ago.
 
Last edited:

Kara Spengler

Queer OccupyE9 Sluni-Goon, any/all pronouns
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,140
Location
SL: November RL: DC
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
December, 2008
SLU Posts
23289
It’s probably infinity ♾️
The sort of food storage you buy and three months later you say “We really should eat some of the food storage for dinner” and people start calling Dominos, LoL.

I need to find a source for lactose free powdered milk. (Only because I can’t have lactose anymore.) That, plus a whole grain, an oil, and some vegetables could keep someone going for some time. And it’s all convertible to actual recipes.
Actually, check out the shelf life for some of the non dairy milks. Some of them do not even need to be refrigerated and have long expiration dates. Some powdered soy and nut milks out there too.
 
  • 1Agree
Reactions: Brenda Archer

Kara Spengler

Queer OccupyE9 Sluni-Goon, any/all pronouns
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
6,140
Location
SL: November RL: DC
SL Rez
2007
Joined SLU
December, 2008
SLU Posts
23289
You've pinpointed two of the greatest vulnerabilities of modern life: the weakening of community ties and the loss of basic survival knowledge.

In urban and suburban areas of the country, people no longer form the kind of communities that we needed when living in mostly rural areas. And although it's possible to learn all the skills you described and still live a modern life with a modern career, it would be terribly time-consuming. So much easier to just sit back and watch a tv show than to go practice archery in the hallway of your apartment complex or raise a rabbit on your patio.

Eventually -- for one reason or another -- we'll lose the conveniences of modern life. Maybe just for a few weeks or a few months, but even a few days disruption is difficult for a society that has "moved on" from those skills.
Yes, when I was living in a small town as a kid I learned to be on my best behaviour. If I messed up someone would see and tell my parents. At the same time it was great for being a kid, I could get help (like use a phone) at pretty much any house in town.

Contrast that to living in a city. I rarely have been able to name even one other person on my floor.
 

Rose Karuna

Always cooking something up
VVO Supporter 🍦🎈👾❤
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Messages
2,070
Location
Central Florida
SL Rez
2005
Joined SLU
2007
You've pinpointed two of the greatest vulnerabilities of modern life: the weakening of community ties and the loss of basic survival knowledge.

In urban and suburban areas of the country, people no longer form the kind of communities that we needed when living in mostly rural areas. And although it's possible to learn all the skills you described and still live a modern life with a modern career, it would be terribly time-consuming. So much easier to just sit back and watch a tv show than to go practice archery in the hallway of your apartment complex or raise a rabbit on your patio.

Eventually -- for one reason or another -- we'll lose the conveniences of modern life. Maybe just for a few weeks or a few months, but even a few days disruption is difficult for a society that has "moved on" from those skills.
Community is important also because while you may have knowledge of a lot of things, you can't possibly do it all well. Having community (neighbors and family members) who can do things you can't (or don't do well) can really help survival for everyone. I'm good at gardening and food preparation but I suck at hunting because damn, I'm old, and I sincerely doubt that I could hunt a deer down and haul it from point A to point B.

I can follow instructions in a medical book but it would be a far better outcome for the patient to have a doctor, dentist, veterinarian or nurse in the neighborhood.

Florida, because it's so transient, is particularly bad about having a sense of community.

When I was in Fort Lauderdale I joined a community emergency preparedness group that the city formed. That was helpful in connecting me with other people who were also willing to help others during an emergency in our neighborhood. I'm in a new city now, but once I settle in, I intend to join the same sort of group.

Also a gardening club and of course, a group that raises bees. I'm going to be moving on in age from my 60's to my 70's and there is just no way that I can do what even a 40 year old can. I'm far from helpless but I also know I have limitations. My survival in a disaster situation will depend on my understanding what I can do as well as what I can't and how to compensate for that.
 

Anya Ristow

I was born a choker
Joined
Sep 23, 2018
Messages
792
SL Rez
2006
Joined SLU
Nov 2007
SLU Posts
2999
Among all the accolades for how nutritious and balanced and eco-friendly this Huel may be, there's not a single comment saying "It tastes good, too!" or even "It tastes okay." So yes, apocalypse food only. I wonder what its shelf life is....
I mention it because I actually know a lot about it. For months before I tried it I made my own using oat flour as a carb source, which is what Huel uses. Then I tried Huel for months. It tastes...okay. I think its biggest flavor components are oat and flax, and vanilla if you get the flavored variety. Not horrible, but eating it is more a chore than a meal. The biggest problem is the texture. I don't like thick drinks. The stuff I make for myself I prepare like oatmeal, but Huel was disgusting heated and thick. So I've gone back to my own formula, which I can eat like oatmeal.

I believe the shelf life is "over a year" if unopened. The limitation is probably that it's got fats, including flax, mixed in.
 
Last edited: