Steps to Survival

May 29, 2008 · Filed Under Education

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqkECoEEp_Y

Be prepared. It isn’t just the boy scout motto. It is a good idea. If you want to survive the coming hard times, here are a few suggestions.

FOOD STORAGE

First, food storage is critical. Plan on keeping a pantry filled with enough supplies to last you and your family at least a few months, if not a full year. The LDS church has information regarding food storage that may be very helpful. Here is a handy food storage calculator: Food Storage Calculator

Start stocking up essential items, little by little over time, but don’t wait too long. And rotate the supply. In other words, eat and replace as you go, so things don’t go bad. Try to mainly stock up on things your family regularly eats and is at least not opposed to. Also, food with a longer shelf life is better. And in case of power outages, make sure the bulk of your emergency food supply doesn’t require refrigeration. MREs are a good way to go, for at least part of your stocked items.

WATER STORAGE

Water storage will, of course, also be essential. You will probably want to buy several of those clear plastic water containers, here, and fill them now. Also, be sure to store some water purification tablets, here, or available at camping and sporting goods stores, such as Big 5 . Be sure to keep your water supply fresh.

FIRST AID KITS

My next suggestion: put together a couple of medical kits. One larger, well equipped kit and a smaller, travel sized one. Be sure to gather and store extra prescription medicines. Keep all of these supplies together in a handy and organized container, for safekeeping. The American Red Cross has put together, on their website, a list of what you will want to keep in your first aid kit, here. And you can purchase a ready-to-go first aid kit, here

HOME PROTECTION

You will also want to get serious about firearms. If you do not have any, there’s no time like the present. A 12-gauge shotgun, an AK-47 or AR15 (depending on your budget) and a good semi or revolver with stopping power, such as a Glock 40 mm or a Magnum .357 will do you well. While there, don’t forget to load up on ammo. Buy it now since ammo prices are rising, along with everything else. And, if you don’t know how to use these (I didn’t, until recently) you will probably want to look into lessons locally here and also find and join your local shooting range. I have found that many shooting ranges offer special deals for “ladies nights” where on certain nights of the week, women shoot free.

May want to buy gas masks for everyone as well. It can’t hurt to be prepared for anything. Here’s one.

HEATING

A power outage, whether temporary or long term, is always a possibility you need to prepare for. If you aren’t off-grid, and that is the goal, eventually, then you need to at least be prepared for power outages. In many places, this means having a backup heating source. If you have a wood-stove/furnace or a fireplace, these will do nicely. Just remember to collect extra lumber. Take into consideration the density of the wood. The denser the wood, the more BTUs it will deliver. Add a few extra cords just in case. This could make all the difference in your ability to survive an emergency. If you don’t have a fireplace or wood burning stove, another good option would be a kerosene heater. Great for both efficiency and portability, buy a kerosene or propane heater, now and store a good amount of kerosene or propane, up to a 55-gallon drum for kerosene, for extra peace of mind. (You may also want to obtain a battery run carbon monoxide detector here.

COOKING

Don’t forget too, that along with heat during power outages, you will also need an alternative means of cooking your food. Many of you will already have a charcoal barbeque grill. You can turn some of your firewood into charcoal fairly easily. Or, make sure to keep plenty of extra charcoal on hand. Even a Coleman cook stove can be a great backup plan when your stove is unavailable. Don’t forget the fuel. Again, these are available at any camping/sporting goods supply store, and online, and are not only great in a pinch, but also for camping trips, which are a good and fun way to practice some of your “skills” while on vacation.

You may also want to look into kerosene cookers and/or solar ovens. They work better than you’d think.
LET THERE BE LIGHT

First, flashlights. The flashlights that recharge from simply being shaken might make the most sense. Second, candles, matches and lighters (you can never have too many, really) and oil lamps. Third, a backup generator and fuel.

COMMUNICATION

You will want to have a couple of walkie-talkies handy, preferably high quality and with a good range. Also, a battery powered radio, and remember the batteries. There are some flashlight/radio combinations now that are perfect for emergency situations. Keeping one in the home and one in each car is a good idea.

TOILETRIES

Items such as toilet paper and toothpaste may become scarce. These are treasures you most likely will not want to be without and since their shelf life is interminable, might as well make your way down to Costco today. I recommend: tp, shampoo/cond, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, bandaids, floss, disinfectant, tampons, water-free hand wash gel. There’s more of course, but you can go through with your family and make your own personal list.

OPTIONAL AND HIGH DOLLAR BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Those with the means will certainly want to start thinking about buying a cabin, or at least some land, in the woods/remote area. Something not too far away, but far enough away from “civilization” in case civil unrest makes urban and suburban dwelling uncomfortable and/or unsafe. I see this scenario, or something similar, as quite likely. And land, along with housing prices, is coming down, so don’t rule out the possibility of buying a small plot. It is amazing how much food can be raised, even on an acre or less. Google “square foot gardening” for more valuable information on making the most of your property.

USEFUL LINKS FOR MUCH MORE INFORMATION

Towards self sufficiency:

http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781570613777-0 (BUY THIS BOOK!)
http://homesteadingtoday.com/ (a great forum)
http://www.localharvest.org/ (to find local farmers/farmers markets)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/ (a magazine I highly recommend)
http://www.pathtofreedom.com/
http://www.backwoodshome.com/index.html (another incredibly helpful magazine)
http://www.selfsufficientish.com/
http://hollowtop.com/
http://www.eatwild.com/ (find a local grass fed rancher here)
http://www.naturalnews.com/Index.html (natural health news)
http://redpillreich.blogspot.com/ (a blog designed to get you off of “modern medicine”, take the red pill here)