This is an Open Thread, but I would like to make it an Open Thread with a cause. Please share any survival ideas you have, or have heard about.
I’m fully expecting hyper-inflation to kick-in by the end of this year, then by this time next year we will be paying $20 dollars for a gallon of Milk. Now you know why I’m a little worried. Below is one of my ideas…
If you have the ammo to spare, find time to do some target shooting at least once a month. Knowing how to handle a firearm, and handle it well, can keep you and your family alive.
For inspiration, I strongly urge you to watch and listen very carefully to what this man has to say. This should be mandatory viewing for all liberals that still call themselves American.
Gio-
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All but two of my guns are sighted in. One’s a .22 cal. and the other one is my AR-15. I lent it to my brother and I don’t know if he messed with the rear elevation knob. I’m gonna have to take her to the range soon and put a few hundred rounds through her and get her sighted in out to 200 yds with open sights. Maybe next weekend.
I’m praying for a bloody miracle as part of my survival gear.
Grow your own vegetables if you have room for a garden. Can or freeze them. Prices on groceries are increasing each week, and it’s going to get much worse. I would also advise keeping some cash on hand for emergencies. Our home defense is always armed and ready. These are such uncertain times and we must be prepared for the worst even though we are also praying for a miracle. God help us all.
Something else to keep in mind. Food processors and Drink bottlers (alcohol and or soft drinks) owe one marketing guy a few billion dollars. You know those expiration dates “Best used by…”, well for the most part you can ignore them. They were a marketing idea and had very little to do with safety. It wasn’t until this idea had been used as a marketing tool that the FDA picked up on the idea. Of course the FDA argues that, but they are lying.
Anyway, most canned foods can last up to 5 years as long as the can has not been damaged in any way. Pasta and noodles can be kept for a very long time but they need to be sealed in one of those heat and seal type bags. If you don’t do this, you end up with crunchy little bugs showing up in your noodles. Slowly transition away from things that have to be kept in a freezer, or even a fridge. If things get really bad, don’t expect much from electricity or any other services.
Eventually we should write down all the ideas that come in, in some sort of order. That way we can all print out a checklist to refer to.
Gio-
I’m stocking up on my eye contacts (need to make sure I can see my target!), saline solution, personal drugs (legal kind only), ammo, cash, batteries, tp, flash lights, firewood, and water (just to name a few).
Along with dry/canned goods for yourself, don’t forget canned/dry food and medicines for your pets as well. I’ve got about 60 cans of pet food already in my cupboards. I’m going to need my pets to alert me when the brown shirts arrive!
I’m gonna need my pets to eat the brownshirts when they arrive!
Gio-
LOL. You must have some ferocious pets!
I have a Saber-Tooth Hamster!
Gio-
All this is just DEPRESSING….
In the meanwhile, Obama’s personal movement, Organizing for America, began its door-to-door drive in California for “pledges” in support of The One.
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-19-2009/0004991844&EDATE=
I heard about this BS and was expecting a knock on my door today. Fortunately, I’ve been out most of the day. So you gonna open the door when they come calling Eowyn? I’m afraid if I do and give them my opinion, I’m going straight to “The List” (if I’m not already on it).
If they come to my door, I’ll call the police!
Eowyn,
What?
Here’s a teachable moment and your gonna call the cops?
Never mind, I was just kidding. Trying to teach these folks is probably a huge waste of time. Their brainwashing has been thourough and complete.
My reaction would have been slightly different if they had come to my door. They would be able to identify my tonsils from me screaming in their face to get the hell off my property.
Gio-
Eowyn,
It is exactly because of Orgs just like these that I feel our country is about to go through the second bloodiest time in it’s history.
Just imagine what would be in the news for the next 6 months if the same thing had been tried when Bush was our president. People (the left) would be wanting rivers ofblood!
Gio-
I highly recommend a book called “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse” by James Wesley Rawles. Its a novel that presents a lot of survival tips and philosophies.
The other night I started assembling my bug out bag. I ordered a nice camo backpack with a light internal frame and I can strap a rifle or bow to the exterior. I’m getting a 4 lb 2 season tent, a Gerber infantry knife and a bunch of freeze-dried meals. Eventually I will add a water-bladder, a water filtration system, cooking utensils and probably a lightweight stove as well as sundry camping supplies. I also ordered some SAS manuals on survival and combat and the like.
I saw a nice single-shot composite (light) .223 rifle down at the sporting goods store-I’m probably going to get it. One advantage is it could probably survive the first couple of brackets in Obama’s gun grabber tournament. Also not a lot to go wrong. I’d like to get a .22 revolver because ammo is cheap and available and they also chamber .22 mags. I’d also like to get a solar charger for my ipod so that civilization in the form of good music and Rush Limbaugh podcasts can survive the new dark age.
The wife and I are headed to Tennessee next week-she has an interview in the Nashville area. We will probably end up in an RV this summer if we move but I plan on buying something ASAP. I just want a small farmhouse with some pasture and woods around it and a pond, creek or spring. I did see some solar water pumps and such but axillary water is a must. I want to buy heirloom seeds including grains if possibe and plant fruit trees, get some pigs, sheep and chickens. I frankly wouldn’t mind going back to near feudal times if those NWO Rockafeller-Rothschild assholes didn’t want to chip me like a dog.
If anyone wants me to lay down drop-zones and pop smoke in Tennessee let me know lol.
If things go to hell in a hand basket fast, being in TN is a good idea. You will find quite a few people there that are willing to fight against tyranny. And when push comes to shove, you want a few country boys on your side. They KNOW how to survive!
I have to admit to having some advantages where I live. Living in the Blue Ridge mountains is definately an advantage because of the terrain, and my knowledge of all the old mines left over from the Mica mining days. Not only are there are thousands of mines to hide in, but I also know of about 200 natural caves to hold up in an emergency.
Good lord I hope it doesn’t all come to this!
Gio-
Gio-
Gio-
Sadly, it has come to this. “Free” American citizens, forced to network and plan for an eventual need for their own SURVIVAL. My heart hurts. Several of us that are regulars to this blog, make a consistent effort to soften our posts with humor. There is just no humor attached to this subject. Ironically, any humor attempted when discussing this subject would have to be classified as “survival humor” which is employed as a defense mechanism against the very real stresses attached to the subject and the circumstances to which they are attached.
To make a satisfactory plan for “Survival”, fore-knowlege of an event or set of circumstances is required. We don’t know, nor can we know, what is in store for us. From Obama…to Iran…to North Korea…to China…to Russia…to who knows? Unless true freedom-loving Americans come together and reclaim our country, our future is completely unsure.
I have various types of training but am in no way an expert in the areas of survival, theology or human psychology. The following are just the thoughts and opinions of a regular American.
I think our best use of “preparedness” is three-fold and each part will be necessary for the other to be truly successful:
1. Strong faith in God
We must remember that we could never comprehend His plan but that it IS truly best for us. He will never give us more than we can handle. If you are not a believer, you will find that as a Human being, you will need a “Higher Power” as part of your belief structure…or you are destined to fail.
2. Network and get involved
We need to connect with and surround ourselves with a network of like-minded people who can and will serve as a trusted support network, not only for physical resources but also for the emotional encouragement that will be necessary. There are countless resources available to assist in personal survival preparation. The library, bookstores and especially the internet, all have an endless supply of information available for those who want to to everything from pack a 72 hour “bug-out-bag”, to build and stock a 5-year disaster shelter. The positive side of the “preparedness” websites, is that many of them have some type of social networking component that will allow you to meet people who think like you and who are just as concerned about the situation as you are. Look around and read-read-read. Some of the sites I have visited are packed full of psychos that you would not necessarily want as part of your survival network, while some of the sites were immediately bookmarked for future use. The concept of, “There is strength in numbers”, is very real and is a powerful tool.
The “Get involved” part of the plan is one of the most powerful and potentially effective tools we have available to us. Write and call your law-makers. Volunteer your time working for a candidate that represents your ideals and views. Post a blog or start a website that gets your voice out there. Join the NRA and other organizations that work to protect your rights and your freedom. If we get engaged in our own government and use our strength as a group, there is still a chance to reverse the direction in which our country is moving and dramatically reduce the possibility that we would need to implement the third part of our “Survival” plan.
3. Logistic, Tactics and Physical Resources
There is no way for me to do this part of the plan for you. Each person, family, group or community has a different set of circumstances. Your geographic location; Your available financial resources; Your educational and targeted training resources. (survival-related skillsets); Your cultural and religious background; Your primary, secondary and extended family resources; Your extended electronic network resources (such as our family here at Gio’s) and even your personal psychological framework, such as confidence or ability to function under stress. These are all just parts of an overall whole that makes up your own individual dynamic. Each plan will be different based upon these and other factors.
There will, however, be parts of your plan that is the same or at least similar to everone else’s plan.
First, at least for me, is protection. This will be a sad necessity in a world where there has been a need for a survival plan to put into action. Decide if you are one who is comfortable with a firearm. If you are not…then BECOME comfortable with one. Have a friend take you to the range. You can rent just about any type of handgun and practice with it. Take a class. They are available in virtually every state. Get yourself comfortable, confident and competent with your weapons, whatever they are. Once you are ready, get yourself something. If you have the financial resources, you will want, in my opinion, a handgun and a shot gun and all of the associated ammunition you can afford. If possible, a rifle may also be good to have, again depending upon where you are located. Some people like to include a compound bow and/or crossbow with necessary arrows and accessories.
You will decide where you will be. Will you move or dig in at home? You will need to attempt to decide when to leave if you will be doing so. Too soon and you could lose in many ways…too late and you could lose everything. This decision will be based on various aspect of your personal situation.
If you plan to dig-in, then it’s never too early to start. This is where your reading will come in handy. Use your new on-line knowledge to begin gathering resources and preparing your home. There are various and relatively inexpensive things you can do to increase the physical security of your house.
You can stock a serious “pantry” with dry-goods and canned foods. Two-for-one coupons are good for this. You can also plant some food items inside as well as outside.
Firewood, gasoline, heating oil, propane, matches, Soaps, toiletries, vitamins, medicines and first-aid, batteries, flashlights and lanterns, fishing, hunting and camping gear, pet food and supplies, solar battery-chargers and generators, solar or wind-up radio, walkie-talkies, the list goes on and on and completely depends upon your situation.
You will want to make arrangements for water and learn how to get multiple uses out of a single amount. You may need to think about heating or cooling yourself, depending upon location and time of year. Your clothing choices will also be influenced by these factors.
There are countless lists available that are virtual shopping-lists of things you may need and/or want.
I pray that as an American citizen, I will never experience the need to put my survival plan into action…but you can believe me when I tell you that if it comes down to it…I WILL SURVIVE and I WILL FIGHT FOR MY FREEDOM.
Sorry for the novelette folks.
Thanks for listening to me vent.
-B
Boo,
I enjoyed the novelette.
#1. Strong faith in God… is a given for me. Unfortunately, there will be others that want to survive that just don’t see religion as having a place in survival. Having to survive under the type of conditions we imagine may change their minds quickly!
#2. Network and get involved… is also a given. However I see two large problems with networking. First, who do you trust these days? Second, if the shit was to hit the fan, I’m expecting the most popular methods of communicating will be the first things to STOP working. The enemy does NOT want us communicating. There needs to be one standardized method of communicating when the normal lines of communication are cut off. My only suggestion, due to ignorance in this area, is Two Way Radios.
#3. Logistic, Tactics and Physical Resources… this is something we need to be doing right now. Some as a group and some as individuals. Here’s an idea that I am going to try out this coming week. The mountain road I live on is not quite a mile long once you turn off the main road. All my neighbors (total of 8) on this road are Old Timers, or what you might consider Natives. I am the only outsider living on this mountain, but I have been here now for 20 years and they have finally accepted me as one of them. My neighbors are some of the best armed group of folks I have ever run across. I have a few handy dandy weapons, but mine are mere toys compared to what some of my neighbors have. With what they have combined, we could defend this mountain for a couple of years. Anyway, what I was trying to get to was this… I went to all of my neighbors earlier today and asked if we could have a community meeting. Everyone said yes. We will hold this meeting in our stables because it offers quite a bit of room. Everyone knows the topic, and not so much as one of the people hestitated.
Now that I got my neighbors to come together in defense of our small peice of the planet, I had better come up with something to say.
What worries me is the rest of the country. I’m in a good situation as far as personal protection is concerned, but most people live in much denser communities. How do we help them protect themselves?
Gio-
Gio-
I agree…Those that do not believe will either learn quickly or they are destined to fail.
However I see two large problems with networking. First, who do you trust these days? Second, if the shit was to hit the fan, I’m expecting the most popular methods of communicating will be the first things to STOP working.
Actually, the these areas come before the plan is ever implemented. The “Get Involved’ part will helpfully lead to complpete or reduced avoidance of the need to go to the third part. While we are involved, the “networking” part helps in the planning as communications will be difficult if not impossible after an event has happened.
I love the fact that you have rallied your neighbors. It sound as if you are perfectly located and have a well suited and well armed group around you. I am half tempted to pack up and become your neighbor. Don’t worry about what to say…You are quite sharp, a solid patriot and a good leader. They are lucky to have you. Hell, I am half tempted to pack up and become your neighbor.
Let us know how the meeting goes.
-B
Boo, thanks for your thoughts and advice. Until I found Gio’s blog, I thought I was the only one being paranoid. Reading everyone’s input, including Gio’s experience today with the stocking up on food at the store, I realize that there are many more among us who feel the same way. No longer paranoid, I am in full survival mode. Your advice for personal protection is one I would highly recommend. I did this in November with support from some male friends and think it is the best investment I’ve ever made.
I pray as well that we never have to experience what we fear may happen.
Geeeez,
I just read my last post, and it is evident that I need more beer or more sleep. I’m sorry about the repetative gibberish. I think I need to just turn it off and go nite-nite.
God Bless
-B
Great comments-people! I guess what truly separates us from other more liberal folks is that that the flood is coming and we ain’t waiting on school buses to take us to Houston!
It all comes down to self-reliance or collectivism. I don’t want to be like the Jews, fleeing in the night with unleavened bread. I’m going to fight the enemy on the ground of MY choosing, like Hannibal or Robert E Lee.
I just watched a Gary Cooper movie tonight called “Freindly Persuasion”. Its long but its pretty good and it deals with the balance between pacifism and defending yourself and your family. One interpretation of the movie could be that dancing leads to killing rebels but that may just be the 8 years of fundie Baptist school I had to endure lol.
Wow. First, I hope you guys (and gals) are wrong about this. Second, I fear you are right. The Obama admin is printing money like crazy and that, along with his ideas, is not good. I am pretty scared because: I am alone, I am not real healthy, I don’t have a large amount of cash, and I fear I will not survive a depression. I can stock up on food, but I don’t see how I could keep food (and water) that would last 5 plus years, not to mention the oil I would need for heat. Being armed might thwart thieves, but it will not stop a government backed effort to ’round up’ people/assets/weapons.
I wish I lived on your mountain Gio, it sounds like you are surrounded by good people. I am surrounded by Obama supporters. I would recommend you get some inexpensive CB radios or shortwave transmitters if you want standby communication with your neighbors.
Growing gardens and canning own vegetables/fruit. Tin cans in store will last longer, check expiration dates. stock up on canned meats, milk and such. Buy flour but keep it in the FREEZER. It prevents meal eggs from hatching in long term storage.
Get a vacuum sealer and buy bulk meats. Divide up meats and freeze. they will last longer vacuum sealed. To get the most out of fresh veggies get either green bags or the tupperware with mineral coating to absorb the gasses given off by fresh veg and fruits.
Your clothing will also have to go further. Get some sewing books, a basic sewing machine and material. Learn shoe repair as well.
The old way will be the new way again!!! Expect to see the return of dance halls. People will not be able to afford going out to concerts, movies, ect but will also be getting sick of staying home. They will want to go out to community sponsored events. Expect to see people dressing up more and looking so much like slobs. This is because dressing up makes you feel better and in a depression people are depressed. Expect higher crime rates, higher unemployment leads to higher crime rates.
We will see a massive amount of empty retail space soon. But the death of the major retail will mean a return to main street. People will be looking for local specialty shops. Local shoes stores, local clothing stores, local butcher, local auto stores, local bakers, local hardware stores.
There will be a shift from cheap and fast to high quality. If you open a cafe make it best cafe under the sun. The reason Obama’s plans will fail no matter what he does is because there is a fundamental attitude shift in the USA. People are sick of everything being made in china, cheap junk, fast foods, hurry, hurry, hurry. Expect society to SLOW down.
People will be eating at home, packing lunches, spending more time with family and friends. Also expect to see families condensing into one large home. People won’t be able to make mortgages. Housing market will shrink. (We will also see homeless living in unsold abandoned homes.) expect too see a return of large families living together.
The whole dynamic is about to change. Attitudes are changing from self to family, firnds and communities. Everything is about to change.
I do expect too see more volunteering but not because of Obama or congress but because people will do the right things and help each other instead of going to a Fema camps and waiting for government to save them. I expect too see massive upheaval towards the government and not even a terrorist attack will stop the upheaval to unite this country under Obama.
A new wave is starting. A wave of getting back to basics and that includes politics. The bail-outs were over the line for most people. This back to basics will carry further and people will looking for leaders who understand that government is the problem, not the solution.
Need some help folks, never owned a gun before (never had to until MR Hope and change cropped up so I have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to get your gun license. (not worried about criminal records I don’t have one)
2. Which guns (hand held and long guns) would you suggest for a beginner but still good enough to stop someone.
3. This is for Gio or anyone else who lives in NC what are the rules for defending property in NC? As in how far can someone (intruder) can go on your property before you would be allowed to threaten them with the use of your weapon or use lethal force to defend yourself?
I know #3 is a no brainer but I have to ask anyway.
Will, At a the very least get a 12 gauge shotgun. I have one with pistol grips made by Mossberg and was less then 200 bucks. With a shotgun it’s kinda like horseshoes and handgranades, ….close enough is usually good enough, and the pistol grip makes it that much easier to manuver in tight quarters. Obtaining one should be no problem, other then supply of store. Pistol laws should be easy enough to look up on internet. Usually you can apply for a permit just to own which is pretty easy or a concealed which is a little more diffacult. In Fla where I am, as long as no Felony, or demostic violence and no mental hospitalization, you take a 4 hr class and send finger prints and they hand them to any one here. I’m sure Gio can help you more on the particulars, but you should go for concealed and get at least a 9MM. You have to go to store and feel them for how they would be as a carry, as some are quite large and cumbersome. I have a Taurus Arms 9MM which is quite compact and fits in my waist band holster or small of my back quite nicley. If it’s just for home maybe a little more stopping power like a 45 cal. Little decisions, but you really need to arm up……as I know we may never have thought this day was coming and may God hear us that maybe it won’t, buuuuutttttt, just in case…….I’d rather be a boy scout on this one, then not…
Steve
Thanks Sjanus11. I would like to tell everyone on how bad I think this whole situation is. My brother who was never a gun fan told me he was thinking about getting his permit and a weapon also.
I wonder how the folks who voted for Obama when he promised not to take away their guns feel now?
Will,
Steve gave you sound advice. For a beginner, a Mossberg 12 Gauge shotgun is perfect and IMHO, may actually be the best possible home-protection weapon. Not only is it very simple to operate, it makes possibly the most recognizable sound in the world when a shell is racked into the chamber. Often, just the sound is sufficient to make a bad guy change his mind.
Long guns are typically not your first selection for home-protection mainly due to what I call power vs. proximity. You must remember that there is often a lovedone in the home with you and a missed shot or through and through may penetrate walls and hit an innocent person. As you live alone, the same applies to neighbors who live in close proximity to your home.
After the 12 Gauge, I recommend a medium to large calliber, compact frame hand gun. This will give you good knock-down with less penetration than a long-gun reducing proximity issues. BUT…remember that a loaded .22 is better than an empty bazooka.
Whatever you choose to get…spend time getting to know it. Learn how to strip, clean and reassemble it. Learn to use it. Dry-fire practice costs nothing and WILL actually make you a better shot. Living alone, you have the luxury of leaving your weapons in a combat-ready condition as well as not always having to secure them away from kids.
If you get a shotgun and a handgun, determine where the shotgun will be kept and keep the handgun on your person as convenient. Make a plan and practice getting to your backup weapons and ammunition…Do this at different times of the day as well as in different lighting conditions.
Anyway…I am beginning to ramble and this information is infinate. Just remember to dry-fire-practice and become one with your gun. Confidence and competence with your weapons WILL greatly increase your chances in a life threatening situation.
I have included a link to a downloadable .pdf file that covers the North Carolina Gun Laws.
God Bless
-B
Thanks Booyah, every bit helps and the link is exactly what I need
Thanks!
Yooooou Betcha!
One thing also……..stock up on lots and lots of water. And get some water purification tablets. You can go longer without food then water. If the shit does hit the fan. Put a small bead of clear sillacone around your drain stop and fill your tubs with water also. ……………Steve
Here’s another great Thomas Paine video:
Well worth watching!
lmm….
THANK YOU!
A must to pass on…and I will!
Gosh. I’m gone for a couple of days and you guys are hiding out in the root cellar and filling bathtubs and wearing cammies.
My wife wants to give her pump action 12 gauge shotgun back to her Dad. I’ve been trying like hell to stop her. I don’t live in the hills and am too far away from anyone that I know in that type of environment (who is well armed, that is) so if I hunker down it’s gonna be a flat fight out here on the prairie and farms.
A lot of good advice on this thread. It’s too bad that it’s broken up into “Older” and “Newer” Comments pages. Still, I am copying all the posts for future reference. Thanks, everyone.
Doktor Dug-In