Posted: 1/28/2010 4:34:54 AM EDT
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I wanted to say a heartfelt thanks to all the folks who contribute knowlege and wisdom, humor, and a reassurance that I (we) are not alone in these times of real peril in our Country and our communities. Posts run the gamut from useful to entertaining, and it's good to know that like minded, self reliant folks are out there keeping the torch burning. I have been preparedness minded since I was a Boy Scout (no kidding!), and time has shown that training and preparation are key elements in being able to survive and thrive in many unusual circumstances.
I would like to share some bits of wisdom that I have accumulated over the years. 1-Evaluate your needs for shelter, clothing, food, and water. Find the weak spots and acquire the items you need to strengthen them. Have enough for your family, and some extra if you can. Find out what you need before you need it, then do your best to get it. Make an emergency plan, and make sure your family knows how to act when an emergency strikes. Evaluate what type of emergency you are most likely to encounter, and concentrate your preps in that direction. 2-Find friends who are of a similar mindset, with skills that are useful in an emergency. Get together with them, and learn how to work together. 3-Obtain the gear you need to be self reliant. For example, have a back up heating system for your house, a generator for power, a saw to cut wood, etc. Priortize your gear acquisitions according to your specific situations. A back up heat source may be less of a priority in Florida than in Western NY in the winter. 4-Develop a "survival mindset". Panic is not a friend. It is allayed by preparing and training, reinforcing the skills and mindset needed to survive. 5-TRAIN. Take a first aid / cpr class. Learn how to turn off the utilities at your house. Take an outdoor survival class. Buy a survival guide and take it camping with you for a weekend, trying out some of the skills. There are many options available, but training may be the most important thing you can do to prepare. 6-Don't let prepping take over your life. Make it an important part of your consciousness, but it's important to have a well balanced life, being able to laugh once in a while. Take it seriously, but don't let it consume you to the point of ignoring what else is important. Thanks again for all the great insights here...well done! |
Welcome to the forum tac803 
You knocked it out of the park with number six. You cannot squander your life away waiting for "it" to happen. It's very easy to get caught up with the gloomers, and forget that life is a journey, not a destination. If nothing else, your loved ones deserve better. |
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That really sums it up.
Hard part is doing #2 without coming off as a kook to people that don't have that mind set. Then fielding the "i know where i'm going is something goes wrong' comments. That gets old. #6 is important. If you do nothing but prep, plan, prepare, your missing out on life (im realizing this now). I went a few rounds last night with a buddy of mine who is a survivalist/Ham radio op reguarding this house for sale (from the arf ham forum). Said he'd never even visit due to the volcano's, said I was stupid if i even considered it. What is life if you can't enjoy it? |