I am sure most of us are familiar with 'Doomsday Preppers' on NatGeo. I am curious if anyone here considers themselves a 'prepper?'

I dont consider myself one, but I do have a 'go-bag' of supplies that are easily accessible and portable. The wife thinks I am a little crazy.

I have:

12 gauge shotgun and an external frame backpack packed with;

1 'survival' knife, 1 combat knife
200 rounds of buckshot
water purification tablets
compass
map
water proof matches and a magnesium strike to start fires
nylon rope
fishing line, hooks, weights
first aid kid
flashlight, extra batteries
small personal hygiene kit - wipes, sanitizer, sunscreen, bug repellent
multi purpose tool
cooking pot
3 days MREs
SAS survival guide
hatchet


then in the house I have stored 6 gallons of water and a pantry full of canned goods in case we are stuck at home for a while.

6/5/2012 1:12:19 PM

Quote :

"a little crazy"

6/5/2012 1:18:00 PM

so you have camping supplies

6/5/2012 1:21:42 PM

well maybe a little, but I dont think it hurts to be prepared to take care of yourself if needed. natural disasters can cut off aid for a few days. utilities (water) can fail or get compromised by bacteria. not to mention any kind of terrorist attack or electrical grid issue.

think of it this way...most people posting here will probably live another 40-50 years. now think back 40-50 year at all of the crazy shit that has happened in the world. stands to reason that at least that amount of crazy shit will happen again.

6/5/2012 1:22:32 PM

Quote :

"so you have camping supplies"

yes, basically. organized in a backpack

6/5/2012 1:23:05 PM

You are crazy.

But, you could improve the long term utility of that kit by swapping out some of the shotgun rounds for a 22 pistol and ammo. Better for hunting, lot more meat for the buck (if not more bang). And, the scariest guy I ever met told spec-ops stories involving a silenced .22 and dudes trying to figure out why all their buddies were falling down. I only believed 10%, and I was still scared.

Also add a knife sharpening device and gun cleaning equipment, or you won't run out of ammo before the equipment calls it quits.

I'd also add a water filter and water containing devices. Purification tablets are awesome, but there some liquids out there that takes way more than a couple tablets to be called "water". Even just the pre-filter part of a backpacking filter will combine with those tablets to make some disturbingly gritty sources drinkable.

6/5/2012 1:23:13 PM

Whoa, paranoid much?

6/5/2012 1:23:18 PM

There's nothing paranoid about preparedness. I think it's a good idea. I had one for a while, but the bag itself wasn't working. I would use it more as an emergency kit for the trunk of my car, than anything else.

6/5/2012 1:26:43 PM

I do have a knife-sharpener and cleaning kit for the shotgun. you make a good point though, I dont have a good canteen.

getting a .22 rifle has been on my list for recreational purposes (target shooting, etc). the shotgun is more for defense than hunting.

maybe I am a little paranoid, but I dont walk around in a panic or constantly thinking about it. however having that kit give me peace of mind. not ashamed of that.

[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 1:28 PM. Reason : .]

6/5/2012 1:27:22 PM

6/5/2012 1:30:45 PM

we have backpacking & camping supplies organized in a closet, plus a shelf in an extra pantry with hurricane stuff (jugs of water & food - we do live in rocky mount/hurricane floyd flood zone), but we don't keep it all piled in one place in case we need to run out the door with it suddenly. we actually have a LOT more disaster/emergency supplies than what's on that list & probably enough guns & ammo to open a store, but those are the result of our hobbies for the most part. all we do is backpacking, camping, kayaking, & gun/knife stuff.

[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 1:37 PM. Reason : ]

6/5/2012 1:32:49 PM

I actually dont camp a lot, so I would like to know what sorts of items people who do camp a lot find to be most valuable/essential.

6/5/2012 1:34:50 PM

in addition to water treatment tablets (which can take a long time to work, can sometimes taste like ass, & don't filter grit), we have a water filter for backpacking purposes. it filters out microbes & viruses & dirt & stuff. you can also treat water with regular bleach. we have a million ways to start a fire, including knowing how to do it without matches/lighters/starters/strikers. duct tape is important.

6/5/2012 1:42:57 PM

You forgot a whistle.

6/5/2012 1:45:16 PM

I have exactly everything on that list, minus the gun. Most realistic survival situation would be a natural disaster, which requires no gun.

... and if there does come a situation that requires a gun, I don't think a measly shotgun will do much for you anyways. It ain't going to trump automatic rifles, tanks, zombies, or gamma rays.

6/5/2012 1:50:03 PM

the gun would help against looters...a deterrent more than anything.

I do have a whistle but no duct tape. another good (obvious) item I had forgotten.

6/5/2012 1:52:22 PM

Is this an armed camping trip? Add a trenching tool, tents don't stop bullets.

Slightly seriously, on the weaponry. What would you consider yourself most trained in and what are you defending against? Vs. non-professional people (or Zombies), I'd carry a pistol, it's what I've handled most, and am most confident in using well. If pistols skirted legality near where I'd be bugging out to (like Canada, too cold for Zombies), I might take a shotgun, but I'd train on it. Stressful, timed training with reloads. I'd supplement that with a CQ weapon, which would probably be a Cold Steel Trench Hawk. I'd have a knife, but I don't plan to bring a knife to a knife fight. Knives are off-hand weapons.

Food. Screw it. Or, take power bars or other exercise/energy bars (without too much caffeine). Food is non-important in near-term physical survival. Unless you are planning on this being a hike-for-your-life scenario, in which case carb bars and GORP will do you better than all the extras in the MRE. (Oh, but those little tabascos are awesome...)

Signalling... What is your expected end goal? You reach Union City, steal a boat and motor off into the ocean with your (bitten) spouse? Assuming you are expecting to find civilized people to rescue you, you should take signalling equipment. Mirror, e-blanket (most are one-side shiny/one side orange), blaze orange marking tape or spray paint.

Homesteading equipment... If you aren't expecting civilization on the far side, you should bring another sharpening stone, a file, an axe head, a shovel head, and some seeds for food crops that will grow in your planned bugout direction. And, a lot more food. And a few oxen, and a spare wheel, and a few boxes of bullets. And hope that Jane doesn't die of dysentery.

6/5/2012 1:57:25 PM

Trenching tool is on my list. I used to have one for the beach but it rusted out. I do have a handheld mirror in the kit.

I am most comfortable with a shotgun by far. I regularly go shoot sporting clays. not great with a handgun. I dont own one and I dont have a lot of practice with one. your point is taken, however. I would be no match for "professionals." In my mind, the most immediate threat in this kind of situation are the people around me who are not prepared. They will be looking to take what they need.

I am not planning for the apocalypse but rather a short term survival scenario. I dont think it is possible to prepare for the former.

6/5/2012 2:07:53 PM

I'm pretty sure those supplies won't get you through doomsday (that shit will never happen anyway) but any realistic emergency, yes. And it's always a good idea to have the supplies ready to go. That said, I'm not a prepper. I've got most of the stuff you need just not in a go bag.

6/5/2012 2:09:10 PM

Sewing kit (mostly for first aid purposes) but can also repair tent, backpack, clothing etc if torn

Helmet (people think its silly until they think about it)

Reading material (I have an anthology of short stories I keep unread & handy. I broke into it during Ike in 2008 when we were without power)

Contraception (it's all fun & games until you run out & risk a pregnancy during the mayhem. 3-6 month supply)

Sturdy walking/hiking shoes

Bicycle (solar flares anyone? Electronic madness could mean your car won't turn on.)

Chapstick. I fucking hate chapped lips

6/5/2012 2:16:43 PM

Add speed reload training to your regimen. Sporting clays are good, but I don't think they ask you to do 4+1 very often. If you are intending on this thing for defense, you should be able to rapidly reload. I'd hit a range and have a buddy run you through timed drills. Have 2 loaded, shoot those, full reload, shoot one more. Get consistent (no drops/other screwups), and you'll end up fast.

And, my plan vs. professionals? Booze. I break out the secret scotch collection, there's some good shit in there.

[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 2:26 PM. Reason : professionals]

6/5/2012 2:23:26 PM

"end of thee world ? Let's fuck no babies"
- ncsuwolfy

6/5/2012 2:29:58 PM

I'm not against babies, but I'm against babies when/if medical care is difficult to come by

6/5/2012 2:31:34 PM

I was just picken with you it's a good idea.

6/5/2012 2:38:28 PM

When did The Lounge turn into the Survival Forum?

Just picking on you, OP -- "Better to have and not need, than need and not have."

[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 2:45 PM. Reason : ]

6/5/2012 2:44:31 PM

I've got ours all set up as well.

Basically the same stuff you have, but I have a ton more medical stuff. That was by far the hardest to amass, and I still have a few more parts I want.

Don't forget about little things like sterno cans, cutlery, a non electric can opener, cups, dish soap, etc... I do have matches in there, but I also added a blowtorch to it a while back. It's one of the half-height ones with a piezo trigger.

I also bought a couple of "Water BOBs" for the bathtub, just in case.

6/5/2012 2:51:32 PM

kimber 1911, several passports, 50k in cash, and a roo cup

6/5/2012 3:07:40 PM

wtf is a roo cup?

6/5/2012 3:12:42 PM

How much have you all invested in these go bags...in total?

6/5/2012 3:13:06 PM

Rubber tubing, gas, saw, gloves, cuffs, razor wire, hatchet, Gladys, and my mitts.

6/5/2012 3:15:04 PM

^^^ ?topic=627711

6/5/2012 3:16:33 PM

oh oops, I just read the thread, wrong subject I guess

[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 3:24 PM. Reason : ]

6/5/2012 3:22:01 PM

Quote :

"we have a water filter for backpacking purposes. it filters out microbes & viruses & dirt & stuff."

And what exactly is the pore size of this filter? 0.2um? All but the largest of the largest viruses are flying right through that filter like a hot dog down a hallway. Viruses aren't typically your problem anyway. Parasites, protozoa, bacteria, etc will all be trapped by the filter and those are what you're trying to avoid primarily

6/5/2012 3:25:17 PM

Quote :

"How much have you all invested in these go bags...in total?"

If you include the shotgun its about $600 I would say.

some great ideas posted here.

6/5/2012 3:44:53 PM

^^jesus, calm down. maybe i mean parasites & protozoa & shit.

k, where we go:

Quote :

"0.3 micron glassfiber removes bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, spores, sediments. Reduces bad tastes and odors."

better?

[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 3:51 PM. Reason : ]

6/5/2012 3:49:58 PM

Is it really important how much money is spent to make them? It's the same principal as car insurance or life insurance or having that home defense shotgun. They are all things you hope you don't have to ever use, but if you do, you planned and were prepared.

I think its different when you have a wife and kids. If it was just me and a disaster struck, I think it would be different. With the kids we needed to add diapers and other stuff to the kits to make sure it supported them as well.

6/5/2012 4:06:23 PM

I'm a big fan of the aluminum can alcohol stove

http://www.jureystudio.com/pennystove/stoveinstruct.html

6/5/2012 4:10:41 PM

Quote :

"^^jesus, calm down. maybe i mean parasites & protozoa & shit."

ITT, se7entythree, who is probably one of the worst people for overreacting and jumping down someone's throat for the slightest miscommunication, becomes her own worst enemy.

You are such a cunt.

6/5/2012 4:17:42 PM

i love you too

6/5/2012 5:17:54 PM

You people are fucking crazy

6/5/2012 5:41:28 PM

Calling it a "go bag" around your prepper buddies is going to get you laughed at.

The term is "bug out bag"

6/5/2012 5:57:40 PM

Mine would be a fight to get home. Then I would stay there until it was no longer feasible.
I have food for 3-4 days comfortably, guns/ammo for a LONG time, water/ drinks for over a week.
A cattle farm is literally across the road, so I'm good on steak for a bit if needed.

I have all the standard camping/survival equipment as well.

6/5/2012 5:59:10 PM

I have a multi-tool with flip-out fork and spoon, and also a solid block of magnesium for shaving off to accelerate kindling.

6/5/2012 6:01:12 PM

cash, grill, crazy friend who invests in 'go bag'

6/5/2012 11:53:19 PM

You would all get along with my brother, who believes it is physically impossible for us to have gone to the moon, government officials are lizard people, and has things like 'six month supply' in his browser search history.

6/6/2012 12:03:49 AM

I just looked up go bag on Wikipedia. It says it's an emergency kit that's supposed to help you get through a 72 hour emergency.

So my "go bag" is nothing. It won't take me long to throw some bottled water, canned beans, playing cards, and a blanket into a bag. I should maybe add an iPod/headphones/extra battery to drown out people who are whining about going three days without cooked food or wet wipes.

[Edited on June 6, 2012 at 12:22 AM. Reason : I'll loot for the beer.]

6/6/2012 12:20:46 AM

IMO if you only have one gun it should be a handgun. In a disaster, breakdown of society, or whatever it's likely that the world won't go to complete shit; civilized society will still operate on some level. Walking into Harris teeter to check if they got their next shipment of milk sandwiches with an 870 or ar-15 slung across your shoulder isnt going to work. Not to mention guns are banned during states of emergency in nc. If you only have one gun it should be concealable.

Obviously a handgun isn't the best gun in a lot of situations. What I do is plan on always having a handgun (which is an everyday thing for me) but also have a couple of gun bags/cases, each with a long gun or bigger handgun along with magazines, ammo, and other stuff to go with that particular gun. If something happens it wouldn't take but a second to decide which gun would probably be the best to take for that situation, you just pick the bag (or more likely I'd grab them all if I have the space) and go.

6/6/2012 12:26:14 AM

My home is my safe place.

If I had to evacuate due to a natural disaster I could grab some essentials and be gone in short time, but the likelihood that I'd be safer on the road than in my home during the type of crisis that the "doomsday prepper" crowd is planning for is pretty slim.

6/6/2012 1:03:55 AM

I've had one on and off over the years, as resources allowed. At the moment I guess you could say I have a really excellent one as far as equipment, though it doesn't have much in the way of consumables. Of course, at the moment I have a "go bag" in the sense that I have "bags that are packed to go to Africa for years," but a lot of the stuff (if it survives the trip) would come in handy.

But as a general rule, my go bag is as much for storage as it is for emergencies. Basic first-aid, batteries, flashlights, etc. all come in handy in non-emergency situations and they have to be stored somewhere. Why not a bag? Throw in a couple of lighters and some basic, cheap survival gear stuff (outdoor knife, compass, rope, fishing hooks, etc) and you've got a serviceable bag. Then I just sit the thing on top of the ammo case and next to the rifle and machete. Given my constant poverty I think it's as good a system as I can hope for. (Incidentally most all of this is coming to Africa, minus the rifle and ammo, obviously)

6/6/2012 1:52:33 AM

there is a good book called "one second after" that goes into a scenario of what our country would be like after a large scale EMP attack. quite interesting and scary to see how quickly society can breakdown should electricity be lost for an extended period of time.

6/6/2012 8:51:22 AM