https://www.theburningplatform.com/2023/10/16/blueprint-for-spooling-up/#more-317470

Was the "DIsaster Preparness NCO" for my Gaurd Unit. I have this.

Still.

There are small tricks, I had forgotten about freezing water to extent the usefullness of a freezer with power down.

Going to go thru my stuff. I'm now worried about the dates on my "buckets o food".

Good article. You can never over prepare!

As to water, I'd say double it, you have no idea what is coming, Hell, get a huge holding tank.
Even the video is spot on, because life never get's easier, just more comfortable, but when SHTF, all that prepping will be the test if you were prepared or not.

I always tell people in the city who plan on bugging out, make sure to choose a place in the forest, or wooded are, no paths, make sure it is not a frequented area, ever! At least 30 miles from the city or big town, and hard to get to.

Then dig a hole and stock a bunch of supplies in water proof tubs or whatever you have, and seal them up so smells don't escape, animals get hungry as well, make sure those closest to you know how to get there.
Also make them dig holes and bury their own supplies, you are only responsible for yourself first, because if you are gone, the rest probably won't survive without a leader.

Oh, and don't rely on tech, that may not be working in the near future either, so draw maps, mark your spot with something only you will recognize, be it a beer can, or a piece of broken toy stuck to the ground, and a drive a stick into the ground near it, there may be snow on the ground obscuring it and orange spray paint is used to survey, so it won't look all that out of place if you use it.

You may hate spam, but a case of beans and spam can go along way in sustaining life. Freeze dried everything!
Variety is extremely important.
Oh, and if you can't filter water, dig a hole near a water source, it will fill up, use charcoal from the fire as your filter and a bandana to strain water through, this should keep you safe, and bring iodine and chlorine.

I could go on for pages, but suffice it to say, bring enough food for at least three months, probably longer.
Life is about to change, for the worst!

Yep. What he said.

My biggest concern right now is water. Some where in the move, lost my water filter rig. A little pricy to replace, but I may just have to bite the bullet.

Quote from: Rick on October 16, 2023, 07:59:18 PMYep. What he said.

My biggest concern right now is water. Some where in the move, lost my water filter rig. A little pricy to replace, but I may just have to bite the bullet.

I know Berkey was popular for the longest time, but the complaint list is growing over quality control, and truth is, even the cheapest filter out there will work effectively and be safe for drinking.

Probably the best on the Mkt for small purification is, the Zero. Cheap all the way around, and does a phenomenal job of purifying water. Hell, I'd even pack it on the trail. https://moderncastle.com/zerowater-filter-review/

Granted, this isn't for muddy water, but tap water sources, even clear stagnate water.
Otherwise you need to get those disposable straw type filters, when they die, you can't suck water, then toss them.

The upside with Zero is the TDS meter (Total Dissolved Solids) it comes with. The water that comes out can be compared to that of distilled.
I laughed when I saw the meter, thinking TDS meant (Trump Derangement Syndrome).
Just think if there was areal life meter that could measure the TDS of anyone you came in contact with.    

Anyway, you could get a cheap filter, then dump what it filtered into the Zero, literally guaranteeing pure H2o.

You could not buy a Berkey filters in California. But you could buy/order the replacement fiters ( go figure) I bought three buckets from my favorite donut shop. They are food grade, and made my own filter. I'm thinking someone thought them trash.

I do have several of the Brite filters for tap water and straws in my GHB.

Any filters you order make sure they have silver in them. It kills more germs.

The closing paragraph...

https://johngaltfla.com/economics/10-18-23-stock-market-report-it-was-a-ranch-party/

Quote from: Rick on October 18, 2023, 01:43:51 PMYou could not buy a Berkey filters in California. But you could buy/order the replacement fiters ( go figure) I bought three buckets from my favorite donut shop. They are food grade, and made my own filter. I'm thinking someone thought them trash.

I do have several of the Brite filters for tap water and straws in my GHB.

Any filters you order make sure they have silver in them. It kills more germs.

Key word, "Food Grade".
I hope more people read this and start prepping, and it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Make it a family project so the kids can learn too, knowledge will buy you months over the people just starting out because they waited till the last minute and will have no clue how or where to start.

People need to have a plan, practice setting up in the backyard, then take it all camping. There won't be room for mistakes.

Quote from: Rick on October 18, 2023, 04:08:52 PMThe closing paragraph...

https://johngaltfla.com/economics/10-18-23-stock-market-report-it-was-a-ranch-party/

Yeah, that about sums it up. The only ones making money, is the war machine, the rest of the Mkt is, in my opinion, a gold painted balloon about to pop.
Best investment right now, is non perishable food.

Forgot to mention the buckets go for about $2.00.

Yep to the food.

Quote from: Rick on October 18, 2023, 10:13:33 PMForgot to mention the buckets go for about $2.00.

Yep to the food.

That's perfect for packing all your stuff and burying it after sealing it so animals won't find it.
Two bucks is cheaper than Home Despot 5 gallon buckets, which are pretty thin.

I'm glad you mentioned silver, that's true, but if it's mid summer, or late fall and the creeks are running slow, boil all water. No one can ever be safe from everything.
The standard used to be 25 minutes, but better yet is 45 minutes because (Cryptosporidium, Giardia) cysts, or what one might refer to as half shelled eggs, can survive quite well, even in boiling water.
I know this because back in the 80s I had a full blown case of that crap, which I thought was the worst flu I'd ever had, and I looked 6 months pregnant.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Oh, and even good filters may not sop it because of its life cycle, it can literally breed its way through a good filter.

So folks, boil your water if it isn't coming straight out of the rocks, and even then, be careful.

Jeez

Yesterday a homeless man was walking down the street, trying door. He was three door down when the cops arrested him. It took three of them to cuff him. (drugs?). Seem this in California, has always been High School kids.

Taking the trash out this morning, there's a Cop car parked in the intersection with it's lights on. Nobody around, was not going to check it out.

Wondering if I need to carry at home now?

Yea, yea, stay strapped or get clapped.. The wife will freek.

Well keep the head on a swivel. Be alert, the world need more lerts.

The only time I ever had an issue in Ca was Venice beach, headed to a place I was authorized to park, a homeless guy tries to get in my car by yanking the door handle, beating on my car, cop sat right there and watched it happen, this was 1979.
I said aren't you going to arrest him? He said it would be a waste of time because nothing would happen anyway.

So I parked my car, the next day it was towed, my 357 Mag was stolen, cops said they couldn't do anything about it, regardless of the fact it was towed illegally.
Had to pay bail on the car, lost a nice gun. I haven't been down South since, now that shit has moved to the Central valley, and people are freaking out because Sacto refuses to do anything to stop it.

Tell me people are going to continue letting this slide. I see all Hell breaking loose by early 2024. After the Marxists try to steal another election, people have had enough!
Martial Law aside.