How Prepared are You?

**Karen1** · 08-03-2009, 08:25 AM

While we all have a stocked pantry....how long could you survive if something catastrophe happened?

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out?
Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ?
Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours?
Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive?
Do you have solar light set up if needed for night?
Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed?
Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required?
Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance?

just wondering who thinks ahead for the horrible times one might face and how far do you take this "being prepared"?

just want to know your views and what might be on an emergency prepared list if needed?

**justpeachy92** · 08-03-2009, 08:34 AM

Right now we wouldn't survive long. We used up our stockpile prior to moving in June. So I have alot of work to do in order to get that built up again. I like to keep about 3 months of food on hand, for just incase reasons. Howwever, because we live in a hurricane zone I don't keep much in the freezer this time of year.

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out? yes
Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ? yes
Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours? yes, but I don't consider that for protection but more so to hunt with. however, I would use it for protect my family if need be.
Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive?yes
Do you have solar light set up if needed for night? nope this is on our to do list
Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed?yes
Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required?yes
Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance? we have both, we have some that would be quite capable of surviving on their own, or maybe even teaching us a thing or two about survival, and then we have some that would be dependent on others for their survival.

**NewLeaf** · 08-03-2009, 08:58 AM

We have a three month stockpile of food and some HBA items. I need to stock up my medical kit. We have alot of camping supplies-propane stove, tents, sleeping bags and a pop up camper. We have a little garden area, but would not be able to survive on it. We have hunting guns & ammo and fishing equipment. I think we could do well for awhile, but to survive longer we would need more land for gardening and chickens and such.

We have some friends who would expect to mooch, but others who would be helpful. If a shtf scenario happens I think most would take care of their own...

We have oil lamps and propane lamps, flashlights and lots of candles. If we need heat we have a gas fireplace (could be easily converted back to wood burning) and two kerosene heaters.

**Incognito** · 08-03-2009, 09:01 AM

My parents survived the depression of the 30's. They lived on next-to-nothing, along with their friends, family and neighbours. Nobody had to protect their stuff with guns and ammo, because everyone was in the same position.
I have enough for my own needs, and my needs are few.
I have no guns or ammo.
Hunting and fishing is only permitted here within the rules and with licenses. I guess I could get a fishing license if hard-pressed, but that's not a guarantee that the fishing will be good.
The sun will provide my light for the daytime, when I'll get things done that I need to do. I do have a few candles which were given to me as gifts, if light is needed otherwise.
As for cooking without power, it's not allowed in my renting rules, except for barbecueing, which I'm allergic to due to asthma. So I'll just live off all the boxes of cereal I've stockpiled, as well as canned & dried goods etc. and I'll be just fine. If necessary, I could take a bit of meat down to the park and cook it up in one of the fireboxes there, for a fee.
No panic, though. If something alters my lifestyle for a few days or weeks, or months, or years, so what? I'll adjust. Around here, everybody is self-sufficient and independent. If you don't have stuff, you do without stuff, generally. It's no big deal. It's mainly an attitude adjustment.
I'm sure I'll figure out something.
I don't have much space for gardening, though I do my best; my garden doesn't produce much, because it's too shaded by large trees, but I do have a few things which I might be able to trade with others for some of their garden produce. I'd forage from the woods, as I do now, and make the best use of my resources.
Yesterday, I washed a few loads of laundry by hand because my washer isn't working right now. The process took a couple of hours, but it was no big deal. Worrying about it in advance was the big deal. Worry and fear are big deals. The best thing to do in any situation is to keep your head, and do what you can with what you have. And be prepared to adjust your perceived needs & wants.

Catastrophic events do occur sometimes, but if I'm left with the resources I already have in place, I'll manage ok. If I'm not left with any resources, I'll cope too. Involvement by the authorities also needs to be considered in any catastrophic situation; then, whatever individual decisions can still be made at the time.

Originally Posted by Karen1

While we all have a stocked pantry....how long could you survive if something catastrophe happened?

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out?
Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ?
Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours?
Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive?
Do you have solar light set up if needed for night?
Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed?
Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required?
Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance?

just wondering who thinks ahead for the horrible times one might face and how far do you take this "being prepared"?

just want to know your views and what might be on an emergency prepared list if needed?

**dean** · 08-03-2009, 09:03 AM

Yes, plenty of oil lamps, 8 as a matter of fact. Plus 4 bottles of oil, candles, matches, flashlights and extra batteries.
Back yard grill, oven, and smokehouse.
DH has guns and ammo-he is a hunter.
Garden, 23 1/2 acres, ability to can, cook and bake from scratch, 39 chickens.
Long term goal is solar panels.
Working on medical kit, ongoing project
DH and DS are the hunters
I can only hope that family, friends, and neighbor would all pitch in and do their fair share in times of chaos.
We have a woodburner for heat, equipment to fish (ice and water), ability to sew and make clothes.
I don't think in terms of a catastrophic event-I just think in terms of being as self sufficient as possible.
What about you karen1? What are your answers to these questions?

**savvy_sniper** · 08-03-2009, 09:15 AM

Ready on all counts. I grew up in a survivalist/be prepared for anything type family. I also was born and raised on the Texas Gulf Coast.

My close knit group of friends and family are very like minded and we all have a variety of skills and goods we can bring to the group - hunting, fishing, sewing, cooking, food, fix it/make it skills, MAJOR camping gear, etc.

**sunshine** · 08-03-2009, 09:16 AM

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out? yes, plus candles, hand crank/shake flashlights, solar/hand powered lamps.
Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ? woodstove that can be used for stove top cooking, grill with several propane tanks, solar oven
Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours?yes, and a huge dog, knives, and the knowledge to use them all - but also the knowledge to keep things mostly secretive so hopefully it won't be an issue.
Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive? yes. . . 2.5 acres here with nut trees, fruits, garden space. . . also own lots more land in various places.
Do you have solar light set up if needed for night? yes -
Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed? yes, and the knowledge of how to stitch up a wound, set a broken bone, administer IM antibiotics, etc.
Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required? hunt, trap, fish - tan the hides, process the meat, etc.
Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance? some would be a great support, some a hindrance as far a survival, but a support in other ways/ knowledge.

We have mostly a years worth of foods, 2-3 years worth of nonfood supplies, lots of entertainment items (books, cards, fabric/yarn, etc.)

**Karen1** · 08-03-2009, 09:30 AM

WOW great response to the thread and great answers!

Me, I don't worry about "what ifs" in real life, I just take some precautions to know I can survive a long long time if needed...LOL...I got that "survival" instinct and KNOW that if the SHTF that I would make it definitely.

And remember, there are tons of scenarios for all this and variables...like city supplies vs. country supplies-- Big population area vs. small town people to deal with if necessary.

I farm, we hunt, we fish, we do have all that listed in the original post. My friends are farmers and hunters and survivalist types. I live in the country. I own, don't rent and don't have rules (which rules would go out the door for most cities if it hits the fan..LOL)

One thing I need is more solar situations.

One thing many rely on is propane and all that. I know if anything happens long term, I can do without. I have done without...so it wouldn't be anything new to me..LOL

I can build a rocket stove fast, I have all I need in this home to survive and eat. I could easily take in friends and they would only be an asset. I don't have unskilled friends, mine would contribute and we would gladly share and all that.

so just wondering who was like me, having what is needed. I can stitch up a wound, like I do on my farm animals if needed.

I can make it but I would miss my TV shows--the few I love..HA HA HA

oh edited to say---I would use my ammo on people that threatened my existence in any way shape or form if need be. I would have no problem pulling that trigger.

**sunshine** · 08-03-2009, 09:33 AM

oh -- and we only garden with heirloom seeds and know how to save seeds, propagate other plants, forage (cattails, acorns, various weeds, mushrooms, etc.)

**Karen1** · 08-03-2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by sunshine

oh -- and we only garden with heirloom seeds and know how to save seeds, propagate other plants, forage (cattails, acorns, various weeds, mushrooms, etc.)

Sunshine I know you surely would survive!

I also own some "old timey" books about the things so much as been forgotten. How to use nature to live. These are invaluable if ever needed.

more info has been lost about how to use true nature to live, now that we have current conveniences.

**rsbs** · 08-03-2009, 09:53 AM

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out? yes
Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ? yes, and an indoor fireplace that we use to cook in, in the winter
Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours? yes
Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive? no and yes - we have enough land, currently I don't garden enough, but I do garden. We could do more if necessary.
Do you have solar light set up if needed for night? no
Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed? yes
Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required? yes
Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance? both.

**WV_mom_of2** · 08-03-2009, 09:56 AM

I am prepared. We have an outdoor firepit with cooking grate and plenty of wood.

We have camping gear.

We have oil lamps and oil, candles, battery powered lantern, propane lantern along with matches, batteries,etc. I wouldn't use them much though. I'd just go to bed when it got dark.

I have at least a three month stockpile of food and hba. We live in the country so hunting and fishing are things we already do! I can garden and can the produce. I keep packs of seeds on hand for emergencies where you might not be able to buy them, planting them and replacing often so they don't go bad.

We have several guns and alot of ammo! I also have a first aid kit and stockpile things like bandaids and OTC pain killers.

As for friends and family.........well my parents live an hour and twenty minutes away. They would be a huge help if we had to pull together. My sister is also up there and she would be a help but she also has seven kids so that would be a pull on the supplies as she doesn't stockpile.

My brother is here and he can hunt and fish but he would be lazy and expect everyone to do for him and his kids and he wouldn't bother to pull his weight.

The inlaws would just drive me nuts as they don't get along and it would be non-stop fighting.

Most of our friends are an hour away but they would be helpful in a bad situation. They hunt and fish and garden.

**Rangia** · 08-03-2009, 10:10 AM

I personally think level of preparedness depends on what part of the world you live in. There are going to be a few differences.

My household from living in Earthquake zones, have flashlights and radios that are run on a hand crank power, emergency blankets, water conditioner and a few miss and match types items. I know how to make a solar oven, I can construct a safe bbq or bbq pit area. I know how to butcher and preserve the meat of animals. I know the basics of farming.

For Germany though, I figure I keep enough canned food and bottled beverages in the house to make it a week or two. If the SHTF worse than that doesn't matter how prepared I am, I am living with 84 million other people in an area roughly the same size of Texas, it would not take long for things to get picked over and the only thing I could see to change this fact is an world health epidemic.

My SIL has a bunch of books on eating wild vegetation and mushrooms. They teach you how to recognize eatable plants in the area. They are nice with pictures. Not sure when, how or where she got them but they would nice is a large scale crises.

DH and I though could survive if we needed.

**thefrug** · 08-03-2009, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Karen1

While we all have a stocked pantry....how long could you survive if something catastrophe happened?

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out?yes
Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ?back yard oven? I have wood for a campfire and cast iron dutch ovens to cook and bake in. and I know how to do so
Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours?yes
Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive?yes
Do you have solar light set up if needed for night?yes
Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed?a partial yes. I got sidetracked prepping for the flu(s), but thats done and I'll be back to the firstaid kit(s)
Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required?yes. and clean and cook and preserve,etc
Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance?I doubt my friends would be here. hubby's family from NJ might try to get here. and if they do, they'll have a rude awakening. no work/ no food/no exceptions

just wondering who thinks ahead for the horrible times one might face and how far do you take this "being prepared"?

just want to know your views and what might be on an emergency prepared list if needed?

Different lists for different things. Basic is food,clean water,ammo,weapons,heat,fuel,shelter,clothes appropriate for the climate

**coup** · 08-03-2009, 03:21 PM

Well, I thought I was prepared until I read all of your questions! But here goes.....

Do you have oil lamps and a supply if power is out? battery operated lanterns and a stockpile of batteries. Weather/crank radio. Lots of flashlights. If power is out, we can heat the house with a fireplace. Have about 8 cords of wood stacked and ready.
Have a generator and several gas cans for short outages.

Do you have a backyard oven if propane runs out for cooking on the BBQ? No. Have backyard grill with 2 tanks. I made a solar oven once, I bet I could do it again, if needed. Also have a firepit in the back yard - could cook over that.

Do you have guns and ammo if needed to protect what is yours?
No. But if it came to this I'm sure one of my family members would share their wealth and teach me how to shoot.

Do you garden enough or have enough land to survive?
Currently have a small garden. Could turn the whole backyard into a garden, if needed. Own 5 acres.

Do you have solar light set up if needed for night? No.

Do you have a true emergency medical kit if needed? It's pretty well stocked.

Do you have the skills to hunt etc. if required? No, but I could learn or better yet, barter with my brothers and/or neighbors who DO hunt.

Do you have the type of friends that can support your survival or would they be a hinderance? Definately support!

I have recently been looking for homesteading books. I'm tryng to get them from the library first to see which ones are the best suited for me. Then I will purchase to have on hand.