Awareness and Getting Involved

[MichiganMilitia]

Wow, there are some really good discussions taking place in this new subforum, and I'm very thankful to Jerry for moderating and to everyone who contributes.

So now to the meat of things... My fiance isn't thrilled about this whole preparedness/survival thing. She's okay with shooting my guns (mostly my AR-15), but she isn't terribly excited about it. Along the same lines, she is okay with the idea of me carrying concealed, but she doesn't want to really consider it for herself.

Much of my family and many of my friends show a similar front: They are accepting of my "hobbies" but they don't want to get their hands dirty.

What is the best way to introduce these people to ideas like keeping a few weeks of extra food in the house and having a "Bug out Bag"? They probably think I go to sleep at night with my tinfoil hat on, so how do I show them that being prepared is a good idea? (I like to call it "being prepared"... they would probably call it "being paranoid".)

Any advice or good plans would be really appreciated, especially for helping my fiance see things from the "always better to be prepared" perspective.

Thanks fellas and keep up the good work!

[Irving]

I have a similar problem with the door being unlocked at our baby sitters house. I'm considering dropping off my daughter, driving around the block, then running into the house with a ski mask on.

I'm not sure how that will help your problem though. I'd suggest that if that is not their mind set, then treat them like they treat you. Accept them for the way they are, but don't try to push them to change, as I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it very much if they were constantly trying to get you to stop carrying. Maybe just be prepared yourself and let them learn the hard way. I know you have their best interest in mind, but sometimes people just don't want to change their life style.

[theGinsue]

Use the situation currently going on in the D.C./East Coast area.

A major storm occurs. Are you prepared to be home-bound for an extended stay or will you be trying to brave it through the snow/ice/etc. to get essentials?

The power went out. Do you have anything to keep you warm and/or provide you with light?

The water main broke leaving you without water. Do you have any water stored to give you something to drink or allow basic hygiene cleansing?


Perhaps we should store up a few items "just in case".



Does that help?

[coop68]

My thought is for the next party or event you go to give them some kind of gift you know they wouldn’t eat right away. It could be a funny gag gift "Cans of food, MRE" maybe at a gift exchange, but you never know it might save their life if we ever get another snow storm or something.

An odd way to do it I guess.

[Batteriesnare]

I've had similar issues with my gal, her family and my parents (still live at their house when home from college). They were not thrilled to have me get my carry permit (I was outside the sheriff's office before they opened on my 21st ) own an AR, construct a BOB, or have stored extra supplies around the house. I asked my girlfriend a year in advance and "discussed" an AR purchase with her for that year before she finally okayed it (I'm going to marry this girl and wanted us to be on the same page, please don't flame me), with a similar frame on the CCW. After I pointed out to her local and world wide issues (on a constant basis) where these items would become useful and necessary, she became okay with the idea, and now she can run my Glocks, revolvers and ARs like its nobody's business. I think for them it was the purpose that the didn't understand, and they judged the looks of the items (especially the ARs - yes, now plural!)

Similar experiences with the extra supplies and BOB, especially with the recent earthquake in Haiti. The BOB became a good idea after I had it with me (I take it when I leave college, won't do me any good if I'm in Denver and it's in Greeley) and a friend got a nasty cut on one of our outings. Fortunately, my BOB has a very well stocked med kit, and we were able to treat him well before getting him to medical attention. While not to say that my kit will fix everything, it was the experience of something bad happening and me having the ability and supplies to aid and remedy the situation that changed their mind.

While they may not run out and buy the latest gun or survival equipment, at least now they have an appreciation how they may come in useful at a bad time, and how that one emergency use more than outweighs the expense, used space, and inconvenience of "being (sufficiently) prepared."

Just my .02

[BigBear]

My wife (gfriend at the time) didn't like them either until one day a creeper started following her. She told me about it, we discussed what she could've done, where to go, etc. Went to the range, taught her how to shoot, etc. Now she's all about it. We are at the store and she'll be like "Don't we need some (ammo/water/etc)?" And I'll just be like, "I love you." HAHA.











Oh yeah, thanks Eric for being the "creeper" for me. I still owe you that beer.... hehe.

[jerrymrc]

Use the situation currently going on in the D.C./East Coast area.

A major storm occurs. Are you prepared to be home-bound for an extended stay or will you be trying to brave it through the snow/ice/etc. to get essentials?

The power went out. Do you have anything to keep you warm and/or provide you with light?

The water main broke leaving you without water. Do you have any water stored to give you something to drink or allow basic hygiene cleansing?

Perhaps we should store up a few items "just in case".

Does that help?

I think this may be the best way in so to speak. After the one storm that after 3 days the shelves were half empty I took the wife in there (king Soopers). We walked through the store and I could see the look on her face. I told her. This is 3 days. What is it going to look like in 7 if the trucks don't get through?

That completely changed the way she looked at it. Before she just put up with it even though she likes to go shooting and camping.

[KevDen2005]

I think Ginsue brings up an excellent point using D.C. as an example. We have all seen terrible storms here and once again I point out that I think everyone on this forum are pretty much like-minded thinkers.

I was always taught as a kid to be prepared, having jackets and proper tools in cars, firewood, etc. I think we can get our families and friends on board a little better by identifying the very real eventuality of a major snow storm or something of that nature. Someone else pointed out on the forum on a different thread that every time you go to the store to have by a couple extra cans of something (something you are willing to eat). I also hate going to the store so I try to buy as much as possible (without it going bad) to lessen the amount of times I go to the store.

My girlfriend (Soon to be wife) is very on board with shooting, guns, CCW's, survival, preparation, etc. I know that not everyone is not as fortunate to have that. Always be prepared for that snow storm or being stuck at your house four a couple weeks and when the Zombies attack you will actually be a lot more prepared.

I feel that I can't stress enough about practice. Having a plan is great, and a good idea, but has anyone ever practiced? Everyone here goes to the range to practice, all the campers on here practice getting water, building shelters, making fire, etc. and sometimes do it without even noticing they are doing it. Practicing the bug out situation I think would be a good idea.

I personally think of two plans, one where I will stay and one where I will bug out. Keep in mind that at any time I may have to bug out after I have chosen to stay. And for all the people with families, this concept is new to me, practicing with everyone is essential because all the survivor guys on here know how easy it is to take care of one self rather than 3-5 or more additional people

[jerrymrc]

I have practiced with many of the items I have. That even goes for that damned whole egg powder. Used to go dry camping for a couple of weeks at a time to my spot in the middle of nowhere.

Spent the night in the camper once when it was 25 outside just to see if my heating plan would work and how much kero my lamps were going to take. I was not happy for about two hours.

[KevDen2005]

What I forgot to mention about myself is that I practice lots of things, and buy extras of things, but I think I get into the habit that many people do as well...I put things off, or get "too busy" to practice.

I am certainly a culprit in that department and have a tendency to practice more often in summer months and less often (which sometimes is virtually never) in winter months