Starting My SHTF List!

[Colorado Luckydog]

I already have every piece of camping gear known to man. I also have plenty of guns and ammo. (Trust me!) What I don't know, is how long to prepare for. I have land back in Oklahoma but that would be a last resort to go back there. If I could make it back there I should be fine depending on what kind of shit hit the fan is happening. I have a well so there should be plenty of water. Game and fish or plenty. I think I will plan on 3 months of survival and be prepared to make the journey back to Oklahoma if needed. Here's the beginning of my list.

1. A Plan (that's what I'm beginning now)
2. Water
3. Food
4. Fuel (propane and gas) (enough gas to make it back to Oklahoma)
5. Medical Supplies
6. Communications (I need to do some homework on this)
7. Transportation (I have this covered with 4x4 truck, car, atv, and a trailer)
8. Power (I have a small generator but would like to add a bigger one, and I have a ton of rechargable batteries)

This is the begining of my list and the start of making a plan. I'm not sure why I'm posting this. Maybe I'm looking for ideas or just thinking outloud. Thanks for any input.

[Wulf202]

You're off to a good start!

On the fuel storage, blitz plastic cans suck ass, find good mil surplus cans. Invest in stabil fuel stabilizer and double dose the stored stuff. I just got done burning gas that was almost 3 years old that had been double dosed with stabil and it burned fine.

Instead of getting a bigger generator consider a solar backup system or just how to use what you've got, most of the time a small genny will work if you use it carefully.

[M2MG]

I was wondering what kind of list this was going to be. A list of things to buy, or a list of people to..... Never mind, good luck with your planning.

M2MG

[BigBear]

It's the Bucket List.... hehehe

[theGinsue]

You're off to a good start!

On the fuel storage, blitz plastic cans suck ass, find good mil surplus cans. Invest in stabil fuel stabilizer and double dose the stored stuff. I just got done burning gas that was almost 3 years old that had been double dosed with stabil and it burned fine.

Instead of getting a bigger generator consider a solar backup system or just how to use what you've got, most of the time a small genny will work if you use it carefully.

Good info on the gas cans! Thanks.

Another thing to consider about generators is that they make noise that shouts to others "Here I am and I have stuff you can kill me to take".

[68Charger]

Another thing to consider about generators is that they make noise that shouts to others "Here I am and I have stuff you can kill me to take".

so do lights on after dark, if you're in the scenario where nobody else has power...

[Colorado Luckydog]

Lots of different situations and shit to think about.

[rforsythe]

Out of curiosity, what do you *need* a genny for? I'm having a hard time coming up with things that couldn't be handled with solar chargers or hand-crank-type items, or done with less convenience but less/no power usage. That includes everything on your list at the top. You won't run a house on it, but then again do you really need or want to? And +1 on staying inconspicuous, which means making as little noise as possible, and not being the one glowing room in a sea of darkness. Also gen's need fuel, which would likely become a highly sought-after commodity (along with food and water). Learning how to get along without it means you're that much less dependent on something you may not be able to reliably find, especially if you're trying to make it several hundred miles.

Just my $0.02 though, this is a good forum with lots of solid advice. Enjoying reading it.

[refryguy]

so do lights on after dark, if you're in the scenario where nobody else has power...

I've invested in some really good solar cells. I use big yacht DC batteries and keep them charged with a couple of 120volt 12 amp solar cells. It keeps my heater, lights, and water pump in my trailer running all night and day. I can also run TV's, laptops, etc with no problems. If its really cold the blower motor on the heater takes a lot out of the batteries but usually lasts until day time then recharges pretty quick.

[BigBear]

On bugging out to get to your Oklahoma place....

Make sure that isn't your plan A. Think of the logistics involved of traveling x amount of miles. The gear needed, pressure on teh car, gas, family, etc. In a worst case situation, you'd be traveling on major highways with millions of other people vying to find the "perfect spot". Then you have to think about road blocks, criminals, police/militaty, etc. What about when you stop to refill? Who says someone won't shoot you and take your car, etc... I've just never thought bugging out to some remote location should be the first option. Just my two cents.

What I was going to write about was your communications.... In a "situation" which is undefined, we do not know whether coms will be operational or not. Obvisouly with a nuc, the EMP will take out certain structures, etc. With a regular ICBM, just infrastructure, etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is that one of those $40 shortwave/AM/FM crank radios you can pick up at Radio Shack should be fine for the intermediate time you are traveling or getting situated. HAM radios would be nice, but it's no garuntee that Jack, John, Bob, and Sue Ellen will have one too. Also, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have small mile or so range handhelds for your family when/if you're hunting or away. No garuntees that cell towers, etc will still be operational.... plus lots of baterries. Believe it or not but you can rig up batteries with glass jars, potatoes, and a few other things - I'll try to find that diagram, something we did back in my boyscouts days. Had like a two hour charge off a simple potatoe.