Those that recommended 'One Second After'

[mcantar18c]

Sure it's not that difficult, when no one else is doing it. But what about when EVERYONE else is doing it at the same time? Just like the difference between shopping at Walmart on a Wednesday morning and shopping at Walmart 16 hours after an earth quake.

That's why I said the biggest concern will be dealing with two-legged threats. Its much easier to E/E with just you, rather than with an untrained group or in a known position.

[mcantar18c]

I have parts and I will give it a good home...

Its all yours bud.
Seriously, its for sale

[Irving]

I'm not talking about just being by yourself, I mean when every other dummy is out trying to do the same thing. Kind of like camping on Memorial Day Weekend. Just something to think about. The more remote the better, except for the getting there part.

I wish I had land with a cave on it.

[Ridge]

The only thing I took away from that book was how retarded the main character was. He wrote THE report on an EMP attack, the one the government follows. And yet he can't see the signs of the actual event when it happens for, what, a couple days??

[mcantar18c]

I'm not talking about just being by yourself, I mean when every other dummy is out trying to do the same thing. Kind of like camping on Memorial Day Weekend. Just something to think about. The more remote the better, except for the getting there part.

I wish I had land with a cave on it.

I know what you're saying. What I'm getting at is that a lone individual with the proper know-how can travel light and fast, E/E well, and self-sustain without much trouble.
Once you get away from the main travel routes, which is pretty easy on foot (ditch the car on 258, hump a few miles away perpendicular to the highway and then get back on your bearing) and avoid the paths of least resistance when possible, I imagine human contact would be few and far between and easily avoided if you can spot them first.
Your average idiot in this day and age will not have much experience on land nav, surviving off the land, etc. and most likely wouldn't last long. Every other dummy might go out and try to do the same thing, but I doubt many will actually be successful.

[mcantar18c]

The only thing I took away from that book was how retarded the main character was. He wrote THE report on an EMP attack, the one the government follows. And yet he can't see the signs of the actual event when it happens for, what, a couple days??

If you had all the signs and symptoms of cancer, you'd try and justify it to yourself by any other diagnosis you can think of before accepting it. Human nature.

[Irving]

I guess don't really need to keep expressing the idea that the end of civilization will be more difficult than it is now.

[mcantar18c]

I guess don't really need to keep expressing the idea that the end of civilization will be more difficult than it is now.

Yes, you're right. But "more difficult" is not "too difficult to reasonably accomplish" with the right skillset.

[hollohas]

This kind of thing didn't really scare me until I had my daughter. Now she just turned 2 and this and similar scenarios scare the shit out of me. Caring for just my wife and I during TEOTWAWKT didn't seem that daunting but caring for a 2 year when SHTF? That's a whole 'nother ballgame that keeps me up at night. The logistics alone become 100 times more complicated.

I have to keep her safe no matter what. But how?

All those things we talk about doing if SHTF go out the window with a 2 year old. Bug In? That's easiest, especially with a toddler. But I live in suburbia and I am sure that any crisis over a couple weeks will become violent and dangerous where I live. Sure you can hold off BGs from breaking in by shooting them but can you keep them from burning your house down when they get pissed that you keep shooting down their robbery attempts? Nope.

So I will most likely have to Bug Out. Not a problem with adults. But harder and nearly impossible with toddlers without motorize transportation. Long distance and potentially necessary stealthy travel on foot is not possible with little kids. Bug Out on foot with adults is a valid option but with kids, a working vehicle is a must.

Supplies? She will need food a little different than I could survive on but it's doable. Stocking up on diapers, etc can be done too (she will be out of them soon anyway). And sure, I can keep plenty of supplies at home to last a long time or load enough to G.O.O.D. for a short period of time. But, the Bug In and Out problems I discussed above still apply. Not specific to kids but they complicate it a bit.

When SHTF will it happen within hours, days or weeks? If it happens quickly, will she be at daycare across town at the time? Will I be able to get to her? With my wife working across town we have agreed on a meeting point that we will get to on our own if forced to leave each other. But my daughter can't do that. I need to get to her.

Adults can arguably do just fine without a central location as many have discussed here. Many believe they can live off the land. But the foraging, scouting and defensive movements that are easy for adults and that provide a way to stay supplied and safe without a central location will be severely limited with little kids. A central, permanent and well supplied location is a must for little kids.

Long term (+1 year) survival? Will I have clothes, shoes, jackets, etc that fit her? She grows fast. Have those of you with kids thought about adding larger clothes and shoe sizes to your long term planning and storage? Not as easy as just having extra clothes for yourself is it...

EDIT: And I'll add the scariest thing for me, particular to an EMP situation like the book but not particular to kids like I posted above. I travel for work. I am out of the state at least 120 days per year. That's pretty sucky odds that I will not be able to get home and take care of my family in this type of situation...I need a new job...

[cofi]

got it yesterday around noon and finished it by 6....that has to be THE most depressing book i have ever read there isnt any little happy moments to break it up......

that being said im sending a copy to everyone in my family and the wife is forced to read it sat