I wouldn’t say that it is “never too late” to prepare for potential disaster because, obviously, the numerous economic and social catastrophes of the past have proven otherwise. There simply comes a point in time in which the ignorant and presumptive are indeed officially screwed. I will say that we have not quite come to that point yet here in the U.S., but the window of opportunity for preparation is growing very narrow.
As expected, U.S. stocks are now revealing the underlying instability of our economy, which has been festering for several years. Extreme volatility not seen since 2008/2009 has returned, sometimes with 1000 point fluctuations positive and negative in the span of only a couple days. Current market tremors are beginning to resemble the EKG of a patient suffering a heart attack.
Stocks are a trailing indicator, meaning that when an equities crash finally becomes visible to the mainstream public, it indicates that the economic fundamentals have been broken beyond repair for quite a while. What does this mean for those people who prefer to protect themselves and their families rather than wait to be drowned like lemmings in a deluge? It means they are lucky if they have more than a few months to put their house in order.
The process of crisis preparedness is not as simple as going on a gear-buying bonanza or making a few extra trips to Costco. That is better than nothing; but really, it’s a form of half-assed prepping that creates more of an illusion of survivabilty rather than providing ample security in the event that financial systems malfunction.
Much of what’s listed in this article will include training and infrastructure goals far beyond the usual standards of beans, bullets and Band-Aids.
Market turmoil has only just begun to take shape around the globe; and as I explained in my last article, the situation is only going to become exponentially worse as 2015 bleeds into 2016. I certainly cannot say for certain how long our system will remain “stable,” primarily because our current collapse could easily move faster or slower through the influence of outside or engineered events (a slower progression without any black swan-style triggers would likely end in total breakdown within the span of a couple years, rather than a fast progression ending in the span of a few months). What I can do is give you a conservative timeline for preparedness and offer examples of actions anyone can accomplish within that period. For now, my timeline is limited to six months or less, meaning these preparations should be undertaken with the intent to complete them in half a year. If you get more time than that, thank your lucky stars for the extension.
Find Two Family Members, Two Friends and One Neighbor Of Like Mind
Here is the bottom line: If you are going the route of the lone wolf or secret squirrel isolated from any community, then you are already dead. You might as well hand your food and supplies over to someone else with a better fighting chance. The lone wolf methodology is the worst possible strategy for survival. And if you look at almost every collapse scenario in history from Argentina to Bosnia to the Great Depression, it is always the people with strong community who end up surviving.
Going lone wolf is partially useful only if you have zero moral fortitude and you plan to rob or murder every other person you come across and then run. This is not the smartest idea either because it requires a person to constantly seek out violent contact in order to live day to day. Eventually, the lone wolf’s luck will run out no matter how vicious he is.
I’ve noticed that those people who promote lone wolf survivalism tend to lean toward moral relativism, though they rarely come right out and admit what their real plans are. I’ve also noticed that it is the lone wolves who also often attempt to shame average preppers into isolationism with claims of “OPSEC” (operations security) and warnings of neighbors ready to loot their homes at the first sign of unrest. “Don’t talk to anyone,” they say. “Your only chance is to hide.” One should consider the possibility that the lone wolves prefer that preppers never form groups or communities because that would make their predatory strategy more successful.
Without community, you have no security beyond the hope that people will not find you by chance. You also have limited skill sets to draw from (no one has the knowledge and ability to provide all services and necessities for themselves). And you will have no ability to rebuild or extend your lines of safety, food production, health services, etc. once the opportunity arises. If you cannot find two family members, two friends and one neighbor to work with you in the next six months, then you aren’t trying hard enough; and thus, frankly, you don’t deserve to survive. I’ve heard all the excuses before: “Everyone around me is blissfully ignorant,” “My family is addicted to their cellphones,” “All my friends are Keynesians” and so on. It doesn’t matter. No more excuses. Get it done. If I can do it, you can.
Approach Your Church, Veterans’ Hall Or Other Organization
What do you have to lose? Find an existing organization you belong to and see if you can convince them to pre-stage supplies or hold classes on vital skills. Keep your approach nonpolitical. Make it strictly about preparedness and training. If you can motivate a church or a veterans’ hall or a homeschoolers’ club to actually go beyond their normal parameters and think critically about crisis preparedness, then you may have just saved the lives of dozens if not hundreds or people who would have been oblivious otherwise. Making the effort to approach such groups could be accomplished in weeks, let alone six months.
Learn A Trade Skill
Take the next six months and learn one valuable trade skill, meaning any skill that would allow you to produce a necessity, repair a necessity or teach a necessary knowledge set. If you cannot do this, then you will have no capability to barter in a sustainable way. Remember this: The future belongs to the producers, and only producers will thrive post-collapse.
Commit To Rifle Training At Least Once A Week
Set aside the money and the ammo to practice with your primary rifle every week for the next six months. Yes, training uses up your ammo supply; but you are far better off sending a couple thousand rounds down range to perfect your shooting ability rather than letting that ammo sit in a box doing nothing while your speed and accuracy go nowhere.
Also, think in terms of real training methods, including speed drills, movement drills, reloading and malfunction clearing, and, most importantly, team movement and communications drills. Shooting a thousand rounds from a bench at the range is truly a waste of time and money. Train in an environment that matches your expected operational conditions. Make sure you are learning something new all the time and make sure you are actually challenged by the level of difficulty. If you are not getting frustrated, then you are not training correctly.
Create A Local Ham Network - Expand To Long Distance
A 5-watt ham radio can be had for about $40. With the flood of low-cost, Chinese-made radios on the market today, there is simply no excuse not to have one. If you want to get your ham license, then by all means do so and expand the number of available frequencies you can legally use. If you don’t have a license, practice on non-licensed channels such as MURS channels (yes, MURS is only supposed to be operated at 1 watt or less; I won’t tattle on you to the Federal Communications Commission if you use 5 watts).
A 5-watt handheld ham radio can easily achieve 30 miles or more depending on the type of antenna used. With repeaters, hundreds of miles can be covered. With a high frequency (HF) rig, hundreds or sometimes thousands of miles can be covered without the use of repeaters (though HF radios are far more expensive).
During a national disaster, there is no guarantee that normal communications will continue. Phone and Internet connections can be lost through neglect, or they can be deliberately eliminated by government entities. A nation or community without communications is lost. Find friends and family and set up your communications network now. Over time, your network may grow to cover a vast area; but it has to start with a core, and that core is you.
Learn Basic Emergency And Combat Medical Response
We are lucky in my area to have a few people with extensive medical knowledge in our Community Preparedness Team. I have received training in multiple areas of emergency and combat medical response, and I am grateful for access to such people because there is always more to learn in this field. If you do not have people on your team with medical experience, then you will have to seek out such classes where you can.
Local EMT classes are a good start, but these courses are very limited in scope and do not cover treatment as much as they cover the identification of particular problems. Almost no community courses I can think of delve into combat medical response. If you can’t find a private trainer in your area, then you will have to settle for Web videos. Purchase extra supplies such as Israeli or OLAES bandages and practice using them. Learn your CAT tourniquet until you can use it in the dark. My team even shot a Christmas ham and then pumped fake blood through it to simulate a wound for our blood-stopping class.
If you already have solid people with medical training, try focusing in a niche area like dental work. At the very least, learn your trauma-response basics and store your own medical supplies. Do not assume that you will have access to a hospital when you need it.
Store At Least One Year Of Food – Then Store Extra
With your current food stores can you make it at least one year without a grocery supply source? Can you make it through at least one planting and harvest season with 2000 – 3000 available calories per person? Do you have extra food for people you might wish to help?
Imagine you or your community come across an ER surgeon during a crisis situation, but he did not prepare. Are you going to “stick it to him” and let him starve because he didn't see the danger coming, or are you going to want to keep that guy and his skill sets around? Food preparedness is not as straightforward as it seems. You have to think in terms of your own survival, yes, but also in terms of individual aid. During a full spectrum collapse food is the key to everything. This is why governments like ours set up provisions for food confiscation. They know well that food is power. Without extra supply, communities struggle to form because people become hyper-focused on themselves and lose track of the bigger survival picture. Governments understand that if they can offer limited food to the desperate, they can control the desperate. Do what you can to make sure there are no desperate people within your sphere of influence and you remove the establishment's best mode of control.
Plan Your Food Independence In Advance
To survive you must become your own farmer. Period. Do you know how to do this in your particular climate? Have you accounted for pest control and bad weather conditions? Have you extended your growing season with the use of greenhouses? Are you planning your crops realistically? What provides more sustenance, a field of tomatoes or a field of potatoes? A planting box full of lettuce or of carrots? What crops can be stored the longest and are the hardiest against poor conditions? What gives you the best bang for your buck and for your labor?
I realize that the current growing season is almost at an end, but that does not mean you can't spend the next six months planning for the next season. Condition your soil for planting now. Store extra fertilizer and compost. Be ready for pests. Learn the square foot method as well as barrel planting. Take note of the space you have and how you can best use it. Stockpile seeds for several years of planting.
Train Your Mind To Handle Crisis
Panic betrays and fear kills. The preparedness culture is built upon the ideal that one must defeat fear in order to live. How a person goes about removing uncertainty from the mind is really up to the individual. For me, combat training and mixed martial arts is a great tool. If you get used to people trying to hurt you in a ring, it's not quite as surprising or terrifying when it happens in the real world. If you can handle physical and mental trauma in a slightly more controlled environment, then fear is less likely to take hold of you during a surprise disaster.
Six months may be enough time to enter a state of mental preparedness, it may not be, but more than anything else, this is what you should be focusing on. All other survival actions depend on it. Your ability to function personally, your ability to work with others, your ability to act when necessary, all rely on your removal of fear. Take the precious time you have now and ensure you are ready to handle whatever the future throws at you.
written by justjane , September 09, 2015
The current growing season is not at an end. There are many vegetables and lettuces that can continue to grow into the winter. In parts of the south, the season for certain foods is just beginning. Please if you have articles on growing food use the facts and save some lives in doing so.
written by GOD knows , September 09, 2015
Take out the government that's causing all this...there commenting treason anyway all of them..the three branches of government.....
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Justjane
The TYPICAL growing season is almost over for most regions, Jane. If you live in southern areas, then obviously you have a little more time than others, but I have lived in the south and grown gardens in the south, and the growing season there is NOT "just beginning". In fact, growing season usually ended in Florida by mid October which is four weeks away.
I have extended my own growing season in Montana through the use of greenhouses, but this goes beyond normal seasonal growing for many people. There are many methods to extending your growing period, but very few have the money to invest in year around planting at levels needed to sustain nutrition on a daily basis.
Also, this article is an OVERVIEW of survival necessities and a challenge to liberty activists to attain certain goals within six months. It is not an in-depth examination of survival gardening methods which can take YEARS to master. Unfortunately, you do not seem to understand the difference...
written by Stacie , September 09, 2015
Not everyone has the finances to accomplish this list of survival steps. Great advice and certainly helpful but not every "excuse" for not being prepared is surmountable. Our community is deaf to repeated warnings and appear to be solidly wrapped up in the material world so as to be unable to see what's on the horizon. If we were able to move it would have already been done! I have lived through martial law and peace corp training so I will certainly use those skills, but experience has shown me that the crisis has to occur before the majority actually SEE. Thank you for your time and energy~ all that you shared is of value and has solid merit! Be safe and God Bless!
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Stacie
Most of these steps require little to no money whatsoever. They are steps towards organization and education.
In some cases peppers remain isolated for legitimate reasons, but I have been doing this for a long time now and have dealt with thousands upon thousands of liberty activists, and in most cases the reality is they just haven't put in the work necessary to make organization happen.
If every prepper put in as much time and effort into organizing as they have put into gear collecting, they would be far more successful. I think people take it as a criticism when bringing up their lack of organization and community, but this is a matter of SURVIVAL. Organization is paramount, even if it is with a few family members and friends. I'll say it again, if you don't have community, you will not survive. If you want to survive, you will make community a priority. There is ALWAYS a way to build a neighborhood watch or a community preparedness team. Make the effort, do not give up, and it will happen.
written by justanobserver , September 09, 2015
Brandon,
With one of the clowns (a half-wit economist at Citigroup) who wanted to end the existence of physical cash now saying that dropping money from helicopters might be necessary to keep up the illusion of economic growth and recovery, I think it is a good thing you are extending your time frame for economic collapse.
That said, preparedness should always be practiced.
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Observer
They won't be dropping cash anywhere, I believe. QE is over, and the central banks know that renewed stimulus will do nothing to divert the current downturn. I do think they will drag out the process of raising rates until the end of the year, but you never know, they might just pull the plug this month. If they do raise rates a week from now, expect that the crash will move quickly due to the market shock this will cause. If they don't raise rates until the end of the year, then we may have another six months - a year after that to prepare.
written by shirley k , September 09, 2015
I have read a number of articles on preparedness, but have seen no article addressing 55 plus communities. I live in Florida and as you know there are hundreds of these communities. With the HOA rules we are very limited as to what we do in our small yards. Also, it appears from my contacts that seniors live in a different world mentally and seem to be oblivious to what is happening in our country other than to complain about it. So, other than move, do you have any suggestions?
written by Molly Maguire , September 09, 2015
I have actually run into people who LOVE the Bush family! Are they crazy? These so-called "Elite" don't care a rat's petootie about any of us-even useful people like doctors and scientists! They want us dead as an alien race wants this planet WITHOUT us and has promised the elite more money and power than they can possibly think of! We are only a problem to be destroyed-not a precious creation of God! Heck, these folks serve and worship satan-think of war as 'satanic sacrifice' and you know their mind-set! Given what we know, why the hesitation for bringing them into 'harm's way' while we still can?
written by justanobserver , September 09, 2015
Brandon,
I agree.
Why make the empty suited sniveling worm currently chanting "economic recovery" and "happy days are here again" look like the vileness he is when kicking the can is what elites do best.
So, do they finally nail the coffin shut on capitalism (which we have not seen in decades) or do they bury the vile corpse of central planning/socialism/capitalism in 2017?
Since capitalism denotes opportunity it does not seem likely the control freaks will opt for going back to that.
Let's see which POS gets to run for POTUS/POSTUS.
written by Mikie , September 09, 2015
Brandon,
You make a excellent point about community. Community will be key to getting through the tough times in the future.
regards
Mike
written by ThomasR , September 09, 2015
After reading Elliot Coleman's Four Season Harvest and New Oganic Grower i am convinced that ANYONE can grow a sucessful garden year round, it may take spending your money on stuff like a small greenhouse and a roll of Agribon row cover rather than more bullets but is money well spent, if he can grow crops year round in Maine then certainly it can be done in most areas.
Im pretty fortunate to live where we truly do have year round growing seasons, so i dont think about it, but even here people get stuck in thinking only certain stuff grows in certain seasons, the only exceptions ive found are pak choy witch always will bolt if planted in May and once in a while corn that doesnt germinate so good in jan through march (only in areas high as or higher than mine) and this can be remedied with an Agribon AG19 cover for the seed.
I have a friend in Co who has converted a sun room into a greenhouse, is attached to the house and has a huge stone veneer wall directly under a bunch of big glass panels, it requires only minimal additional heat (small wood furnace) and stays quite comfy during even the coldest months,, well worth the investment in order to have fresh greens and tomatoes and peppers in February,
Yes it may take some money, but IMHO money well spent.
As for collapse and community etc, its a crap shoot, we could just see a steady drip torture of degrading conditions or see sawing conditions for the rest of our lives, but who knows, (NOBODY)
Personally its more about adopting a more self sufficient lifestyle, constantly focusing on doom and gloom is a burn out, no offense Brandon but I cant picture the average 40something earthy prepper lady or guy out running drills with his or her AR,, maybe shooting IPSC or three gun or getting some extra trigger time and the occasional hunt, but lets face it, most folks dont have the mindset nor the desire to get so wraped up in all this as to think they will suddenly be able to become GI Joe/Jane, certainly most dont have the desire, nor the real luxury of time and money to even shoot IPSC.
Life is busy, no excuses here, just reality, between the gardens, farm, harvesting, packing, deliveries, home repairs, yard work, etc, etc, etc, lifes full, thats my dayly routine, and i know im not the only one, so, living and enjoying and striving for independence and such, IS the reality of day to day,
Smell the roses, they never last forever
written by JJ, a girl , September 09, 2015
There is ALWAYS a way to build a neighborhood watch or a community preparedness team.
Say what????
Oh, hell, yeah. Bring on more moochers you will have to fight for those foods and supplies you paid for, packed home, sacrificed a room for, dehydrated, vacuum sealed, canned and much more!!!!
The one and only neighbor(and his wife who 3 years ago had ovarian cancer) I am even comtemplating letting in is a non-stop smoker (as is his wife). He has 30 types of guns, he hunts, he fishes, and knows how to shoot!!!
NOTE: I am allergic to any smoke, dust, and dirty air so this is a sacrifice on my part!!
Oh, in 4 years, one neighbor is on her 4th new car!! 4TH!!!
When discussing food scarcity, one neighbor said if it gets that bad she'd rather die. My response?? You will.!!!
written by Wynn , September 09, 2015
I would say most of this information, in this article, is good advice. There is no-way, however, I'm talking about my emergency preparations to a bunch of brain dead zombies (blood related or not) that would walk into a water fountain or fall into a storm drain, while texting if it was in their path of travel. My neighbor that has a schedule of restaurants he uses as his food source; no f 'n way. First, they wouldn't listen to me and think I'm a wack-job. Secondly, those s.o.b would rat you out to government scum in a second, for reward or food; the first time their stomach grumbled. Seek out churches.... ??? You mean the ones that are 501-C3 tax exempt and are one of the primary facilitators of illegal alien migration into the U.S and follow all government orders ??? No thanks... I'll keep my mouth shut around those people.
written by Freddie , September 09, 2015
I would like nothing better than to hook up with a few people ie friends neighbors or family that know what's coming. The neighbors that are owners keep totally to themselves so you can't even broach the subject, the rest are renters who aren't here long enough to get to know, every friend I've tried to broach the subject with as well as family members think I'm a conspiracy nut so I've learned to keep my mouth shut. I don't like being a lone wolf but there doesn't seem to be a choice. Any other suggestions? I'm a 70yr old female o I'm pretty limited in a number of ways.
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Thomas R
"Personally its more about adopting a more self sufficient lifestyle, constantly focusing on doom and gloom is a burn out, no offense Brandon but I cant picture the average 40something earthy prepper lady or guy out running drills with his or her AR,, maybe shooting IPSC or three gun or getting some extra trigger time and the occasional hunt, but lets face it, most folks dont have the mindset nor the desire to get so wraped up in all this as to think they will suddenly be able to become GI Joe/Jane, certainly most dont have the desire, nor the real luxury of time and money to even shoot IPSC...."
We have men and women here in the 50-70 age range who do EXACTLY THAT. If they can do it, anyone can. It's amazing to me how people set themselves up for failure by assuming what can and cannot be done before they ever try to do it.
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@JJ
Yes, there is ALWAYS A WAY. If you don't have at least a small group of people put together, then YOU have not tried hard enough. Period. Don't get caught up in bullshit excuses about "smoking" and "four cars" and certainly don't waste time trying to feed them to me here. I'll say it again - bottom line, if you do not have community, YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE A COLLAPSE.
I am trying to help you out, here. If it is difficult to put a group together where you live, then TRY HARDER. I never said you must invite "moochers" into your confidence. I am talking about other prepared people. And, I have dealt with literally hundreds of thousands of preppers all over the country, some of them living right next to each other and they didn't even know it because they never made the effort to find out. IF you are completely isolated without any friends, family, or neighbors (except the smoker....oh boy), then I would be very surprised. Stop whining and get to work if you want to live.
written by Mikie , September 09, 2015
Brandon,
Funny you would mention approaching church, etc. Recently I made a comment to our pasture about how things were declining and the need to make basic preparation and he looked at me kind of strange and changed to subject quickly. It's funny, but it's clear I won't be the one trying to save his ass when the sh@# hits the fan.
The best advice I can give folks here is to simply broach the comment to your friends, neighbors, etc. and you will be very surprised whom is awake and whom is asleep. Then start interacting with the people that are awake. Because of this approach I now have a network of neighbors and friends that I can connect with.
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Mikie
I take this subject very seriously because it is paramount to the survival of the movement and most people have not even made the attempt to organize, making constant excuses as to why it is "impossible". I applaud you for your efforts.
Keep in mind that if your pastor is hostile to the idea of preparedness he may be working for FEMA, as many pastors unfortunately are (this is an openly admitted program). At least by approaching him you now know where he stands. Many people would wait until the SHTF just to find that out. I would simply go around him and start a preparedness discussion group among church members .
written by Cecil the Lion , September 09, 2015
The consensus seems to be storing at least a year of food. Before it was several days, to several months and now one group is even saying 2 years minimum.
written by ThomasR , September 09, 2015
I know more than a few peeps doing that as well, and some of them you would never guess it, so yea, I get it, the flip side is i know some folks who are wayyyy too serious about this stuff and are going to get people killed and in trouble before anything even happens,
The one thing that has stuck for me is the comment that when the bullets start flying all plans are out the window,
I prefer the bullets stay inthe box unless they are flying at paper, pork or axis deer! If i gotta fight my way to the garden and back every day and guard it like its a pile of gold im just going to plow it all under and sit tight. Not into it, i want to survive just as much as the next guy but not if im going tohave a miserable existence thanks, i am hopeful for much better than total chaos from our nice little comunity here, but then again people become a bunch of freakin nice littlecollectivist when they aint got shit,,,
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Thomas
That is exactly the reason why preppers need groups and communities, for mutual security. That way, they won't have to fight to their garden every day. In fact, with a strong enough community most potential threats would be immediately deterred without a fight. Predators generally seek out easy prey (i.e. people like JJ above worried more about first world problems rather than third world problems).
written by StarvinLarry , September 09, 2015
Our local church has given me permission to teach a series of grid down cooking classes,which will begin in Nov.
I spent over 20 years as executive chef,and I can promise that people will be getting violently ill from foods not prepared correctly,not held at a hot enough or cold enough temp before serving,or from unsanitized utensils,pots,pans,silverware,cups,bowls,plates etc.
Cooking for a group of people in any grid down/disaster/societal collapse etc. is nothing like cooking Thanksgiving dinner at aunt Millie's,or holding a BBQ for the guys from work-it's a lot of work,and there are many,many procedures that must be followed-or you WILL get people sick.
You can not live on MRE's or Mountain House,etc. for very long,that's why the military has MKT's-(Mobile Kitchen Trailers)-and feeds freshly cooked hot chow to front line troops.
If you have a group of people,a community, whatever- You need to get several people trained in proper sanitation and storage,prep,cooking,holding and serving foods.
Again,cooking for a lot of people,even for a few days is a hell of a lot of work,and there are multiple ways you will get people violently ill unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Very few people even consider how they are going to set up a field kitchen,pre-soak,wash,rinse,and sanitize pots,pans,utensils,and all the trays/plates,silverware,cups,bowls,etc without the aid of dish machines-or hot water tanks,or an endless supply of potable water.
Think about it-learn the correct methods of every step in the process,get hard copies of recipes,measuring methods,conversion tables for substitutions in cooking/baking,and learn what equipment you will need.
Those who don't learn now will end up with their entire group grabbing the TP and running for the latrines.
written by Ramjet , September 09, 2015
Fortunately I live in the country and believe most of the farmers here are already pretty self sufficient. The few scattered "other" houses I don't want to know. I have worked to prepare. I cann, raise a garden, have animals and have defensive plans. There are some that talk about bugging out, good by. Prepping is not something you do, it's a way of life if you're in the right environment. Here in the country we live a simple rich life. God, guns, family and country.
The politicians have abandoned us. The city folk are stupid. I don't think the 6 month time period is relevant because it will be 6 months until what? Business as usual? A new government? New money? All of the illegals will be gone home? Martial law is over? I kind of look at it as either a "the Postman" mixed with "Red Dawn" and some "Mad Max", "1984", "Book of Eli" and "Animal Farm" all mixed together. Money, gold and silver won't be relevant. Barter town will be open for business. We eagerly await the change.
written by lrb , September 09, 2015
Edibles set your mind first. Berries the darker color the better. Shiney and white are toxic to deadley. If you are unsure chew well, dont swollow hold in mouth for at least 7minutes. If any od feeling stinging or bad taste reaction spit out. Don't not eat for days then start foraging. Mushrooms can be very bad. Check if animals local to the area do or dont eat. Trap a rat or mouse cage and tame it some use him as a guinea pig. Learn habits of animals and how to trap and snair. How to hunt silently. Good physical shape and tried and conditioned clothes boots, sleeping conditions. A laser can blind , blind animals are easier. Fat lazy know nothing people have no self discipline. Just what you dont need. Get a bow its quiet. Good survival knife bug out pack, fish hooks line, clear plastic, black plastic. Save old milk jugs, good cover for plants if freezing at night. Study Russians ability to garden in cold weather. 50Gal drums will warm water through day water your plants with it in evening. Gives plants heat for night. Police attorneys gov. Employees are takers stay clear of them in your contact. Study edible wild plants in your area. Do trial runs in survival mode. A couple 10 dayers will improve your understanding of need and want. Pepper and ammonia works on noses. Bears cant take ammonia from a squirt bottle in the face. Equip a basic bugout pack, then build larger with snairs, hooks line traps, ext clothes hooks tools hatchet medical light and then heavy medical. Sterno heat. Styrofoam melted in gass sealed in container is a good instant fire starter or weapon. Women usually are physicaly aged 10 years younger if you are considering a partner. You will have enemies depending on conditions so analise and mark-grade risks. Military-incarcerated have more self discipline and understand team work better. A grey hound dog is fast enough to catch running deer and hold till you get there with your little pocket knife. I have seen them fast enough to grab turkeys as they take flight. Best ears and many times fantastic noses that work while traveling at 15-20miles ph. Get a dental tec. To build their canines up with dull razer blades for real serious attack. Second choice Doberman s. Not as good for hunting but a little berrer in colder weather. Try an extended outing tn the worst weather. Then consider how much easier it would be in a warmer climate. Snakes are easier than elk if you cant take the freezing montana winter exposed to the eliments. Over weight will kill you before you can lose it.
written by Peter0351 , September 09, 2015
I don't have a Preparedness grogroup as such. I have been trying to take the slow and steady approach, in that I talk about many of these topics with friends, family, and trusted coworkers. While I haven't found anybody quite so dedicated as me (well maybe one recently), I have received a great deal of good feedback. Many people agree with me in many respects, and have agreed that my place is a good place to head. I've also made it clear that I expect them to contribute. They respect me and will follow my orders in a crisis I believe. Some of them have some good supplies to contribute as well. My mother is, if not on the same page, close to it. She has food stores. I suppose in my case it's all informal, with some general consensus regarding initial response. Just no formal training and practicing. You are right that I need to do more, I'm just trying not to freak people out. However, I, along with a long time friend and war buddy have identified a good evac point which is isolated and supplied, with the support of some of his family. I think that, combined with our skills and the help of the others who respect us, we can make something work as is. But I definitely have a long way to go. I suppose I've just been hoping to have more time. I finally got a better job (1st paycheck tomorrow!) , so I can definitely afford more personal measures, so perhaps the time is now.
written by justjane , September 09, 2015
I am from Montana. Not only am I from Montana but spent some winters outside with either a tee-pee or a sheepherders wagon. There are greens that you can plant that will live under the snow. Some cabbages, cauliflower and some carrots can go into January. The use of covers, straw bales and cloches will extend the season. You can develop a small type of greenhouse that is far less costly than a regular sized one. There are things which are cheap, which are called 'Micro-greens'.-----Such a cynical attitude for such a young man. Perhaps you should learn from others, instead of just snapping back at those you could learn from.
written by Brandon Smith , September 09, 2015
@Justjane
I grow during the winter in Montana as well (you have nothing to teach me in that area) but AGAIN, you don't seem to be smart enough to grasp the basic concept of this article, which is preparations that can be made in SIX MONTHS TIME. I've been a gardener most of my life, and if you think a person can learn year around gardening within six months (even if they are starting from more than a basic knowledge level) then you know very little about the subject for someone so contrary. It takes around six months time just to prepare to learn seasonal gardening; It takes YEARS to master seasonal gardening, and if a person changes regions they have to start over almost from scratch. Anyone who claims otherwise is simply lying about their abilities. Some prepper "gardeners" are almost as bad as armchair tacticians and gun "experts" when it comes to keeping their mouths shut and taking the context into consideration. They are so desperate to show off they end up embarrassing themselves.
I'm not saying that people should not try. I am saying that year long gardening is NOT the subject of this article because it is not something that can be achieved in six months.
You are apparently too busy being blindly contrary to notice that your points are irrelevant to the subject matter.
written by ThomasR , September 10, 2015
Hell, even when you know what your doing its a crap shoot sometimes, we have had so much rain this year the crops just rot in the field, frustrating to say the least, at least for my home garden we have a tunnel and greenhouse.
Re your comment above, regarding comunity group etc,
Thats why ill do the work to help feed the neighboehood, and the good old boys can keep the riff raff out, their not exactly preppers but then again our island isnt like anywhere on your continent, so things will be a bit different, all my neighbors pretty much grew up right here or have been here for a long long time, lots of real good folks, it will come together. Small steps,
written by Brandon Smith , September 10, 2015
@Thomas
Exactly. All it takes is one oversight and a large portion of your crop can be destroyed. Really the only way to ensure any measure of success (in a difficult region most of all) is to master greenhouse gardening and spend a good chunk of cash on the plastic and frames. People who think they'll have time to worry about constant pest control, weeding, bad weather, etc. during a collapse are fooling themselves. People who garden as a hobby like to make it sound easy as pie, but when your life depends on those crops you start to realize how truly difficult the whole process is during regular growing season, let alone year around. If a person can master standard season planting and harvesting, they are way ahead of the curve. I know preppers who have stockpiles of seed and they've never planted a one.
written by PapaSwamp , September 10, 2015
2 huge items missing... Fresh water and sanitation. Unless you are on a well ( requires pump unless artesian) and septic, you will run out of water and be up to your ankles in poop in short order. Clean water and good sanitation are keey to keeping small injuries small and preventing disease outbreak ( things like cholera will run rampant very quickly). Tiolets will back up as sewage treatment plants shutdown. The worst is the sewers will backup...you know that manhole cover outside in the street that says sewer. Low lying coastal areas will be effected more quickly since lift stations are required to move the poo.
Being competent with a rifle requires training...going to the range by yourself can create bad habits. For most, a shotgun will do well and can solve most city and suburban problems. Again take a class. Movement inside a building with a rifle or shotgun requires training.
The group should be no fewer than 20. Yes its more mouths to feed, but it ensures a large skillset, and plenty of hands to not only do tasks needed, but allow rest time. Rest during high stress times is extremely important. Lack of rest results in exhaustion, degrading health ( suceptability to disease/ infection) and poor decision making. Literally lack of sleep can get you killed.
written by new guy , September 10, 2015
I like this site, the comments are starting to get pretty good, and the content is spot on for people who are awake.
There is one area not really mentioned, maybe it's too obvious, but...
start building a surplus of assets outside of the "system" that you can use for barter.
The ATMs will be empty in 2 days or less, do you have enough cash to survive for a few months on hand?
do you have some old silver coins you can trade for food or favors?
There is always be a need for cash or other forms of stored value, that can be used for trade/barter.
The fact is, not everyone will need to be in the garden all the time, and a group will survive better if there is a division of labor. once you get to that level, you will need some form of stored value.
written by Jetman , September 10, 2015
I'm writing a book on the topic - Brandon answers a question that someone had recently asked me but had given an even shorter timeline.
Q: "If we knew, without a doubt, that the S was going to HTF in 8 weeks what would I need to do to be as prepared as possible?"
1. Mindset, body and nutrition. Practice readiness.
2. Find a Group and a rural location that has the best chance of rapidly coming back online.
3. Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield – IPB.
4. Develop a network of assistance alliances.
5. Preposition your logistics & pick your location.
6. Get the security tools of the trade and learn how to use them effectively.
The battlefield may be your home, but it should extend from there to your retreat as well. IPB means that you’re as informed as possible about what goes on in your personal battlefield. It’s slightly separate of mindset, but it needs to be present in your mind in all times as well as probably committed to paper or at least an overlay of map information that you can visually refer to, and refer others to.
1a. Mindset – find your motivation. Find your higher power or your reason to live. Grasp onto it and let it guide you every waking moment. Your kids / parents / friends / wife needs you. That’s your biggest motivation. Horrible things will happen if you’re not around. Second biggest. How to keep horrible things from happening – third biggest. Take the RED PILL, in that you accept that bad things are about to happen and that you will never be the same. Decide to survive. Make that decision every single time you wake up.
1b. Body - Exercise and eat for fitness as much as possible, getting as physically strong as possible without risk of injury – hard to do. Crash course in combat tactics for the firearms you now have for you and any adults who would be part of your group. Figure out what you can carry, how far you can carry it, and prepare for contingencies.
1c. Nutrition / Food - Food supply prepositioned along your retreat axis of movement in case you had to skedaddle. Raise chickens and rabbits at your homestead, preferably in a remote area with friends of yours that you absolutely trust. 8 weeks can give you a serious head start on the homesteading, but you need a safe base of operations no matter what. Make sure that you have personal stashes in just about every direction under every rock if you have to. Have a plan and a backup plan.
2. Group – everyone has to sleep sometime. Figure out who you can trust and whether they are red pill takers (Matrix) or not. Eventually one of the top three survivor groups (prisoners, police/military, homeless) will come across your path. You need to have your own crew who can provide a joint defense and organize security 24/7.
3. Practice. Dedicate five hours a week to keeping yourself fit and keeping your gear in the front of your mind. There’s a reason I brought so much stuff out into the Mojave – to figure out what works and what doesn’t there is a lot of trial and effort. Camping trips are perfect for that because you have nothing else to do but work your gear. Backpacking trips are even better, but you are limited in the gear you can work being only what you carry. Practice dealing with people, reading their intent and categorizing them as allies or potential threats. Practice teamwork with your family and your team.
4. Location, location, location. Joel Skousen has several articles as well as a book and DVD on the topic. He goes through a methodology that is extremely detailed, and the location we’ve picked pretty much works according to both Skousen and Rawles philosophies.
5. Security tools of the trade – acquire the tools and learn how to defend yourself not only within a house but also on the run or during a drive in a car.
6. Tools such as weapons, perhaps 3-gun competition with shotgun, pistol and AR style rifle.
written by Diane D , September 10, 2015
@Shirley k, I too lived in a 55-plus community in Florida, complete with liberty-destroying HOA rules and regulations. And as another mentioned, I attended a government-controlled 501(c)3 church.
Like the saying goes, you can't chose your relatives but you can change the people you are with. Bottom line: We moved to Montana to be with a Liberty church full of like-minded people. Many are now our neighbors. Yes it was hard, but moving when retired is much easier than those with young families. It can be done. We did it and 'never looked back'.
written by Joe Blow , September 10, 2015
"Find Two Family Members, Two Friends and One Neighbor Of Like Mind"
This should be the easiest of measures; however, anyone who lives in an urban built-up area knows that multiculturism has destroyed all social capital in American big cities. Nobody talks to anybody, everybody lives glued to their smartphones, and don't get me started on the demographics. Non-whites only care about extracting money from this society. Urban whites tend to be effeminate, hipster, bohemian liberal, or lifestyle degenerates. Half the population looks bizarre or obese. Walking outside is surreal: contact with some dystopian nightmare of late-stage empire. Contrary to what progressives claim, this collapse isn't the sole fault of the elites. Honestly just look around you.
written by Brandon Smith , September 10, 2015
@Joe
I had friends organized for prepping and mutual aid when I lived in the city. It can be done. I understand the difficulty all too well, but the point is, people have to try, otherwise they will be contributing to their own isolation and downfall.
written by pelletfarmer , September 10, 2015
"Going lone wolf is partially useful only if you have zero moral fortitude and you plan to rob or murder every other person you come across and then run."
I happen to agree that lone wolf isn't optimal for me, but I don't know how one could conclude from a choice of it, that another person necessarily has zero moral fortitude. The claim fairly straightforwardly is that any person who chooses to go lone wolf is either a fool or evil. Quite a leap IMO, and I do know of exceptions.
I'm just waiting for the day folk turn their attention away from what others are doing, and focus instead the way it makes sense---on themselves. It's the only thing they can change anyway...without being a thug, I mean.
written by Brandon Smith , September 10, 2015
@Pelletfarmer
Please read the sentence again. I stated that it is only partially USEFUL for someone with zero moral fortitude, NOT that people who choose the lone wolf strategy have no morals. But yes, if someone chooses that particular strategy rather than group or community defense they are indeed foolish because they will die in a collapse scenario. This is not speculation, this is what has occurred in every single collapse event in history. Groups live, lone wolves die or they end up joining a group.
written by RDG , September 10, 2015
We are all so caught up in the idea of market price, the result of supply and demand with its concomitant buy/sell spread. But does a 20,000 acre ranch have an intrinsic value in a crash?
written by Brandon Smith , September 10, 2015
@RDG
Absolutely, if you can keep it. Land is life. Land can provide food, shelter, and a place to establish security. Not only that, but private property is an intrinsic and undeniable value of a free society. Land is the most valuable commodity of all - before, during and after a crash.
written by BillyR , September 11, 2015
"There simply comes a point in time in which the ignorant and presumptive are indeed officially screwed."
Best sentence I have read in a long time! Thanks for the dose of truth and laugh about a very serious subject!
written by Delroy , September 12, 2015
Hard times are coming and this article and comment section has some good info.
I grew up in the desert SW on a remote ranch; gravity fed water we hauled in, generator or kerosene lanterns, and twice monthly trips to town for supplies. It was tolerable when everything is up and running but a lot different when you are on your own. I laugh at the romanticized notion of an eco freak utopia or mad Max dystopian lifestyle; neither would be pleasant or long lasting.
KSAs trump stuff almost every time. Like stated above, out of shape people are in a world of trouble when the pot starts boiling. Exercise is free but you have to start yourself.
written by Tammmed , September 12, 2015
I want to ask a question here. The big crash '08 did not affect my family nor anyone we knew. Why is this one different?
I'm a little shell-shocked from the y2k uproar and am teased to this very day for all the prepping we did and then nothing whatsoever happening.
I'm personally all for diving in w a community and organizing but not even my husband is really interested mostly because it was me that initiated the y2k prep thing.
written by Brandon Smith , September 12, 2015
@Tammed
Real preppers do not prep with a specific crisis in mind or a specific date. They prep because a crisis can occur at ANY time and it makes sense to have provisions in place regardless. However, the crash of 2008 was merely a market event. The credit collapse was a long time in development before it. Stocks are NOT a primary indicator of a collapsing economy, they are a trailing indicator. The real collapse has been taking place over the past decade, and we are closing in on the final progressions. You may not have been affected by the 2008 crash, but many people lost their jobs and over 100 million remain unemployed. The next event may very well destroy your job, or even worse, your money's buying power.
written by Gina Sinese , September 14, 2015
Brandon, this is my first time here and some of the comments reflect what I've noticed in many people when discussions turn to being prepared - can't, won't, non-whites, foreigners nonsense.
Maybe it's me, but I remember and came through the "recession" of 1970, and lived on an island where every-little-thing had to be shipped in. Gas lines are no fun, so if you have an ATV, snow mobile or other items needing fuel you might want to think what happens when there isn't any. Could be a mighty long walk in the dead of winter to get fuel for heat.
I'm speaking to the women who are in their 50s, 60s and beyond who are allowing others (HOA) to dictate whether they survive or not. Put on your big girl panties and do what you have to do.
What I've done since the 70s isn't called prepping, it's common sense called "Do what you must yourself".
Know nothing about shooting a weapon? Ask a cop where to learn or look for a gun club in your area.
Can't grow year round? Lean hydroponics in your bathroom. There are vasts amount of one acre farming and hydroponics books, dvds and so forth at your local library or online.
Health problems? Start figuring out how you'll get your meds if there's no mail delivery and the pharmacy shuts down. Stockpiling some meds isn't advisable because of shelf life, but most medicines have an expiration date that is renewable up to a year. Check with your doctor.
No local preparedness group means you have choices to make: Stay put and hope for the best or move where there are others who have come through disasters of all kinds and make friends.
No one has all the answers, not even Brandon and definitely not me. But at some point your prejudices, lack of motivation and fear may cost you your life.
Oh and for the others, don't forget that cash is going to be your "calling card" in an early disaster of any kind. Those living on islands know, you need to have some cold, hard currency in small bills for emergencies that barter isn't possible.
When a tornado, hurricane, Tsunami, earthquake hits (much less a SHTF scenario), the plan is to get out alive and in one piece if you can. Those waiting for 'First Responders' are called victims. You are the first responder, remember that.
written by Brandon Smith , September 14, 2015
@Gina
I agree. I hear age used as an excuse all the time against prepping, yet I know plenty of squared away preppers nearly twice my age. It's not a matter of age, it's a matter of guts - does a person have the guts, the fortitude, to face the problem head on and do what needs to be done.
I would only add that people should work on their goals in stages. For example, learning hydroponics or year around growing would be easier for someone who has already learned seasonal growing. Learning team tactics is far easier once you have mastered basic rifle handling, safety, and marksmanship. And organizing a group is easier done one person at a time. People should consider what goals are practical to pursue in the time they believe they have. Anything can be done as long as a person has the will to take action and not give up.
written by Nix , September 24, 2015
Sprouting beans and whole grains, even brown rice gives you plentiful of healthy food (1 part beans vs 7 parts cereals). You learn it in 4 days. Living near the sea gives you plentiful of whole food (seaweeds) year round. Yes, maybe boring but it is an emergency isn't it? Zeolite to offset radiation and toxins and even viral or bacterial infections is your medicine.
written by Brandon Smith , September 27, 2015
@Nix
True, you can get good nutrition from sprouts, but they are very low in calories. Sprouts are only a supplement to food obtained and stored through seasonal growing or hunting and gathering. There is truly no way around the limitations brought about by cold weather unless you grow excellent and ample seasonal crops for storage, or, you have the money to spend on a sizable indoor or greenhouse investment with the ability to keep that space warm and sunlit.
Seasonal growing is the way humans have survived for THOUSANDS of years. Any cold weather tricks of the trade generally produce only minimal food stuffs, and most of the people who boast of "year around growing" have never actually had to survive solely on the food they produce for an entire year. Many of them are living in a fantasy land.
