Who Would You Help When SHTF vs. Who Could You Help?

[Longshot231]

This is been a pet peeve of mine for some time. Before I start, maybe I am over thinking this. So please bear with me.

Some of you, like me, have been in group situations where there is the one guy or gal, who is completely unprepared for anything. They may show up at the range without some of the proper equipment (all the time). Then they want to borrow your stuff.

It could be in a deer camp. The guy shows up and forgot to bring enough food and wants to partake in everyone else's camp delicacies. He didn't bring any beer but is always the one chugging down the group's Budweisers.

I've been in a few close calls but never any combat or real SHTF scenario but I often thought about the guy who is nothing but dead weight for the group. I'm not talking about the jerk that doesn't bring any toilet paper to camp but uses what ever you have left then he tells you to use the leaves! I'm talking about the guy who wants to borrow your tools and is always asking for favors but does nothing in return.

I've used the years of plenty to stock up on ammunition. I bought cases of it while the prices were low. I made sacrifices so I could get that amination. The same goes with primers, powder and bullets. I still need to get some more.

I'm not the guy who is going to turn around and sell it at the gun shows with a 600% markup either. I'm also a generous person but won't be taken advantage of either.

So here's the dilemma. Let's say there is a really big SHTF scenario in this country. Given today's social & political climate, that is very likely. Very few of us can head for the hills. Some folks may have a safe hide-a-way out in the mountains but that's the exception rather than the rule.

I get sick of seeing people that look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy telling me they're going to "head for the hills" if something bad happens. All I can do is laugh at them. Their fat reserves would last about a week.

None of us can be a one man army. We cannot get along without a group of other people.

Let's say you're the guy who has lots and lots of ammo and the SHTF event has brought you together with others. Everyone may or may not be armed. Do you share your ammo and/or guns with the guy who was the deadbeat in times of plenty?

Keep in mind that you may need him to man an extra rifle if the zombies are attacking but he's been a short-sighted asshole. He may also have the ability to walk in a room and immediately piss everyone off the minute he opens his mouth. However, you may need every hand available if the SHTF.

What would it take to give him your ammo?

Here's a video to illustrate my point in case I have not be articulate enough. It is the highlights from an episode of the "Twilight Zone." It's not the entire episode but there is enough of it to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Rod Serling had a knack for showing human nature for what it really is.

Stressful situations don't build character, they reveal it.

 

[Rerun7]

Sounds like you have a specific person in mind?

Those types of people typically don’t stay around in my life. I don’t mind helping my friends and giving them spare gear if they need it but that’s typically due to them not having the financial means to get it.

Those who aren’t prepared due to negligence aren’t the type I want around my family, especially during a stressful situation.

 

[powdahound76]

Meh.
Im not really close with people like that. My people are prepared

I have one buddy who hasnt prepped, even though I reminded him often.
He is on his own.
And he has more than enough resources financially to be WAY ahead of it all.

Did have breakfast with an old friend last week. She is a divorced mom (kids grown) and a smart and sweet lady. She let me know she was coming to my place if it gets bad.
I politely informed her as to how I expect to be compensated. She didnt argue.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Family I trust.
Oh, and Barter Blonds

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Household family, and a pair of solid shooting buddies.

BTW, I am not, by any means, a prepper.

Greg

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

When the day comes aka SHTF to the point that ammo is needed to be shared.....well....there will be plenty of ammo and guns to pick up off the dead bodies.

Until then all the SHTF, BugOut, etc etc is nothing but a cool word for "Going Camping".....

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[1moaoff]

Camping is for nerds.

Grab a pack, go backcountry backpacking.
10 days is when people give up usually

 

[Longshot231]

Sounds like you have a specific person in mind?

Those types of people typically don’t stay around in my life. I don’t mind helping my friends and giving them spare gear if they need it but that’s typically due to them not having the financial means to get it.

Those who aren’t prepared due to negligence aren’t the type I want around my family, especially during a stressful situation.

I don't have a specific person in mind but have met too many people like that. Perhaps I've had the bad luck to run into them more than others.

Family I trust.
Oh, and Barter Blonds

Household family, and a pair of solid shooting buddies.

BTW, I am not, by any means, a prepper.

Greg

I don't trust my family and don't have anything to do with them anymore. In fact they'd be the first people that i would lock out of my bomb shelter!

I was in a SERE school once. Everyone in the group was great, except for one man. He was a PITA to everyone.

Guess who they paired him up with for the evasion part of the course? Me! The stupid fuck-head almost got my ass captured several times.

I wanted to kill him by the time we finished the course. Had it been a real situation, I probably would have killed him rather than face capture. That's how bad he was.

To dwell on this point a little further, I have to say that it wasn't his lack of skills in field craft that bothered me but his bad attitude. I was pretty experienced in the woods. Except for that idiot, SERE school was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it, except for the POW BS but that's another story.

This person's attitude hindered him from trying to learn or adapt to anything. He was just there to "play the game" and that was it. In a real situation he would have been the first to raise a white flag.

I would probably get married again rather than be stuck with that jackass.

 

[BullGear]

No friends, only family. My kids know that when it happens, they're to get to my house as soon as possible. There's enough supplies and defensive devices to keep us all happy for some time. As far as friends go, in a SHTF situation, I have no friends.

 

[Rocketvapor]

When it happens?
I'll get a notification on my phone.

If they ain't home could they get home?

What if it rolls in like the cold in Texas.
and sticks around for 10 years?

 

[BullGear]

When it happens?
I'll get a notification on my phone.

If they ain't home could they get home?

What if it rolls in like the cold in Texas.
and sticks around for 10 years?

Only the most devoted prepper is going to be stocked for 10 years. If it's that bad, I'll just lay out in the snow and die.

 

[Rerun7]

If it’s 10 years we’ll be doing threads on best ways to cook a rat, haha.

 

[theLBC]

i suppose i will help somebody if they can be a net benefit, otherwise, frag em.

 

[OldSalty2]

it depends lots of variables.

Family first, at least for us. But I also have family that I certainly do not trust nor would want around me in such situation. True fucktards and worthless, thats all Ill say...

I have maybe 2 or 3 friends that may not be all that prepared. A couple boxes of "self defense" ammo etc. To me whatever reason they have being ill prepared by some arbitrary measure, is trumped by the fact id still trust them with my life. This is a very very limited number.

If the situation is prolonged it might be necessary to evaluate the thresholds and perhaps take more risk. Idk, just a thought...

 

[Bigfatcock]

Gas, grass, or ass.

Or preferably (applies to women only) ass, ass, and ass.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

What if it rolls in like the cold in Texas.
and sticks around for 10 years?

That’s when the do nothing buddy becomes valuable. You could probably get a lot of meals off of his bones.

 

[lariat]

Sounds like you have a specific person in mind?

Those types of people typically don’t stay around in my life. I don’t mind helping my friends and giving them spare gear if they need it but that’s typically due to them not having the financial means to get it.

Those who aren’t prepared due to negligence aren’t the type I want around my family, especially during a stressful situation.

I think this is correct. Unreliability is dangerous in all situations, from the everyday event to the emergency.

 

[theLBC]

I think this is correct. Unreliability is dangerous in all situations, from the everyday event to the emergency.

right. consider the Kramer type from Seinfeld.
would you allow him around, or banish him before he fucks something up even though he is your friend under normal conditions?

 

[THEIS]

When it happens?
I'll get a notification on my phone.

If they ain't home could they get home?

What if it rolls in like the cold in Texas.
and sticks around for 10 years?

Hi,

That would be AWESOME if some SHTF situation was broadcasted on the local and national news for 14 damn days before the shit actually reached the fan, lololol......as it was for the cold weather.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Longshot231]

Once upon a time in another space-time continuum, I had some neighbors who didn't like guns. They didn't hesitate to ask for my help instead of calling the cops.

I was young then and know better now. Because of that experience, I said, NEVER AGAIN.

The bottom line was that they didn't have a problem with me incurring legal risks if I had to use the very tool that they didn't like. I won't protect someone who refuses to protect themselves or their family.

I appreciate the responses generated in such a short time.

Back to my neighbors, there could be a situation when I would need them or a group of others like myself may need them. What frosts my balls is when they are the do-nothing-simple-minded-take-from-other-people type that we would need but also have to expend energy to help.

It becomes a balancing act of needing and using what little assistance they provide versus carrying all of their load for them.

 

[Familydude]

People like the ones you’re describing are typically selfish at their core. There are those of us that pack a little extra of a few things in the event someone has a need or emergency. The ones you speak of, who consciously fail to prepare, know the other individuals exist and happily take from them without even the slightest consideration. That person would ultimately do anything for self preservation, including betray those that have sacrificed for her/him. Unless they have an absolutely necessary skill, such as extensive medical and or/McGyver-type knowledge (Google the tv show), I’ve no use for them. Immediate family.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Hi,

That would be AWESOME if some SHTF situation was broadcasted on the local and national news for 14 damn days before the shit actually reached the fan, lololol......as it was for the cold weather.

Sincerely,
Theis

This right here. I’m in the middle of this SHTF snow/ice apocalypse. There’s stupid mofos on TV every night crying because they don’t have water, don’t have heat, they don’t have full-in-the-blank-here. It’s just unbelievable they don’t have a minimum for five days of shit, when they were told to prepare for two solid weeks. Unless you’re old, or limited in your ability, I don’t feel sorry for you one bit.
I had a dumbass neighbor try to go out and get something, probably liquor, back his truck out and slide off in his yard, not with one rear wheel, but with both rear wheels. He then buried the thing to the bumper. I just stood there at the window, watching, drinking my coffee, thinking “dumbass”.

 

[10ring'r]

I've got me, myself, and I. I stay in touch with my closest neighbors, that's it.
I figure, I might last through a couple of mags, if shit started to get real bad, but, depending on the situation, I'll work it out from there. ( I've never been a "prepper"either)
I guess it depends on the situation, I live in a small town where 90% of the populace are hunters, so, there's that. I think, in my A.O., we would come together and do what's needed (am friends with a couple of the towns P.D. officers, so hope I would hear something from them??), but, who knows? I stay as "prepped" as I can. This Pandemic has made a few people reconsider how they do things, me included, you have to take a different outlook on "what-if's". It's like going on a trip, you think you have everything you need, but, when you get there, you still have to go to the store. Situations change, you just have to do the best that you can, take care of family, and hope others did the same. Mac

 

[nagantguy]

Tribe first tribe second tribe last; all others get ammo, one round.
I learned a long time ago I don’t need a pal I don’t need drinking buddies and I don’t need dead weight - need tribe a few blood relatives and some multi year true friends/training partners. No out siders no one new. During the recent unpleasantness we ran some real good “neighborhood watch” patrols. No one gets anything and even if they take it- ain’t much in one location.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

When you have the ability to give someone a hand up, do it.
When someone wants a hand out, decline.
Expect nothing from someone else, that way you will never be disappointed, and sometimes, pleasantly surprised.

 

[acudaowner]

friends , family , and those close to the family maybe a select few others other than that the list is pretty short if it gets that bad . and some of my pro socialist neighbors got to keep your food supply safe here little piggy .

 

[Expert684]

Neighbors around me are squared away, we talk, we have “resources”. I’d say the couple across the street. They are in their late 70’s and would be easy pickens. Our wolf pack, would not allow this, we’d take care of them no matter what.

 

[rottenruger]

This is been a pet peeve of mine for some time. Before I start, maybe I am over thinking this. So please bear with me.

Some of you, like me, have been in group situations where there is the one guy or gal, who is completely unprepared for anything. They may show up at the range without some of the proper equipment (all the time). Then they want to borrow your stuff.

It could be in a deer camp. The guy shows up and forgot to bring enough food and wants to partake in everyone else's camp delicacies. He didn't bring any beer but is always the one chugging down the group's Budweisers.

I've been in a few close calls but never any combat or real SHTF scenario but I often thought about the guy who is nothing but dead weight for the group. I'm not talking about the jerk that doesn't bring any toilet paper to camp but uses what ever you have left then he tells you to use the leaves! I'm talking about the guy who wants to borrow your tools and is always asking for favors but does nothing in return.

I've used the years of plenty to stock up on ammunition. I bought cases of it while the prices were low. I made sacrifices so I could get that amination. The same goes with primers, powder and bullets. I still need to get some more.

I'm not the guy who is going to turn around and sell it at the gun shows with a 600% markup either. I'm also a generous person but won't be taken advantage of either.

So here's the dilemma. Let's say there is a really big SHTF scenario in this country. Given today's social & political climate, that is very likely. Very few of us can head for the hills. Some folks may have a safe hide-a-way out in the mountains but that's the exception rather than the rule.

I get sick of seeing people that look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy telling me they're going to "head for the hills" if something bad happens. All I can do is laugh at them. Their fat reserves would last about a week.

None of us can be a one man army. We cannot get along without a group of other people.

Let's say you're the guy who has lots and lots of ammo and the SHTF event has brought you together with others. Everyone may or may not be armed. Do you share your ammo and/or guns with the guy who was the deadbeat in times of plenty?

Keep in mind that you may need him to man an extra rifle if the zombies are attacking but he's been a short-sighted asshole. He may also have the ability to walk in a room and immediately piss everyone off the minute he opens his mouth. However, you may need ever hand available if the SHTF.

What would it take to give him your ammo?

Here's a video to illustrate my point in case I have not be articulate enough. It is the highlights from an episode of the "Twilight Zone." It's not the entire episode but there is enough of it to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Rod Serling had a knack for showing human nature for what it really is.

Stressful situations don't build character, they reveal it.

Thanks for the entertainment. I would have given THEM my ammo, alright.......hollowpoints first.

So I've an acquaintance here that has the guns but was too frugal to stock up on the ammo. Now he can't find ammo at reasonable prices and asked me to make some for him. Now I make damned fine ammo........it will reach out to 1350 in my rifle. His was a diff caliber, but the ammo is as precision as any I make, all ELR ammo. I even bought the dies needed for his caliber, thinking of him as part of the neighborhood defense. So I made up a 100 rounds, let him know it was ready, and keep wondering when he's gonna get it and pay me........ Then I find out he's buying online at the HIGHER prices, guess he's keeping my little horde for him as reserve without having to pay for it yet. Think those 100 rounds are going to be getting pricier all the time....... I mean, with Biden in office, ammo prices aren't going down for years if not decades........

So......Nothing like the VERMIN in The Twilight Zone, but enough that I DO know what you're talking about........ the moochers and users. A pain.

 

[rottenruger]

it depends lots of variables.

Family first, at least for us. But I also have family that I certainly do not trust nor would want around me in such situation. True fucktards and worthless, thats all Ill say...

I have maybe 2 or 3 friends that may not be all that prepared. A couple boxes of "self defense" ammo etc. To me whatever reason they have being ill prepared by some arbitrary measure, is trumped by the fact id still trust them with my life. This is a very very limited number.

If the situation is prolonged it might be necessary to evaluate the thresholds and perhaps take more risk. Idk, just a thought...

"True fucktards and worthless" I would believe is all you NEED to say. Got some of those in my extended family. Might be the first ones I shoot if I see them coming.

 

[rottenruger]

Meh.
Im not really close with people like that. My people are prepared

I have one buddy who hasnt prepped, even though I reminded him often.
He is on his own.
And he has more than enough resources financially to be WAY ahead of it all.

Did have breakfast with an old friend last week. She is a divorced mom (kids grown) and a smart and sweet lady. She let me know she was coming to my place if it gets bad.
I politely informed her as to how I expect to be compensated. She didnt argue.

Hope your wife doesn't mind!

Hahahahha!!!

 

[rottenruger]

Camping is for nerds.

Grab a pack, go backcountry backpacking.
10 days is when people give up usually

About ten minutes for me. I'm 70 and soft. But see me in my little camper????

 

[Ruger1300]

Well I can't stand my in-laws so I guess I would tell them I could help one of them and they have to choose and the other is fucked. After they decide I would tell them I was wrong and I can't help either of them.

 

[rottenruger]

Once upon a time in another space-time continuum, I had some neighbors who didn't like guns. They didn't hesitate to ask for my help instead of calling the cops.

I was young then and know better now. Because of that experience, I said, NEVER AGAIN.

The bottom line was that they didn't have a problem with me incurring legal risks if I had to use the very tool that they didn't like. I won't protect someone who refuses to protect themselves or their family.

I appreciate the responses generated in such a short time.

Back to my neighbors, there could be a situation when I would need them or a group of others like myself may need them. What frosts my balls is when they are the do-nothing-simple-minded-take-from-other-people type that we would need but also have to expend energy to help.

It becomes a balancing act of needing and using what little assistance they provide versus carrying all of their load for them.

You have to do what you can for the ones worth doing for, and let the others F O.

 

[Longshot231]

Thanks for the entertainment. I would have given THEM my ammo, alright.......hollowpoints first.

So I've an acquaintance here that has the guns but was too frugal to stock up on the ammo. Now he can't find ammo at reasonable prices and asked me to make some for him. Now I make damned fine ammo........it will reach out to 1350 in my rifle. His was a diff caliber, but the ammo is as precision as any I make, all ELR ammo. I even bought the dies needed for his caliber, thinking of him as part of the neighborhood defense. So I made up a 100 rounds, let him know it was ready, and keep wondering when he's gonna get it and pay me........ Then I find out he's buying online at the HIGHER prices, guess he's keeping my little horde for him as reserve without having to pay for it yet. Think those 100 rounds are going to be getting pricier all the time....... I mean, with Biden in office, ammo prices aren't going down for years if not decades........

So......Nothing like the VERMIN in The Twilight Zone, but enough that I DO know what you're talking about........ the moochers and users. A pain.

I have a friend who's son has been working for a while. When we all go out to eat, he never seems to pay even though he has a job.

I cut him a little slack as he's young and needs to learn about reciprocating good deeds.

He did pick up a check at lunch once. He looked like a vampire trying to pick up a cross.

Like I said, I'm cutting him some slack because he's young and still needs to learn a few lessons. He has some good qualities. If he was an older man, I wouldn't give him the sweat of my butt.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Only the most devoted prepper is going to be stocked for 10 years. If it's that bad, I'll just lay out in the snow and die.

It would take some serious civilization ending extinction level event to leave you in such a situation.
IF that is the case, what you need to do is not worry about how many years worth of supplies you have, but rather, how to build a new community / civilization as quick as possible and get back to being able to live sustainably.

You CAN live sustainably long term, BUT it takes knowledge, skill and day in day out hard work. You are NOT going to survive long term being some lone hunter / gatherer, you are going to have to be a farmer and raise animals and work together with others. People did that for thousands of years, and you can too, but it's NOT a glamourous life, it's very much a hard work and no vacation life.

Here is a good YouTube channel from a couple who actually live long term sustainably, off the grid, in a somewhat traditional manner, with a bit of modern stuff as available. Very much like how you would wind up living long term if something actually rolled the clock back on modern civilization and killed enough folks off that the modern lifestyle wasn't able to make a quick come back.

https://www.youtube.com/c/Talasbuan/videos

Just remember when you see all these great survival shows and prepper shows, how many of them can actually survive and thrive if they actually had to be cut off from the world? Most of the top survival wilderness guys can't even do 3 months without anyone helping them.
Long term sustainable living is very different than the typical survivalist/prepper mindset that is popularized today.

You'll need a village, but like in the old days, if someone is a detriment to the village, they will get banished and told to never come back and if they are seen back around the village, they will be treated the same as the wolves and bears.

Hi,

That would be AWESOME if some SHTF situation was broadcasted on the local and national news for 14 damn days before the shit actually reached the fan, lololol......as it was for the cold weather.

Sincerely,
Theis

While many things might suddenly pop up out of nowhere if it's natural causes, a lot of the time historically if what is causing the SHTF is man made, there is a good chance those paying attention will see it coming in advance, or at least see the conditions coming up that could cause it to happen. The trick is always to be able to figure out when the balloon is actually going to go up get yourself off the X

 

[Ghosting]

I'm not friends with the bums. All my friends are just as prepared if not more then me and I'm really damn well prepared for that type of stuff.
My advice is (assuming you are talking about someone you are friends with) casually mention to them that everyone needs to ne prepare for disasters and if they don't want to take your advice and need you later on then fuckum.
As for the people that go on group hunting trips but then don't pull their weight? Well those guys never get to come back next year. I've had a few people like that. Last time it happened the moment they drove off the rest of us look at each other and the group organizer says "they never get invited again" It was a yearly trip and they have not been back since.

 

[308pirate]

The first words out of my mouth when someone wants my help are: who did you vote for.

Everything depends on that

 

[RGStory]

Everyone that asks.

I would take in everyone that showed up at my door. If they have no immediate value, they get a shovel and can start digging ditches. Those of character can get a gun and the choice to watch over those digging ditches or join them.

 

[BullGear]

Everyone that asks.

I would take in everyone that showed up at my door. If they have no immediate value, they get a shovel and can start digging ditches. Those of character can get a gun and the choice to watch over those digging ditches or join them.


View attachment 7562576

Nope, those shovel bearers can revolt at the most inconvenient time. No one gets in my house or property without being immediate family. I hold no loyalty to strangers and I know they have none for me. I don't like having to sleep with one eye open, worrying about who in my camp is wanting to kill me.

 

[RGStory]

Nope, those shovel bearers can revolt at the most inconvenient time.

Ha ha. Always a risk.




Note @308pirate's rejects at the 33 second mark.

 

[308pirate]

Ha ha. Always a risk.




Note @308pirate's rejects at the 33 second mark.

Count DeMoney

 

[Snipe260]

This is been a pet peeve of mine for some time. Before I start, maybe I am over thinking this. So please bear with me.

Some of you, like me, have been in group situations where there is the one guy or gal, who is completely unprepared for anything. They may show up at the range without some of the proper equipment (all the time). Then they want to borrow your stuff.

It could be in a deer camp. The guy shows up and forgot to bring enough food and wants to partake in everyone else's camp delicacies. He didn't bring any beer but is always the one chugging down the group's Budweisers.

I've been in a few close calls but never any combat or real SHTF scenario but I often thought about the guy who is nothing but dead weight for the group. I'm not talking about the jerk that doesn't bring any toilet paper to camp but uses what ever you have left then he tells you to use the leaves! I'm talking about the guy who wants to borrow your tools and is always asking for favors but does nothing in return.

I've used the years of plenty to stock up on ammunition. I bought cases of it while the prices were low. I made sacrifices so I could get that amination. The same goes with primers, powder and bullets. I still need to get some more.

I'm not the guy who is going to turn around and sell it at the gun shows with a 600% markup either. I'm also a generous person but won't be taken advantage of either.

So here's the dilemma. Let's say there is a really big SHTF scenario in this country. Given today's social & political climate, that is very likely. Very few of us can head for the hills. Some folks may have a safe hide-a-way out in the mountains but that's the exception rather than the rule.

I get sick of seeing people that look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy telling me they're going to "head for the hills" if something bad happens. All I can do is laugh at them. Their fat reserves would last about a week.

None of us can be a one man army. We cannot get along without a group of other people.

Let's say you're the guy who has lots and lots of ammo and the SHTF event has brought you together with others. Everyone may or may not be armed. Do you share your ammo and/or guns with the guy who was the deadbeat in times of plenty?

Keep in mind that you may need him to man an extra rifle if the zombies are attacking but he's been a short-sighted asshole. He may also have the ability to walk in a room and immediately piss everyone off the minute he opens his mouth. However, you may need ever hand available if the SHTF.

What would it take to give him your ammo?

Here's a video to illustrate my point in case I have not be articulate enough. It is the highlights from an episode of the "Twilight Zone." It's not the entire episode but there is enough of it to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Rod Serling had a knack for showing human nature for what it really is.

Stressful situations don't build character, they reveal it.

I’d send that guy out to flush the enemy!

 

[ColinW]

I would consider myself a silent professional. Perhaps it's from my time in the type of work that I did or the character that I developed over the years. Combination of the 2, perhaps. Call it "half prepper and half survivalist." But, in person (an online forum and the topic at hand being the exception), I won't and haven't verbally told anyone, anything about what resources I have created and established for my family. There are select family who I trust that are "in the know" of the contingencies I have for X, Y or Z scenario. Mostly being national level power outages or civil uprising and war in our streets. To me, those would fall under the SHTF criteria. Absolutely no one knows how many rounds of ammunition I have or where they are kept. Nor, the exact number of firearms I own. I'm a big time follower of FieldCraft Survival and American Contingency and made multiple "caches" of home made freeze dried food, first-aid kits, extra ammo and spare batteries for ham radios for if or when the S** really does hit that fan. I would encourage all of you to develop that mindset of living a preparedness centered lifestyle. And tell absolutely fucking NO ONE about it. *edit* However, if someone in distress ask's for help, you use all available means to help them. Always be a Good Samaritan.

 

[S Roche]

It would take some serious civilization ending extinction level event to leave you in such a situation.
IF that is the case, what you need to do is not worry about how many years worth of supplies you have, but rather, how to build a new community / civilization as quick as possible and get back to being able to live sustainably.

You CAN live sustainably long term, BUT it takes knowledge, skill and day in day out hard work. You are NOT going to survive long term being some lone hunter / gatherer, you are going to have to be a farmer and raise animals and work together with others. People did that for thousands of years, and you can too, but it's NOT a glamourous life, it's very much a hard work and no vacation life.

 

[S Roche]

^^^^ This is it. My grandparents lived on a 160 acre farm until they moved to town in the late 60's. No electricity, windmill for water, outhouse, a home heated with cobs and cooking over a wood stove. They loved the lifestyle and actually were quite wealthy. I would visit when they were in their late 60's and I was in my teens. Daily chores I did to help was haul hay, help grandma hoe the garden, butcher chickens and all else that went with it. It was not an easy life but it's what they wanted. About the time I was born the blizzard of 1949 hit and they couldn't leave the farm for 4 months. Not a problem for them as they were self sustaining on their little piece of ground. As a city boy I learned a lot from my time with them. These days I doubt that 1 in 10 would survive for 5 years, probably less. Family Only

 

[nagantguy]

Not that I’m any expert or a world class Hardass but I’ve been involved in nasty clean up/ disarmament looking for “war criminals “ (true oxymoron ) on two continents and also have had to keep “the peace” during large scale food riots. I don’t known if most have themselves prepared in the head and heart for just what those things look like . The summers arson festivities of mostly peaceful protests is what the first five minutes might look like and things go down hill from there rapidly. Those “close friends “ and “relatives “ you’d better vet very carefully cause we are all 3 meals away from becoming savages- think people killing neighbors for rice or hacking someone up for MRE’s. And after a few months those that come to take your stuff are no longer amateurs- the amateurs are all dead, now the experienced groups and the true psychopathic and those that had the good sense fortify and team up are who’s left.
Of course there will still be plenty of sheep around- either hiding out or under the thumb of some “warlord” .
stay in place or bug out- what’s in your pack- best shtf rifle- all that is mental jacking off. The ability to be fluid, make quick decisions and being prepared in mind body and soul is what makes survivors-or corpses.

and no I don’t have any Velcro shoes, I don’t have 300 bow kills but I can bench more that 225.

 

[ajw65]

For me it is only family, with the exception if they voted for the dems. My wife and I have made that clear.

 

[Romeo458]

Mags: The People Part of Prepping: How to Plan, Build, and Organize a Mutual Assistance Group in a Survival Situation a book by Charley Hogwood, Amarilis Hernandez, and Joe Alton

There's a new version of this book with an updated title! We've re-released it as "The Survival Group Handbook: How to Plan, Organize and Lead People for a Short or Long Term Survival Situation", available here: www.bit.ly/SGhandbook"Who will be there to help you when the lights go out?MAGS is a...

bookshop.org

Read this book it is handy to have on this subject. Build a mutual assistance group now weed out the wheat from the chaff now and later you will have experience and procedures in place should there be a collapse to decide if someone new is worth staying or not.

When building you should always start with your neighbors. You are stuck with them and they are the people who are most immediately going to be at your side should something happen no matter if you live 5 feet away from them or 5 miles from them they are your closest support and you theirs.

 

[Sandhog308]

Have a few fellow Vet friends , most with combat experience from Vietnam through now. Living in a small AO knowing everyone has its positives. Both of my siblings lean towards being full blown Commies , so I have no support family wise.
Daughter is Pro 2A , excellent with weapons , packs a Sig 220 I gave her 20yrs ago.
BUT , she’s married to a twinkle toed snowflake that I don’t trust.
Good solid friends are worth gold
.

 

[1moaoff]

About ten minutes for me. I'm 70 and soft. But see me in my little camper????

It was meant for people that think by camping they learn how to survive... probably came off wrong