Expert Advice / Guidance Requested.... Where should I start?

[maric]

My opinion is, have PLENTY OF WATER AND FOOD! at least 6-12 months.. as for weapons, even my 8 year old has a .22. Think about "worst case scenarios" and think, is a .22 enough? If you think it is, then your right. If you think, "nah, I think maybe an Ak, or at least a 12 gauge would be helpful, to defend my family, what I have and what I will have, then go with that. Its all about what you feel is right for you and yours. We have quite a few firearms. I (the Mrs) am not "great" at firing all of them. BUT, I try to get familiar with a few at a time. If you ask MY opinion, more food, more water, more firearms with "oomph" and more bandaids :) Good topic!!! :) BTW, the Ak-47 is not an expensive firearm, at least where we are from, and the ammo is easy to find.. easy to load and a good over-all weapon!

[Echo2]

with out food and water.....you're dead....all the other stuff is academic by comparison.

weapons allow you to keep the food.

band aids help fix you up after fighting to keep the food.

if you have enough food to defend (figure 6 months is going to weigh about 250 to 350 lbs)....you probably have a location....and hopefully you have stocked it with more than food and water...but without it.....it's a tomb.

[prkchp76]

ok good points everybody but why are we so consumed with more weapons. I AM QUILTY TOO....with that being said this person has a decent set up the 22 is one of the weapons i'm grabbing for a coupl of reasons weight easy to aquire and accuracy all these other weapons are great but this person is just starting out i would feel etter knowing they have a weapon they know and are good at using then one they bought on a wim because of us ... food and water is important but so are clothes shoes back packs sleeping bags and the such all should be taken in to account

[kenno]

I would add compact handguns in your choice:
22mag
7.62X25 Tokarev
9mm
40
45
357
Rifles:
Kel-tec SU 16 223
DPMS AR 15 or clone
Mini-14's are over priced
Ak's: AK-47 or AK 74 with 2000rnds of cheap ammo
More beans, more bandaids

[maric]

That may be true... I read that it will keep it fresher and keep out rats and bugs too, but that may be wrong, I read it on a survival food manufacturers page and they may just be pitching a sale.

Yeah, think about.. when it comes to rodents, they can get thru Mylar by chewing.. if you put in mylar, and buckets, you have a much better chance! Everybody who sells something (okay, usually) is "pitching a sale".. there is a market for people who buy gear, and survivalism supplies.. always be on the lookout, learning more, asking questions, reading, and reading, and reading up on what works for people! What works for some, isnt the case for others! :) Reading reviews, and asking people, such as this site, who have "lived and learned"!!!

[J40SW]

nope....storing in Mylar will keep it fresher....plastic buckets will keep the rodents out...or in tins.....or 55gal barrels...etc....the bags are just a barrier.

That may be true... I read that it will keep it fresher and keep out rats and bugs too, but that may be wrong, I read it on a survival food manufacturers page and they may just be pitching a sale.

[Echo2]

Storing food in mylar bags is supposed to keep bugs and rodents out.

nope....storing in Mylar will keep it fresher....plastic buckets will keep the rodents out...or in tins.....or 55gal barrels...etc....the bags are just a barrier.

[J40SW]

The only thing I can add to what's already been said is. Make sure to store your food so as to be the most rodent resistant. And don't forget to rotate.

Storing food in mylar bags is supposed to keep bugs and rodents out.

[Skyowl's Wife]

Pioneerurban, I suspect one of the most valuable things you can do is think. "What if..." are probably the two most valuable words for the prepper.

We thought "what if"... the country collapses, the modes of food transport go down. We stocked food.

We thought "what if"... the country collapses, the modes of food transport go down and stay down for a very long time. We stocked more food and non-hybrid seeds.

We thought "what if"... the water distribution goes down. We found and acquired four 250 gallon water tanks. They will be positioned at the corners of the house to collect rainwater and stocked chemicals and equipment to purify it.

We thought "what if"... people notice we aren't starving like they are and come to investigate. We stocked weapons and lots of ammo. And more wheat, I'm not afraid to give a family a loaf of bread.

We thought "what if"... the country collapses and we have zero income. We stocked silver.

We thought "what if"... the system collapses and I can't get my medication. We bought some from India. We tested it, using lab results as the gauge, it's good, we stocked a years supply.

We thought "what if"... the area is overrun by illegals or American-armed drug cartels (one flavor of the dreaded zombies!). We have a place to move to and a way to move the supplies we have here.

"What if", "what if", "what if".

I can't help but read everything I can get my hands on. We have 4 or 5 methods to cook our food. What if we have to leave home? I read the posts on how to cook and start fires "in the wild". Don't expect to need them, but what if....

Carry a notebook. Once you get into the habit of thinking "what if...", you'll have a REALLY good idea in church or the movies or at a party. You need a place to jot down the idea for later expansion.

I can't stop thinking about your daughter. If she's big enough to hoof it the eight miles to your BOL, you may want to take a Saturday and do that. Take a picnic lunch of road food and see how she does. And how you do. If she's small and you'll need to carry her, you may want to buy a bicycle or hunting cart to help. If she does well on the walk, be sure and maintain her footwear as she grows. If she or you don't do well, figure out why and beef up or plan around the weak areas.

I guess prepping is a mind-set and it sounds like you are half the way there. You must, however, remember that a battle plan is only good until the first round goes down-range so you must plan for the worst (or several "worsts") and hope for the best!

[monet861]

Water, Water, Water. You can survive for a while without food (you will need it for strength and maintain sanity), but you will need water for so many activities. Frozen food can be a problem. I would take an old car muffler and rig it for your generator, the noise will bring people to your location. I agree with the more common NATO rounds, even if you vary a little. I like .45/70, .458 socom and .300 win mag, but with .45 and .308 so readily available, and plenty of reloading supplies, I can take care of needs. I would also start looking for KNOWLEDGE. Take a first-aid class, pick up a couple of books on self-reliance, gardening, small engine repair(for your geni.) etc.

You will get 500 opinions, use what you get and decide what seems most important in your situation. I have a 4 yr old daughter, so understand that is just another part of whatever situation arises.

[Oscar Wilde]

.... more water, much more water. Most folks don't realize how much water they release from the tap on a daily basis .... water company says I used 2600 gallons this past month, that's 52 fifty gallon drums worth ....

O.W.

[PT945]

The only thing I can add to what's already been said is. Make sure to store your food so as to be the most rodent resistant. And don't forget to rotate.

[Echo2]

Beans....bullets....band aids....in that order.

Straight up....if you do not have the caloric intake to use the weapons....they are pointless. Food should be your first and foremost priority....and just for arguments sake....I'm going to lump water in there with food....because one with out the other is pointless. If you have a month on hand....good....now work on 3 months....6 months......a year....and get a source for fresh water....be it spring...well....or filters.....water is a must. Remember...you have to cook food...what method do you plan on using?

Armament....you have some...not the choices I would have made...but to each their own. I personally would have NATO rounds.....buy it cheap....stack it deep. Work with what you have until your food reaches at least 6 months....IMO.

Don't over look first aid....in all honesty....a scratch can kill you if not properly tended to. buy a FAK that will fit in your back pack....then stock heavy on the other stuff....this is where the dollar stores come in handy. Make sure to get basic wound care....and if possible....take a class.

your BOL should be manned by someone with the same mind set....imagin showing up with 2 months worth of supplies....and 2 folks are there....now you have a months worth of supplies....that's just how it works.

Good luck

Echo2

[Skyowl's Wife]

Thank you, SW

Food for a month for my daughter and I. Water, at least two weeks worth.

How old is daughter, can she help with preps? Or young enough that you'll have to carry her?

As far as the weapons, size of caliber does not matter as long as shot placement is accurate. My Marlin .22 magnum can be used as a sniper rifle. I keep in practice, quite often, I hit wait I aim at.

Then you're good! Like I said, the guys would have the GOOD advice on this. I hope to aim and scare them to death, although prepared to do otherwise.

I can shelter in place, as I am not near any major cities. There are two smaller size cities about 10 miles away. One to the south and the other to the west. But, if I need to bug out, I have my dad's farm which is about 8 miles away that I can go to.

You are ahead of the game, there. Might plan for both, cache half way in case you are on foot and need to take your time getting there. SkyOwl and I plan to shelter in place unless the zombies completely swarm the area or it gets radioactive. As close as we live to the border, the swarm is a possibility.

I also have a 5500 w generator and 50 gallons of gasoline.

Great! How quiet is it? Will it draw in zombies?

What I don't have is if I really need to get out of the area is the survival gear for sustained living. Tent, sleeping bags, bug out bag, etc....

We have some people here who can fill you IN! They'll get you up to speed in no time!

Should I plan to get enough food, water, other items that I'll need to stay here or at my dads first, or obtain items for getting out of dodge? Or a combo of both?

Does your Dad prep? Can he be counted on in a SHTF situation or is he going to joggle your elbow when you draw down on a zombie? If you store your stuff at his house and he's not a prepper, you must store enough for him and others living there.

[pioneerurban]

Thank you, SW

Food for a month for my daughter and I. Water, at least two weeks worth.

As far as the weapons, size of caliber does not matter as long as shot placement is accurate. My Marlin .22 magnum can be used as a sniper rifle. I keep in practice, quite often, I hit wait I aim at.

Folks seem to think that bigger caliber weapons is always better and in some instances they are. However, I plan my weapons for what I will need them for. .270 for large game hunting, .22 Mag for smaller game or sniper if need be, .22 for small game, 20 ga for up close and personal work :), .22 revolver was my grandmothers and my .380 is my carry conceal weapon.

I can shelter in place, as I am not near any major cities. There are two smaller size cities about 10 miles away. One to the south and the other to the west. But, if I need to bug out, I have my dad's farm which is about 8 miles away that I can go to.

I also have a 5500 w generator and 50 gallons of gasoline.

What I don't have is if I really need to get out of the area is the survival gear for sustained living. Tent, sleeping bags, bug out bag, etc....

Should I plan to get enough food, water, other items that I'll need to stay here or at my dads first, or obtain items for getting out of dodge? Or a combo of both?

I have been reading posts and there is definately a wealth of info on this site.