Suggestions for a beginning prepper?

[comingbackdown]

A friend of mine and I are already in discussion. We have been for about two months. Where are we going, who is going with us, what we're definitely taking if sh*t hits the fan tomorrow, etc. He's on board, but here I am asking for suggestions.

I've looked around and I've seen "You need this!" "NO, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS OR YOU'LL BE RAPED BY SPIDER MONKEYS!" "If you don't have such-and-such a thing you'll be apprehended and tortured to death by the police state!".

I know the obvious. Practical weapons, decent stockpiles of ammo, ability to carry the entire bugout rig on the backs of two or three people 20+ miles per day... All included: weapons, ammunition, water purification, food, clothing to meet all occasions (within reason. I live above the frost line, so I'd pack my Carhartt gear and that's about it for winter) etc. etc. We also need knowledge. I know basic first aid, and a bit about hunting. I need to learn about trapping, improvised first aid (i.e. what invaluable items can I get from a convenience store for under $20 to add to my first aid kit and how the hell do I deal with situations A through Z) how to prepare meat from local animals (Deer, Rabbit, Groundhoq, Coyote, Turkey, Pheasant, Goose, Duck, Crow, etc.)...

Basically any useful suggestions that anyone can offer, I (and my friend) are listening. If you need to know about our living situations and weapons, I'll give very basic details. Give me all you can. I don't want to be flying by the seat of my pants when the hammer falls.

[no1uno]

http://www.prepperwebsite.com/ and this American Preppers Network • Index page should be helpful.

[Oddgunner]

1. do not overwhelm your self
2. As a new prepper start with the big 4
A. Water This is your most important item 3 or 4 days with out it GAME OVER B. Food with out it you wont go far or fast
C. Shelter depending on the climate you are in this can be almost important as water
D.Security the need to protect your family and your stuff

Start small get what you need to last 3 days then a week then a month etc After that then you can start thinking about getting more of the cool stuff to help you make it. Lots of places on the web to help you with lists and how much food and water per person per day type stuff. DO NOT GET IN TO BIG OF HURRY AND THINK BEFORE YOU BUY LOOK AROUND MOST OF US ALL READY HAVE MOST OF THE ITEMS THAT WE NEED.

[///MCoupé]

You know the story about two people running from a bear? You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your friend.

You can prep like crazy or just learn where all the other preppers are...

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by ///MCoupé

You know the story about two people running from a bear? You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your friend.

You can prep like crazy or just learn where all the other preppers are...

[YoopermikeXDM]

Originally Posted by ///MCoupé

You know the story about two people running from a bear? You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your friend.

You can prep like crazy or just learn where all the other preppers are...

Remind me to cap you in the knee when the bears are running loose!

[AmickAndAmick]

Keep a good grip on Preparation vs Paranoia other wise your friends and family will think you are nuts....and/or you get caught up in it and become nuts.

Becareful not to buy stuff cause its "tactical" or cool.... its ok to get stuff cause its cool just besure you are being honest with yourself!

[prof_fate]

consider likely scenarios and what you'd do to survive. Will running 20 miles on foot be a good plan? Run to where? What's there? Will you get there first?
Would bunkering in be better?
SHTF - instant or gradual? If instant (say, meteor, solar flare, etc) and you're at work, wife at work, kids at school, buddy's at some remote fishing hole on vacation...now what's the plan? And if you can't communicate? If civil authorites close roads or cause mass chaos so they're blocked by panicked evacuees...what's your plan? You DO need one for all possibilities.
If the issue is gradual breakdown in society when do you pull the plug and head out? Who makes that call? What if you're wrong...most countries that have terrible riots and all that don't stay in the 15th century for long. So you bug out and just abandon your house and all your possessions?
Winter vs summer? good weather vs tornado/flood/katrina conditions?

Can you carry all that stuff on your list? Depends I guess on fast you have to move. I have books on various topics that I'll need post SHTF. Even if I read them all now and I"d not remember most of it (I dont' remember much algebra, calc and trig but I got A's in them back in school). So the books gotta come and I can't trust having power to charge batts (or that a solar flare won't damage electronics) so an eReader/iPad isn't a viable option. Gotta be the library.

For better or worse I'm planning to stay put. I know the area - the threats (I think..) water, game trails, etc. I"m known here so less likely to be shot by a stranger, more likely to get a community together in the aftermath too. To run brings up whole new issues and risks - I don't think I'm someplace that I'll have to run (short of the nearby nuke plan melting down but it's west and winds blow west...)

[WesternHaikus1]

Almost everybody's plans to "Bug Out" are misguided. Those situations do exist, but realistically, the best solution for most people is always going to be sheltering in place. So keep that in mind. It's important to have capabilities to leave if necessary, but I think most people get swept up in the idea of running away at the slightest sign of a problem.

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by WesternHaikus1

Almost everybody's plans to "Bug Out" are misguided. Those situations do exist, but realistically, the best solution for most people is always going to be sheltering in place. So keep that in mind. It's important to have capabilities to leave if necessary, but I think most people get swept up in the idea of running away at the slightest sign of a problem.

I don't think "everybody" thinks it's wise to run away at the "slightest sign".

However, it is foolish to not have some things together, that are easy to grab and take with you. You see the hurricane coming in, or tornado bearing down, or the train derailment on the tracks near your home dumps tanks of toxic gas in the air, or the house is on fire, or any other of numerous things that can happen, then instead of taking precious momens to look for stuff to take, you have it all in one place, and easy to pick up and go ... it might save your life and those of your loved ones.