The Urban Preparedness Essentials!

gac · #41

You know what no ones seems to remember or list? Toilet paper.

clovisc · #42

@ Quattro -- S30V isn't the greatest steel for prolonged use outdoors, or in areas where cleaning a knife is difficult. even in zambia... sweat or rain would take its toll rather quickly. cleaning up rust spots with toothpaste was a hassle... although i guess it gave me something to do on long, slow days. :D it's much less stressful/annoying to have a knife that you don't have to worry about rusting.

@ Tony, Doc, and Vampyrewolf -- Not sure what specifically a .45-70 will do to a charging black bear, and I'd rather have not find out. (Only black bears on my island). I do know that I can shoot that gun much more accurately than I'd be able to shoot one of the high-powered handguns some other hikers favor. I've heard third-hand stories about 12 gauge slugs not being able to take care of black bear business... not sure if I believe them, and realize there are quite a number of variables that could make anything possible... but I have more faith in the .45-70. Plus, the Marlin is stainless... the shotgun is not. :D

sarguy · #43

In my jeep I keep my search and rescue pack containing extra clothing, a couple tarps, navigation aids, first aid kit, paracord etc. I also have extra batteries and a few LED lights in a rubbermade container. Oh, and a bodybag, ultra heavy duty.

On my person: Springfield XD .40, surefire or fenix light, Spyderco Delica and one other folder (varies), cellphone, etc.

I have an Icom dual band ham radio I've been wanting to install in my Jeep, and I'd like to get a couple more handie-talkie sized units for home and for the wife's vehicle. I figure in a major event, the cell networks are going to be overloaded. Considering the size and complexity of the RACES and other emergency Ham networks, Ham radio might just be the only reliable means of communication for a little while. It doesn't take much to get licenced, either. KD7YCA

In this region the major disasters might consist of a dam breaking and flooding the lower lying areas or a haz-mat incident from the paper mill or bullet factories.

Clawhammer · #44

clovisc wrote:Not sure what specifically a .45-70 will do to a charging black bear, and I'd rather have not find out.

the high-powered handguns some other hikers favor.

I've heard third-hand stories about 12 gauge slugs not being able to take care of black bear business...

Guys, I'm surprised about your thoughts pepper-spray! I worked for a short time with some Canadian Gas drillers (in Western Australia) whom reckoned it was the only thing that worked...guns were a last resort! They reckoned bears wouldn't feel a bullet, but because bears have such a sensitive sense of smell, pepperspray snaps them out of their frenzy.

But that's an opinion of others....as for me...I've never even seen a bear!

BTW, Those guys were tough... they drank black coffee that looked and tasted like coal-tar, chewed tobacco with ground-up glass in it and had beards like rhododendron bushes!

Dr. Snubnose · #45

clovisc wrote:@ Quattro -- S30V isn't the greatest steel for prolonged use outdoors, or in areas where cleaning a knife is difficult. even in zambia... sweat or rain would take its toll rather quickly. cleaning up rust spots with toothpaste was a hassle... although i guess it gave me something to do on long, slow days. :D it's much less stressful/annoying to have a knife that you don't have to worry about rusting.

@ Tony, Doc, and Vampyrewolf -- Not sure what specifically a .45-70 will do to a charging black bear, and I'd rather have not find out. (Only black bears on my island). I do know that I can shoot that gun much more accurately than I'd be able to shoot one of the high-powered handguns some other hikers favor. I've heard third-hand stories about 12 gauge slugs not being able to take care of black bear business... not sure if I believe them, and realize there are quite a number of variables that could make anything possible... but I have more faith in the .45-70. Plus, the Marlin is stainless... the shotgun is not. :D

Nothing Wrong with the 45-70...but my Remington 870 Marine Model is Electroless Nickle, good around the water for sure.....Doc :D

Dr. Snubnose · #46

Clawhammer wrote:Guys, I'm surprised about your thoughts pepper-spray! I worked for a short time with some Canadian Gas drillers (in Western Australia) whom reckoned it was the only thing that worked...guns were a last resort! They reckoned bears wouldn't feel a bullet, but because bears have such a sensitive sense of smell, pepperspray snaps them out of their frenzy.

But that's an opinion of others....as for me...I've never even seen a bear!

BTW, Those guys were tough... they drank black coffee that looked and tasted like coal-tar, chewed tobacco with ground-up glass in it and had beards like rhododendron bushes!

Yeah!!!you stand there and pepper-spray a Bear and punch him in the nose while you are at it and see if he just goes away with a bloody nose....ha! :eek: :p Doc :D

Dr. Snubnose · #47

gac wrote:You know what no ones seems to remember or list? Toilet paper.

That's why I have on my list a Helicopter....in case I run out of toilet paper, I can land on Walmarts flat roof....they do have toilet paper...Right?....Doc :p

The Deacon · #48

gac wrote:You know what no ones seems to remember or list? Toilet paper.

Must be a healthy bunch too, don't see anyone listing a supply of their prescriptions.

As for me, all things considered, I believe I'm in pretty good shape. Do own guns, but don't think society will ever break down, at least not in my lifetime, so don't see them being nearly as important as a good supply of coffee and beer. Don't consider terrorist attacks a credible threat either, nothing nearby of strategic value. That leaves personal emergencies and nature, which is pretty good to us in this part of the Northeast and even better to me than most. Unless the Yellowstone super-volcano blows and we're all toast, the potential for a natural disaster, regionally, is limted to floods, blizzards, and ice storms. Assuming I'm home topography rules out floods leaving just the perils of winter.

Once again, I'm somewhat lucky. We're on the same grid as the police station and firehouse and haven't lost power for more than a few hours in the eight years I've been here. I do have a small propane stove and cylinders for it, flashlights, a hand crank powered radio and plenty of warm clothes and blankets. But, aside from the flashlights, can't recall the last time I used any of them.

On the down side, the same topography that protects me from floods can make driving more hazardous than it might be on the flats. However, being retired should make that a lot less of a worry this winter since I can keep an eye on the weather and be very selective about when I venture out. I make a point of keeping my pantry well stocked and, perhaps more importantly, never getting down to less than 3 weeks worth of my blood pressure and allergy meds. Can't really see much chance it will ever take longer than that for conditions to improve.

When I do have to go out, my car is a late model 4WD Jeep Patriot with good rubber. Have it serviced regularly and I make sure there's at least half a tank of gas in it at all times. Always keep a seasonally appropriate change of clothes and footwear, flashlight, knife, lighter, first aid kit, and some toilet paper in it and add a couple bags of cat litter in the winter.

In the apartment, I have a couple good pairs of boots, two trekking poles, and just got a pair of YakTraks to help me get around. My weak point is remembering to take my cell phone with me when I go out. Have been trying to get in the habit of doing that.

Clawhammer · #49

Well I don't know about you guys, but anyone who's been watching the price of gold lately has gotta suspect something big is on the horizon.

The way western economies keep printing new banknotes like there's no tommorrow has got a lot of analysts alarmed. I've been reading US internet bloggs about people not being able to even find an "American Gold Eagle" gold coin.

Last week bullion hit a record high past $1200/oz... they're already predicting $4-5K/oz in a few years as everyone dumps greenbacks and Sterling!

Having said that, these are the same guys that couldn't see the housing bubble... and if gold does cost $5k/oz... we've got bigger problems than inflation to worry about!

We'll be taking lessons from the folk in Intercourse, Pennsylvania (i.e. " I'll trade you my goat for your bushell of corn, English ! )

brandonreed2008 · #50

gac wrote:You know what no ones seems to remember or list? Toilet paper.

That's what leaves are for! heh :cool:

quattrokid73 · #51

brandonreed2008 wrote:That's what leaves are for! heh :cool:

No leaves in the city!!!

I've got Purell, TP, Tissues, and Mini one use toothbrushes with built in flosser and toothpaste.

Staying healthy is important when there could be a lack of infrastructure (ie. healthcare).

noddy · #52

Like toilet paper, sometimes nailclippers or nail scissors get missed

Nothing like a ripped nail to bugger up your facility :D :D

Clawhammer · #53

OK here's a hypothetical for you...

There's urban unrest, rioting all day (gold just hit $5000/oz :D ) the SHTF all over the nation's cities and things look like getting worse.

You've been well prepared, you've got your Urban Preparedness Kit in your fully fueled, stocked 'Get-out-of-dodge-machine' and you're half-way to your refuge spot in the countryside.

You come upon a 'Griswold-style' family station wagon on the shoulder of the road with it's hood up and the driver (a lone man, dressed in crumpled business clothes) waving you down. As you get closer you notice there's nothing in the vehicle.

Do you stop and pick him up?