What is TS doesn't HTF?

[Mandlaka]

I think it is very unlikely that the world will know true peace.
it never really has. It has merely moved from one era to another and the focus of the conflicts have changed. Humans are rather stupid in general because we never really learn from history.
It would be good to live those many years and amass a lot of great kit to help when TSHTF. Even if it does not hit, my sons and grandkids will certainly have something to pass on. And oh yes something will eventually happen. Even if it is after my time in the time when the grandkids are adults and parents themselves, they would have a huge headstart over most others because I would have spent time with them and taught what I knew and on which they would build and thus raise thri chances of survival when the TS finally did hit. I don't think a better legacy could be left to those that come after us.

Very thought provoking topic.

[bigpaul]

I think given the state of the world today and the amount of people living on one small rock in space, its not a case of IF TSHTF but WHEN! and I think it will be sooner rather than later.

[Tibbs735]

For me, an enormous amount of what is called prepping overlaps with eco-friendliness, self-sufficiency, homesteading etc, all the stuff that lots of people are already interested in without worrying about the collapse of western civilization.

So If I do reach 90, and nothing has happened, then I will have lived a rich and fulfilling life, one with nature, in touch with the various man made and ecological systems which keep me alive. I will know where my food comes from, and how to grow it. I will be truly free; an independent thinker. The little silver I have invested in will make a good inheritance. I will be prepared for the little disasters, though most will be avoided through a solid-prepper mindset.

Prepping is not buying stuff and sitting on it, waiting for something to happen. I will eat all the food I buy as it gets cycled through anyway, whilst saving money by buying now in bulk. I would be attempting to pass on books, knowledge and equipment, which would likely be scarce and precious in the future to kids and grand kids in whom I have instilled a free and independent world view, and a love of being prepared

[The Ragman]

As i've said before I don't believe in the SHTF end of society collapse thingy at all, but I do believe and know that sometimes things go wrong and usually at the most inconvenient and irritating time (usually in the middle of an online game when I'm having the best round of my life :-) ).

the boiler packs in or a minor power out due to an over exited guy in a digger or an accident outside involving an elderly neighbour etc....so that's what I prep for...we always have food heat, first aid supplies and shelter at hand to help ourselves and our neighbours.....and the final benefit is that at anytime the whim takes us we can go camping without the irritating search for equipment, the right clothes packing food shouting at the kids for taking "sooo looooong" etc....its all there, ready and waiting.

[Jonas]

If TS never HTF, I will be one happy camper. I would also be delusional if I believed that TS will never HTF... and delusions can and will kill.

I remember Hurricane Rita well. By the time FEMA found our small town, things could have been dire... but things weren't dire at all. Everybody was working together, looking out for friends and neighbors, caring and sharing. Bigger cities like Beaumont, to the south of us, were on the verge of collapse.

Lessons learned (in no particular order):
1. Make friends with your neighbors before a disaster, not during or after.
2. Find out everybody's skillsets before those skills are needed.
3. If you don't have a necessary item before a disaster, you won't be able to correct your oversight during or immediately after a disaster.
4. If you don't have independent communications, you're at the mercy of the main-stream news media and your battery supply.
5. "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" is an oxymoron. You're the moron if you believe that statement.
6. If something needs electricity to work before a disaster, it will need electricity to work during and after the disaster.
7. Hauling water is hard work.
8. Boiling water to make it potable uses up lots of time and fuel.
9. Freezers thaw and food spoils.
10. Human bowels and bladders have little regard for the state of the local Water and Sewer Department infrastructure.
11. Cooking on a camp stove or barbecue wears thin after a week or so.
12. Paper plates are easier than china plates (if you don't understand, reread #7).
13. Paper towels and paper napkins are easier than linen or cotton (if you don't understand, reread #7)
14. "Just In Time" grocery store deliveries won't be.
15 Gasoline station pumps without electricity won't pump.
16. Alkaline batteries will go dead if not replaced.
17. Oil lamps won't burn without lamp oil and wicks. Get extras of both.
18. Barbecues, camp stoves, and oil lamps won't work if you don't have matches to light them with.
19. Good hand tools work anytime. Electric tools won't.
20. Board games, card games, and books can replace television, but only if you have them on hand.

[Prepper1]

I'd rather have a stock of stuff ready to go and never be needed rather than look at my kids if anything did happen knowing I could have done something but instead chose a few good holidays over their safety and lives.

Look at what happened to the first pilgrims to the u.s. not very nice at all....now had they been prepared....

---

after all its just insurance, just in case.
when you get on a boat they have lifeboats.... parachutists have parachutes....bla bla bla

[Timelord]

If I make it to 90 without going through a major SHTF event, then not only will I be relieved, I will be happy then as now, that at least as was one of the minority on guard for humanity - without politics or religion or a clouded mind. The resulting self confidence and environment awareness will not only improve my odds on reaching 90, but will also make the journey more self assured. For that I have the survivors faith....lol.

[NorthernRaider]

(31 May 2013, 10:40)Tibbs735 Wrote: For me, an enormous amount of what is called prepping overlaps with eco-friendliness, self-sufficiency, homesteading etc, all the stuff that lots of people are already interested in without worrying about the collapse of western civilization.

Oddly enough this is almost exatly what we talked about for nearly 15 minute yesterday afternoon at Durham Unis social justice event

[MaryN]

If I live to 90 I'll be amazed! If I reach that age without something dire happening to the world or myself then I shall be one old but happy camper. I regrettably think that the world is slowly deteriorating in all the human conditions, and my own instincts are to live a life long the lines of surviving as best I can. We are careful with our possessions - not overtly material - and try to live with as small a footprint as possible. Prepping - my style - is just like having insurance. If something dire happens I hope to cope as best I can. In the meantime I make friends with my neigbours and try to encourage them to help themselves. I hope to keep things going - I shall be happy if I succeed in that.

[Skean Dhude]

(31 May 2013, 17:55)Prepper1 Wrote: after all its just insurance, just in case.
when you get on a boat they have lifeboats.... parachutists have parachutes....bla bla bla

Bear in mind that lifeboats are there to keep you alive so you can be rescued. Parachutes keep you alive so you can be rescued.

We need to have more than the keep you alive bit. We need to have enough to keep alive, move on and get on with life.