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just a few general tips
Have you ever thought about some little things you can do to ensure your response to the initial part of a disaster or crisis is made just that little bit easy by forethought and planning.
Silly little things like ensuring your car is pointed the right way in the street for a quick getaway, or reversed onto your drive so that your boot / hatch/ tailgate is nearest the house for quick loading of BOBS, and also for a quick getaway.
Having hooks or hangers already mounted on the wall of the rooms you will want to hang candle lanterns, light sticks or drape 12vdc LED lights off rather than say trying to find suitable spots to stick an unprotected lit candle during a power cut.
Things like keeping a Light stick or flashlight ready for use next to your fuse-box / distribution board to help you see when the breakers trip out.
Keeping a bag or tub ready with paper / kindling/ matches/ fire lighter’s and small pieces of wood etc ready and close to hand for getting the wood stove going in a hurry.
Revisiting pre-arranged pick up points a couple of times a year just to ensure that “spot†you chose to collect your wife/ kids etc as the SHTF is still suitable.
Keeping a suitable knife sharpener WITH your EDC blade
Making a note and keeping it update with the locations of all 24 hour service station in your area for sourcing fuel, and notes of all major long term road works that could impede your bug in / bug out
Keeping some precut plywood boards of the size of your windows ready, predrilled and with screws/ plus in a bag taped to them for the quick boarding up of your windows if damaged or security needs demand.
Fastening something colourful and retro-reflective to your car radio antenna to help you spot it when parked up in a large modern crowded car park
Keeping a bow/ string/ quiver/ and arrows or air rifle and ammo bagged and ready for instant loading to the BOV or as a response to a developing incident.
Storing a flashlight with the batteries taped to the outside or stored separately in a pouch so that you’re not looking for batteries to feed the torch in a blackout, and the batteries are not slowly discharging themselves when stored within the flashlight.
Always keeping your car keys, shades, EDC knife and kit in the same spot in the house so you’re not rummaging around looking for em if TSHTF.
Have a short key word or phrase agreed with your family members that if you send to them by text or messenger or voice mail that tells them to drop what they are doing immediately and respond to the agreed but out plan.
Keeping your BOB near the nearest exit
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Always reverse into a parking space so you can make a quick getaway if necessary
Never let your fuel tank get under half full.
Always keep enough treated (preservative) stored (in safe jerry cans) fuel to get you to your home or BOL if TSHTF
Your EDC blade is likely to get a fair amount of work demanded of it, so always keep a sharpening tool with it to keep it both sharp and safe.
If you find cute little red worms in the stream or water source you are thinking about drinking, think again Blood worms only live in sewage
Belly button fluff and fluff from the tumble drier make excellent fire lighting tinder.
Coins can be beaten into arrowheads
If you buy expensive goods like flat screen TVs, Stereos etc take the packaging straight to the tip or put it in your neighbours bin so you don’t advertise you have bought nickable goods by leaving the boxes by your wheely bin.
Regardless of your choice of bow always ensure you have spare strings for it.
If you are storing tyres for winter or the apocalypse keep them laid flat on their sides in a cool room out of direct sunlight. Sunlight ages tyres, heat dries them out and if you leave them stored on their treads they will eventually become D shaped and useless. Tyres that come wrapped in a bandage of brown paper should be left wrapped until needed.
Your EDC gear should be kept on your person and not in a bag or pouch, just imagine getting into a bit of trouble and losing or having your bag stolen!!
Spare wheels for your BOV should never be stowed or hung from the underside of the vehicle, it makes them much harder to access when needed especially on soft ground or in bad weather, relocate it to the tailgate, roof or inside the vehicle.
If your prep supplies and kit are in one of your residences rooms that have a window fitted then fit it with a net, blind or mirror film to stop nosy neighbours or window cleaners or passing tradesmen from seeing your cache.
Wax the string on your bow or crossbow after at least every third shooting session
If your BOV is over 5 years old flush and change the Coolant (anti-freeze) early alcohol based types evaporate away, and modern glycol based coolants additives breakdown over time
In vehicles over 5 years old it is normal for water, rust, sediments and sludge to lay in the bottom inch or so of the tank, so if you run your tank right down you risk sucking up this muck and clogging your fuel system
Don’t overfill your water containers if they are stored in unheated outhouses or vehicles because if they freeze in winter they could burst.
Find time one evening to see how good your blackout procedures are with your curtains and blinds, can you stop all light from showing outside because after TSHTF light is going to attract far more unpleasant things than moths
For god’s sake BEFORE you go out on a night recce TURN OFF YOUR PHONE
If you are going to leave your BOV stored unused leave the hand brake off so it doesnt sieze up when its needed, some folks also put their vehicles on jacks so the tyres dont take a set. Some leave fuel tanks full and treated others completely drain them down to stop laquering clogging up the fuel system. If garaaged dont leave doors fully closed just on the first latch to stop the door seals flattening out, some folks like to spray door rubbers with silicone spray aerosols.
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