Who has an emergency stock?

[bestthingever]

I have a small bit of the survivalist in me. I keep all our emergency and kayaking gear by the door. This includes tents sleeping bags, big first aid kit, therma rest and my Bail out bag( also known as the Oh S*** bag( this bag goes with me all the time, it contains everything from fire starter to saw and emergency blanket). We have water filters in working order and on hand. For a really big scary thing we have a rally point accessible only by boat. I also keep a good supply of things like honey, brown rice dried beans etc on hand. I tend to keep the vehicles filled with gasoline also. in our gear we have a coffee steeper (kayak style) small and light weight. I have 2 very good backpacker stoves, I keep all the fuel bottles filled so they are ready to go at the drop of a hat. I also have on hand instant soup( in the packets) there are times it taste gourmet. Small packets of instant cocoa, A good supply of cliff bars and energy gells as well as dog food set aside. There is a ton more stuff but those are the highlights I can think of ( of course candles) This is just day to day stuff and the way I have the household set up. All of this gear will pack into 2 of our kayaks easily.

I've been reading a little bit of a survivalists' blog lately...very informative stuff. I've also heard your Bail Out bag referred to as a G.O.O.D. bag (Get Out Of Dodge). I worry about something 'big' happening, and not just a bad storm or something.

 

[Mary Kay]

I find it best to think in terms of a big storm..fire..flood ect. instead of a big bang event. people have a tendancy to go overboard with the what ifs, and then can't sleep or have panic attacts. You can only worry about the the things you can deal with..the big willies are stuff of nightmares and one can never prepare for them.

 

[bestthingever]

You're right, MaryKay. I probably shouldn't read those blogs, lol !

 

[Chiqa]

I've been reading a little bit of a survivalists' blog lately...very informative stuff. I've also heard your Bail Out bag referred to as a G.O.O.D. bag (Get Out Of Dodge). I worry about something 'big' happening, and not just a bad storm or something.

The gear I mentioned and a bit more serves for up to 3 purposes. Kayak camping ( we go for a week at a time , carry all our gear and basically live out of our boats) minor emergency's( loss of power etc) and any potential big issue. This way it it is not wasted equipment, Ii rotate the food, update the first aid kits etc at a minimum of every 6 months because we are using things allot.

 

[Mary Kay]

Chiqa, That's the way it should be I think. have plans, have, gear..be ready! No panic, no fear, just strong women who do what they always do..take care of it!

 

[Ruchamah]

Remember what it was like at Y2K? Most people barely noticed and some people over-responded. And it was a dud, LOL. But hubby and I decided a few years ago that if the economy tanked we all might not get off so easy. So....we prepared, after a fashion. I learned how to put up dry foods, like wheat etc. up so it would last ~15yrs. Have a gargage full of 5 gallon buckets!
Also have the Go bag prepared, but figger that most people will be headed towards where I am, not away from it, LOL
And plenty of canned goods and other staples. And a Berkey water filter (uses no electricity, yay!). Let me say that I dont have to spend any time worrying about being prepared for any eventuality. lol
Ruch

 

[kabton]

I live in the Blizzard state of Western NY so we are always stocked up :~)

 

[Mary Kay]

Welcome Ruchamah and kabton..I think I already welcomed you..but since they are free, have two!
I got caught up in the Y2K thingie. But I will be forever grateful that I did. I made some wonderful friends on several Y2K boards. Those ladies taught how to stock, rotate, and make it yourself.
With my stocl Mike and I made it through a year of his being out of work. I could'nt work for well over two years when my diabetes got so out of control my eyesight was too blurry to do much and my BP went nuts.
We were able to send a whole thanksgiving dinner other then the turkey to my son's house mates. We shared during the hurricanes with neighbors. (batteries, flashlights, BBQ stuff ect.).
I will never regret learning to stock, learning to be creative or making those wonderful friends.
They taught me this:
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without!
I feel now like I can get through almost anything if I keep my head..stock up and have friends who will teach me.

 

[kabton]

They taught me this:
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without!
I feel now like I can get through almost anything if I keep my head..stock up and have friends who will teach me.

That is a great thing to live by

 

[bestthingever]

Does anyone have or use a food dehydrator ? That seems like something good to have if you want to preserve food.

And what's a Berkey water filter ? Expensive ?

 

[Chiqa]

I am getting a food dehydrator this year, I haven't had one in some time. WE have allot of apples on the place we rent drying them will be very economical.

 

[wezzie]

MaryKay,

I just ordered a camping shower through ebay. Thank you very much for the idea.

 

[Mary Kay]

Wezzie, They are goofy, but it was nice to have clean hair and a non clorined rinse!
I have never used a food dehydrator..is it hard to use?

berkeley water filter

My camp shower looks like the bladder type..it was like $5.00 at wal-mart. You fill it with water and lay it in the sun..in a short time you have very hot water! hang and shower!

Camp Shower, Solar Sun Shower, Camping Shower, Battery Powered Solar Shower, Portable Camping Shower, Outdoor Camp Shower, Shower Tent, Solar Shower Bag, Camp Shower, Solar Sun Shower, Camping Shower, Battery Powered Solar Shower, Portable Camping Sh

 

[Ruchamah]

It is a Berkey water filtration system. Yes it is pricey however: it is not reliant on a power source other than gravity. It will do small amounts of water or you can get a bigger one to meet your needs. In my opinion, water is one of the most troubling parts of being prepared due to its fragility (needs to be changed out fairly freqwently) and the amount and weight needed. So for us, the Berkey was the reasonably priced alternative.
This is the link we used, I think: PreparedPlanet Big Berkey Water Filters and Water Purifiers They offer free shipping!
Always check around on price/shipping etc. but this place was just fine, we received the product as described and even bought extra filters. We have a lot of springs in my area, so we would be able to get water but would be unable to DRINK it without the Berkey! Not needing a power source is a huge plus.
Have fun preparing!
Ruch