Prepping

[Mobasser]

My wife and I went to visit our youngest daughter last Saturday, in Kansas City. On the way home I noticed a new Preppers Store had opened. Out of curiosity, we stopped in to look around. The owner is selling all sorts of survival gear, knives of all sizes and shapes, freeze dried foods, " bug out bags", and everything else you could imagine for folks to survive. But, the question is survive what? A zombie attack? A food shortage? An electrical power outage? All of the items in the store are not cheap either. He told us when the SHTF, grab your bug out bag and get out. But, go where? It's always been a good idea to be prepared if you can. Before winter I always keep jumper cables, a tow strap, and extra gloves, warm.hat in my truck. A pocket knife is always with me too. We have what we need at home also. Tools, a small generator, food etc. Personally, I think this man is preying on people's fears. As long as you can convince people that something bad is going to happen, there will be a market for all this stuff, even if people have no clue what will happen. I'm not buying into all this. I'm as preppared now, as I've always been.Bring it on. Instead of buying a new "bug out bag", I'd rather buy some new plastic worms, or a new casting reel. That way, I can enjoy what I like the most. Fishing! Any thoughts or opinions on all this prepping? If your a prepper, what are you prepping for?

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Personally, I think this man is preying on people's fears. As long as you can convince people that something bad is going to happen, there will be a market for all this stuff, even if people have no clue what will happen.

I've got my own 'stash' in case of extended power outages and stuff. The modern market IS preying on the 'uninformed' and getting them to dole out 3x, 4x, more for these supplies than what they would if they'd just use some common sense. But of course 'common sense' seems to be lacking these days, and people are more interested in the 'immediate gratification' than in saving money by having to do a little work.

[NYWayfarer]

57 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

But, the question is survive what? A zombie attack? A food shortage? An electrical power outage? All of the items in the store are not cheap either. He told us when the SHTF, grab your bug out bag and get out. But, go where?

Zombie attack, Nuclear war, Planet killer meteor strike or super volcano eruption, I think I want to be one of the first to go in those situations. Why would you want to survive? The aftermath of those events would be a life of misery.

 

My bug out bag would contain a way to end it quick and painless.

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Zombie attack

 

And yes, I do have a sword to do this with.

[NYWayfarer]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

 

And yes, I do have a sword to do this with.

I would have stayed with the doctor at the CDC when he blew it to kingdom come in the first season of the Walking Dead. Starving to death, dying of thirst or being eaten alive ain't my thing.

[NHBull]

Most preppers prep for civil  unrest and there is a huge industry to sell you anything you need.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, NHBull said:

Most preppers prep for civil  unrest and there is a huge industry to sell you anything you need.

And no matter which side of the aisle the new admin is on, the prepper industry plays on certain fears. They just switch which fears to rise up depending on which end of the 'see-saw' is up at the current time.

[12poundbass]

I thought it was just a fad that ended years ago. Apparently not.

[TnRiver46]

I have to go to these peoples houses to trap rats and mice all the time. Matthew 6:19-20 is good reading on the subject 

[NYWayfarer]

20 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I have to go to these peoples houses to trap rats and mice all the time. Matthew 6:19-20 is good reading on the subject 

That's some mighty poor preppers. The rats and mice would be food sources after the apocalypse...

[TnRiver46]

33 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

That's some mighty poor preppers. The rats and mice would be food sources after the apocalypse...

If you store up enough food, rodents will find it 

[jimmyjoe]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

If you store up enough food, rodents will find it 

   If you store up enough food, desperate people will find it. And they will find you. And they will find a way to do away with you.

   In the very unlikely event that society does break down, preppers will be targets.   jj

[NHBull]

.....while not the same, but the grocery stores around me have about 3 days supply in the event of a storm or natural disaster.  Most families don’t have 7 days of supplies. Seams to me being prepared is being prudent.......and yes, bullets can be as valuable as bread.

Having 30 days of MRE’s isn’t “prepping” is being responsible.

[NorcalBassin]

I think for most preppers (not hardcore, bunker style) it's being able to stay in place for a few days in case of power outages, natural disasters, or short term civil unrest. When PG&E did the planned "safety" power outages here the past few weeks during peak fire conditions even people in rural areas used to being without power from time to time were freaking out and cleaning out grocery stores and gas stations. Prepping for something like that in advance and being able to comfortably stay in place while others are out and about in a panic is well worth the little effort it requires.

 

As far as preying on people's fears you're spot on... it's a business and today's social polarization and catastrophizing of everything is a perfect storm to make it lucrative for them.

[roadwarrior]

Everyone should have at least a three day supply of food and water. First responders will

rescue you in that time frame if you live in almost any town. If you are isolated, better plan

on stocking more supplies. Canned goods are the best option.

 

??

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   If you store up enough food, desperate people will find it. And they will find you. And they will find a way to do away with you.

   In the very unlikely event that society does break down, preppers will be targets.   jj

The preppers are prepping for that as well. Guns, ammo and booby traps oh my!

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

The preppers are prepping for that as well. Guns, ammo and booby traps oh my!

   Although I understand the consequences of such an occurrence, I sincerely hope that it NEVER, EVER happens. Natural disasters are bad enough.   jj

[TnRiver46]

I’m in no danger of wasting away, I keep a layer of flour tortilla formed insulation around my midsection........ I’m also capable of obtaining food and water without stores or electricity. If for some reason I’m unable, I have lots of friends. It was only two generations ago in my family when nobody had anything and they did fine  

[NYWayfarer]

34 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Although I understand the consequences of such an occurrence, I sincerely hope that it NEVER, EVER happens. Natural disasters are bad enough.   jj

Same here.

 

If you read the World War Z novel there was a chapter in it regarding how a "Kim Kardashian" type was live streaming from her compound in the early days of the zombie apocalypse. She had rations and security for survival and safety. During one of the live streams the compound was attacked not by zombies but by people that were watching the stream and realized she had food and items they wanted.

[Logan S]

I think for many, it's just sort of a hobby...Or maybe a distraction from the boring daily grind.  

 

If you're honest about it...The best prep you could do for some type of disaster is not really about having 'stuff' - It's training.  Physical training like running, hiking, or other things to get you in good physical shape.  Practical training like first aid, fabricating, or even some type of professional firearm training (like a rifle course) for the one's heavy into the gun side of prepping.  

 

Having the stuff stockpiled will only get you so far...IMO anyway. You'll need to fix things, get places without vehicles, and possibly defend yourself.  Having the stuff to do that without the knowledge or training to go along with it won't get you very far.  

 

FYI, I'm not a prepper...I don't need another hobby .