Survival in a T2K World

[mikeo80]

I have enjoyed reading the various thoughts posted under this thread. Then, a memory hit.

The other day I was re-reading one of my favorite SHTF novels, "Alas Babylon" by Pat Frank. I was struck by something the lead character, Randy Bragg, did. He put together a collection of stuff he dubbed "Iron Rations". Stuff that would keep a long time, but would not be needed until necessary.

I know we all have our own "stash". Built and designed around our interpretation of what we deem necessary.

Do any of you have "Iron Ration" supplies?

I started to divert a small amount of stuff such as bullion, instant coffee, ramen noodles, a little bit of ammo, and etc. into a file cabinet that I do not need. Food is sealed in plastic containers to keep critters away. Ammo is in a plastic storage bag to keep out air.

AS always, thoughts and comments are welcome!

My $0.02

Mike

[raketenjagdpanzer]

After Sandy hit, I reevaluated my "preparation" for hurricanes. I'm sandbagging a lot of canned foods and cycling it out when it's a year off from expy. to the church's goodwill pantry. Rushing in and buying some canned goods a week from an expected storm strike is poor planning.

I for one don't intend to be sitting here waiting on a maybe-comes-by FEMA truck with some MREs and bottled water. Nosir.

[stormlion1]

I have several cases of soup stocked away, a case or two of Ramen Noodles, ammo in metal ammo cans for the guns, several cases of water stocked away and a couple of boxes of MRE's. Lots of boxes of Saltines for basic snacking. I actually slowly use the stuff up as the year goes by and constantly replace them as there used up so the numbers remain relativly constant. If shit did go down, there is at least four months of supplies stockpiled away at any one time and that's not counting other foods in my kitchen. Main problem is transporting it if I had to relocate.

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by stormlion1

Main problem is transporting it if I had to relocate.

I agree, Stormlion1. IF SHTF, getting out would pose a major problem. Here in Fayetteville, NC, there are very few major roads going north/east/south. Almost none heading west. IF it is at all possible, I plan to shelter in place. IMHO, the road system (?) in Fayetteville would collapse very quickly. And this is a town of 75-100 thousand. The county adds another 100-150 thousand. Very small to compare to NE USA cities.

My $0.02

Mike

[stormlion1]

A advantage for me is that there lots of side roads and major roads around me so if I did have to leave getting out should be easy, and I fully expect the area to get swamped with people from Philly, North Jersey, and possibly Delaware looking for food. The plan is to get out of dodge and drive to the nearby Pine Barrens and shelter there. Most likely driving off a side road and then unpacking the truck of gear and hiking a few miles in and then transporting my gear deeper as I go. I would also disable the truck in place by removing the battery and tires and hiding them, so if I needed to I could get it running later. It would require multiple trips but being off the beaten path is my best bet and things like water are easily found from mutiple streams so that wouldn't be a issue. Sheltering in place for me would be a death sentence and the bulk of the people wont enter the Pines even if they thought there was food there, its too easy to get lost. Currently replacing my tent and sleeping bag though as I have become concerned there not up to par with conditions if I had to rough it for too long. Good for short trips, but anything longer than a week and there will be problems.

[headquarters]

Up here in Norway I guess the winter is going to be the the enemy - competition for food and fuel ( wood) would be harsh given the prepper type SHTF situation.

Without electricity heating would be gone and with periods lasting weeks or months with severe cold, people in the cities would keel over or kill eachother off in a short time.

In the countryside people would fare better I guess. They have access to firewood and possibly farms nearby. Pre electricity early industrial Norway Norway had less than 1 million people. Today we have past 5 million inhabitants.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by headquarters

Pre electricity early industrial Norway Norway had less than 1 million people. Today we have past 5 million inhabitants.

This, I believe, is a very telling figure. Once the power goes out in the T2KU, I foresee a similar population collapse on a global scale, factoring in casualties from war (both nuclear and conventional), disease, starvation, exposure, etc.