Being Prepared

:Being Prepared:

The economy on this planet is going to shit; it’s a fact of life. Europe has “solved” there debt crisis, but only by breaking their own EU constitutional rules… The EU has essentially done what the US keeps doing and that is to keep putting off their responsibilities on the next generation of leaders. Kicking the can of responsibility down the road and it is just getting fuller of debt and major issues that will make a day of serious reckoning inevitable. The economy is about as predictable as an earthquake, and just as deadly. Precious metals have hit their maximum and at this point will only go down. Let there be no doubt in you’re mind if our economy collapses gold and silver will have value, but the people who are prepared with food, water and most importantly weapons will survive and dictate policy.

I am not endorsing highway robbery as a means to survival, but others might and if you can’t protect yourself and you’re family those who are using a strong and violent offensive policy won’t care; they also won’t settle for you “paying” them off with a precious metal when they can shoot you and take whatever they want. This is a worst case scenario, but when the shit hits the fan you won’t have the luxury of betting on the police or the good nature of people saving you. It’s a grim reality, but if you look at past events from everything to revolutions in countries to natural disasters like in New Orleans with Katrina people only follow law and order when law and order controls them. I heard a saying a long time ago that really holds true, “Civilization is only skin deep” and that is the God honest truth.

Having provisions and a plan for a worst case scenario is you’re best bet of survival and safety. If you have friend or family with a remote home or cabin you will stand a better chance of survival there than you will in a city or a suburb. Cities and suburbs are bad locations to shelter in place for long periods of time for many reasons, but I will list a couple for example purposes. In a military train of mind cities are targets of massive opportunity, a target rich environment for a military to hit with strategic weapons or to plunder for resources and provisions. In the short term cities have a higher population density and no real place to hide out. There will be many people running out of all life sustaining foods, water and medicine and they will not be prepared and immediately resort to violence and theft as a means to survive.

When something catastrophic happens time will be of the essence more than people know. Reacting fast and relocating to a more secure rural environment can mean the difference between life and death. Evacuating to a secure location needs to be a decision already planned out and kept on “ice” (in case of emergency) People who are not prepared will want to come with you or be interested in were you are going. DO NOT TELL THEM or tell them a different location. If you want to survive in the new world you need to have you’re priorities straight which unfortunately does not translate to most peoples ideal concepts of morality and human ethics.

My priorities can appear aggressive in nature, but there is truth to the saying that the best defense is a strong offense. You can have all of the food and water and medicine you need to survive, but if you can’t protect yourself from being robbed or killed then it does you absolutely no good at all. This paragraph will out my recommendations for weaponry in an event requiring you to “bug out”. These selections will reflect my experience with these weapons, commonality of parts and availability of ammunition currently and theoretically in a shortage.

-Rifles:

-The AR-15: Battle tested weapon still used in variants by many militaries across the world. Large availability of ammo and parts. Excellent at short to medium range (300-400 yards w/o extensive training) does require maintenance if fired a lot or gets dirty, if neglected can foul weapon causing misfire or jam rendering weapon inert.  

-The AK-47: The most mass produced weapon on the planet, used in every major conflict in some form since the Korean War. Ammo is fairly common and about a third of the cost of AR15 ammo, and the base price for the gun is usually around half that of an AR as well. The AK-47 is much more durable and able to withstand long periods of neglect and fire without issue. I wouldn’t trust this weapon at anything more than 100 yards for accuracy reasons. I know that it is accurate at more than that, but from experience I wouldn’t bet on more than that for a rookie operator.

-Shotguns:

-Remington 870: A battle and time tested shotgun, relatively inexpensive and infinitely reliable. Comes in multiple gauges, but I own and recommend the 12 gauge express version of this gun. Short barrel ideal for close combat, not recommend for long range attack, but if you are at range, my advice is to lay low and avoid confrontation at every chance; thus limiting you’re exposure to injury/death along with family or other innocents in you’re group.   

-Handguns:

-Glock’s:, is really all I need to say. Confidently I can say they are the most common weapon. The 9mm models such as the Glock 17,19 & 26 are some of the best selling handguns in existence and 9mm is probably the most common handgun bullet on the planet. In my opinion though the 9mm lacks power and range that bigger bullets possess. My glock favorites are the .45 & .40 caliber models; both are stronger rounds than the 9mm and bring more intimidation than a 9mm.

-1911: The .45ACP bullet provides stopping power and brute intimidation. Not as common at glock and 9mm ammo, but if you can stockpile .45ACP ammo this weapon would benefit you greatly in a combat situation. This 1911 is a Kimber Tactical with a flashlight on it. Having a flashlight attached to you're weapons gives you the edge of having both hands free, but it also allows for people to see you and know which direction you're weapon is pointed.

There are many more weapons out there to choose from, but the ones listed above are proven weapons and available on a mass scale which are elements you want in a scenario in which you need to depend on them.

Typical Contents of a Bug-Out Bag

The suggested contents of a bug-out bag vary, but most of the following are usually included:

• Enough food and water to last for seventy two hours. This includes:
• 1 gallon of water per person per day, for washing, drinking and cooking.
• Non-perishable food.
• Water purification supplies.
• Cooking supplies.
• Cutlery and cups/dishes.
• A first aid kit.
• Fire starting tool (i.e. matches, ferrocerium rod, lighter, etc.) I keep one of each
• A disaster plan including location of emergency centers, rallying points, possible evacuation routes etc.
• Professional emergency literature explaining what to do in various types of disaster studied and understood before the actual disaster but kept for reference.
• Maps and travel information.
• Standard camping equipment, including sanitation supplies.
• Weather appropriate clothing (poncho, headwear, gloves, etc.)
• Bedding items such as sleeping bags & blankets.
• Enough medicine to last an extended evacuation period.
• Pet, child and elderly care needs.
• Battery or crank operated Radio. Shortwave should always be included with the radio, but there getting harder to find in the states, wonder why?
• Lighting (battery or crank operated flashlight, glow sticks). solar charger is also a good idea
• Firearms and appropriate ammunition.
• Crowbar (weapon, building and vehicle entry, etc.)
• Cash and change, as electronic banking transactions may not be available during he initial period following an emergency or evacuation.
• Barter Items like precious metals and reusable items that you have extra of and are light
• Fixed-blade or folding knife.