What do you do when the SHTF?

hamster · December 17, 2008, 01:41 AM

Like the title says. What do you do when an unexpected event happens and we're left to fend for ourselves? It could be a huge natural disaster where help isn't able to get into your area for weeks or even months. It could be riots. Or even some sort of terrorist attack. What do you do if you're at home when SHTF? What do you do if you're out when it happens?

Living in SoCal, my SHTF event would most likely be a major earthquake. If at home, I'd try to organize my neighbors. We'd share resources, patrol our territory, and defend it if we had to.

If at work, (25 miles away), I'd try to make it home, but if the freeways were congested, or if looters were running the streets I'd be screwed. I guess I'd wait for nightfall and try to make it there in the stealth of night. Hopefully, my family would have made it home and would be defending it. This is the scenario that I have trouble with.

workinwifdakids · December 17, 2008, 01:46 AM

In before the lock.

kametc · December 17, 2008, 01:48 AM

I try to not hit the fan with it.

stephen426 · December 17, 2008, 02:41 AM

While these types of threads typically get shut down pretty quick, it is very important to create an emergency plan. One of the first things is setting up a point of contact or meeting place to let everyone know where everyone is and what their conditions are. In the scenario you gave (earthquake), there is very little warning so you are pretty much stuck where you are when it occured. Depending on the severity, expect massive power outages and phone outages (cell phones too). Even if they work, getting through will be difficult since lines typically get flooded. Designate one contact person not living in the area so everyone can check in and coordinate. Bridges and roads may be and probably will be affected as with the freeway collapse that occured during the last bad quake.

Have you discussed your idea of creating a neighborhood "blockade"? Do you have provisions already including non-perishable food, water, medical supplies, and weapons? Do you neighbors? Are you willing to share with them even if they don't have anything? As you mentioned, who knows how long until help arrives? When the big one hits, I'm sure it will be much worse than Katrina. The population is mich higher as is the population density.

For non-earthquake scenarios, things are much more predictable. In Florida, our potential disaster is hurricanes. There is always a few days warning before they hit so its much easier to prepare for. You basically get your supplies together and prepare you house as much as possible. I suggest you get those big plastic bins and keep all your supplies in them in case you need to leave in a hurry. Be sure to bring all of your important documents! If you are in flood zones, you will probably be requried to evacuate. Florida is long and narrow so evacuation can get hairy very quickly. A few hurricanes have covered the entire state and I sure as heck would not want to be in my car during the storm. Move inland as much as possible and make sure the areas you are going to are not flood zones. Even after Andrew, people were allowed to return home rather quickly once the roads got cleared up. Looters tended to hit businesses rather than homes. Unless you advertise that you have a stock pile of goodies, what benefit is there to looting homes?

Basically, the most important thing to do is plan before hand to eliminate much of the confusion that is sure to occur.

mega twin · December 17, 2008, 06:17 AM

Make sure you're on the intake side,and not the discharge side.

RareBrit · December 17, 2008, 07:07 AM

Most important thing in a SHTF situation is preparation ... you need to have:

1. Source of clean potable water.
2. Source of non-perishable food.
3. Shelter.
4. Warmth.
5. Attitude

Water, no brainer ... however in a 'earthquake is coming' situation, it's probably best to have a method for purification rather than stock-piling. My choice would be a reverse osmosis pump, make sure it's got enough through-put to supply for the family at least. No harm in keeping a case of mineral water handy.

Food ... tins, packets, anything dry with a long shelf-life. MRE suck, canned food in preference.

Shelter ... anything that keeps out wind and rain. Keep a decent sized tent handy incase your house becomes structurally unsound.

Warmth ... wood burning stove, plenty of fuel ... means of ignition.

Attitude, most important, got to keep a level head, plan and think ahead. Things can take much longer to achieve..

pelican · December 17, 2008, 09:32 AM

water - British Berkefeld - http://www.britishberkefeld.com/britishberkefeld.html

ZeSpectre · December 17, 2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

1. Source of clean potable water.
2. Source of non-perishable food.
3. Shelter.
4. Warmth.
5. Attitude

I'll add...
6. A sanitation plan
7. A protection plan
8. Additional Manpower (Attempting to "go it alone" is begging for failure)
9. A plan to mobilize if necessary. (Few things are worse than being fully prepped and immobile and then having events force you to abandon your location.)

roach4047 · December 17, 2008, 09:41 AM

In before the shut down.

Roach

SoldiersSon · December 17, 2008, 10:44 AM

As stated, these sort of threads do close quickly. If you are really interested in being prepared, and discussing preperations with like-minded individuals, I recommend you ask your same question here: http://www.whenshtf.com or just do some reading there since it's probably been asked before.

Black_Sheep · December 17, 2008, 10:51 AM

If you are taking important medications it's a good idea to have a reasonable quantity in reserve, extra eyeglasses too...

TwoXForr · December 17, 2008, 12:57 PM

Made it before I got tagged out.

Oh and zombie, zombie, zombie, zombie, zombie, zombie and one last brain eating zombie.

KChen986 · December 17, 2008, 12:59 PM

Allocate food.

Get geared up. Wait it out and remain defensive and stealthy.

Capt. Charlie · December 17, 2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Made it before I got tagged out.

Barely.

December 17, 2008, 01:41 AM	#1
hamster Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2007 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 354	What do you do when the SHTF? Like the title says. What do you do when an unexpected event happens and we're left to fend for ourselves? It could be a huge natural disaster where help isn't able to get into your area for weeks or even months. It could be riots. Or even some sort of terrorist attack. What do you do if you're at home when SHTF? What do you do if you're out when it happens? Living in SoCal, my SHTF event would most likely be a major earthquake. If at home, I'd try to organize my neighbors. We'd share resources, patrol our territory, and defend it if we had to. If at work, (25 miles away), I'd try to make it home, but if the freeways were congested, or if looters were running the streets I'd be screwed. I guess I'd wait for nightfall and try to make it there in the stealth of night. Hopefully, my family would have made it home and would be defending it. This is the scenario that I have trouble with.

December 17, 2008, 01:46 AM	#2
workinwifdakids Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 216	In before the lock. __________________ "Lieutenant Onoda, reporting for duty, Sir!"

December 17, 2008, 01:48 AM	#3
kametc Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2007 Location: S W , Montana Posts: 206	I try to not hit the fan with it. __________________ "Allons" Blackhorse Troopers !

December 17, 2008, 02:41 AM	#4
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	While these types of threads typically get shut down pretty quick, it is very important to create an emergency plan. One of the first things is setting up a point of contact or meeting place to let everyone know where everyone is and what their conditions are. In the scenario you gave (earthquake), there is very little warning so you are pretty much stuck where you are when it occured. Depending on the severity, expect massive power outages and phone outages (cell phones too). Even if they work, getting through will be difficult since lines typically get flooded. Designate one contact person not living in the area so everyone can check in and coordinate. Bridges and roads may be and probably will be affected as with the freeway collapse that occured during the last bad quake. Have you discussed your idea of creating a neighborhood "blockade"? Do you have provisions already including non-perishable food, water, medical supplies, and weapons? Do you neighbors? Are you willing to share with them even if they don't have anything? As you mentioned, who knows how long until help arrives? When the big one hits, I'm sure it will be much worse than Katrina. The population is mich higher as is the population density. For non-earthquake scenarios, things are much more predictable. In Florida, our potential disaster is hurricanes. There is always a few days warning before they hit so its much easier to prepare for. You basically get your supplies together and prepare you house as much as possible. I suggest you get those big plastic bins and keep all your supplies in them in case you need to leave in a hurry. Be sure to bring all of your important documents! If you are in flood zones, you will probably be requried to evacuate. Florida is long and narrow so evacuation can get hairy very quickly. A few hurricanes have covered the entire state and I sure as heck would not want to be in my car during the storm. Move inland as much as possible and make sure the areas you are going to are not flood zones. Even after Andrew, people were allowed to return home rather quickly once the roads got cleared up. Looters tended to hit businesses rather than homes. Unless you advertise that you have a stock pile of goodies, what benefit is there to looting homes? Basically, the most important thing to do is plan before hand to eliminate much of the confusion that is sure to occur. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

December 17, 2008, 07:07 AM	#6
RareBrit Junior Member Join Date: October 4, 2006 Posts: 9	Prepare Most important thing in a SHTF situation is preparation ... you need to have: 1. Source of clean potable water. 2. Source of non-perishable food. 3. Shelter. 4. Warmth. 5. Attitude Water, no brainer ... however in a 'earthquake is coming' situation, it's probably best to have a method for purification rather than stock-piling. My choice would be a reverse osmosis pump, make sure it's got enough through-put to supply for the family at least. No harm in keeping a case of mineral water handy. Food ... tins, packets, anything dry with a long shelf-life. MRE suck, canned food in preference. Shelter ... anything that keeps out wind and rain. Keep a decent sized tent handy incase your house becomes structurally unsound. Warmth ... wood burning stove, plenty of fuel ... means of ignition. Attitude, most important, got to keep a level head, plan and think ahead. Things can take much longer to achieve..

December 17, 2008, 06:17 AM	#5
mega twin Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2006 Posts: 434	Make sure you're on the intake side,and not the discharge side.

December 17, 2008, 09:32 AM	#7
pelican Member Join Date: November 11, 2008 Posts: 39	water - British Berkefeld - http://www.britishberkefeld.com/britishberkefeld.html

December 17, 2008, 09:41 AM	#9
roach4047 Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Posts: 189	In before the shut down. Roach

December 17, 2008, 10:44 AM	#10
SoldiersSon Member Join Date: June 14, 2006 Posts: 81	As stated, these sort of threads do close quickly. If you are really interested in being prepared, and discussing preperations with like-minded individuals, I recommend you ask your same question here: http://www.whenshtf.com or just do some reading there since it's probably been asked before.

December 17, 2008, 10:51 AM	#11
Black_Sheep Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 198	If you are taking important medications it's a good idea to have a reasonable quantity in reserve, extra eyeglasses too... __________________ "shall not be infringed"

December 17, 2008, 12:57 PM	#12
TwoXForr Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: PA Posts: 464	Sliding head first into home Made it before I got tagged out. Oh and zombie, zombie, zombie, zombie, zombie, zombie and one last brain eating zombie. __________________ All America lies at the end of the wilderness road, and our past is not a dead past, but still lives in us. Our forefathers had civilization inside themselves, the wild outside. We live in the civilization they created, but within us the wilderness still lingers. What they dreamed, we live, and what they lived, we dream.

December 17, 2008, 12:59 PM	#13
KChen986 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Location: Ninja Mall Posts: 818	Allocate food. Get geared up. Wait it out and remain defensive and stealthy.