I don't have any friends. If anyone shows up after TSHTF, they're SOL. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Survival is a team sport!!

I've seen and heard too many stories of when asked what someone that is not prepared what they would do in case of disaster. They would show up on their "prepared friend's" door step.

Excuse Me. I think not.

While survival is a team sport. the folks I want on my team are those that are prepared to be in the game not some freeloader. Now if a fellow preper should happen to loose everything shows up I would be much more likely to help. Rather than someone that expected my preps to make up for their stupidity.

My neighbors do NOT. Nor will they ever, if I can help it. I live in a neighborhood where all too many of my 'neighbors' think a house with no one home equals a department store with a five finger discount. My close friends and family know vaguely but not in scope or detail. My coworkers - all know I have a knack for having all sorts of interesting things in my Maxpedition. A few like minded individuals are more privy to my home prep stuff - we often trade ideas etc.

Once the quarterback has yelled "disaster", no substitutions are permitted. Anyone attempting to join the play will be forcefully ejected.

My family knows somewhat about my preparedness, and my friends who pay attention know I always carry some gear with me. I've impressed my new sister-in-law many times because of this. But for the most part I live a secret preparedness life.

I don't advertise. Being a young woman, and having a slight frame, most people assume that I don't know how to do the things I know how to do. I don't show them. There is a BOB bag in the linen closet that my husband hasn't even looked through. I don't even share this community with people I know. I guess I don't really trust their reactions.

However, if you want to help your community become more prepared, just share some information with them on stuff they need to get for themselves. Post a list somewhere, maybe one that is modified to be family-friendly or office-friendly. Don't tell them what you have.

You should also be prepared, when sharing information with people, that they might appreciate it but still do nothing.

Too late for me, I’m pretty much outed.

I am the “go to” guy if you need a tool or something fixed. I helped set up the neighborhood block watch (neighbors have called me when things go bump in the night. “Why are you calling me? Call 911). I tried to organize a neighborhood emergency response team (NERT?) (Our county was promoting this years ago). I used Y2K as a reason to encourage my neighbors and family to get prepared. The outcome of Y2K was irrelevant. If not Y2K, then it will be an earthquake, if not an earthquake it will be a volcano, etc. I have given firearms training to several of my neighbors. The UPS man knew what was up when I had a large shipment of long term storage food delivered (nitrogen packed grains) to my house. I am a Boy Scout leader (Be Prepared). I’ve lived here over 20 years; everybody knows me and knows who and what I am. Low Profile is no longer an option. When the jig is up there will be lines at my door. Now, how to best handle it?

I have decided my best option is to work out arrangements that are mutually favorable. I have some medical problems, so heavy labor is out. I can trade food stuffs for work. I may take a hat and draw names allowing one neighbor a night to join us for dinner. Maybe I’ll allow the children in our neighborhood to eat breakfast (oatmeal) with us. If I completely close my doors to my neighbors my options are limited and I may have a mob on my hands. If I give away the farm, the food won’t last long and won’t serve its intended purpose of feeding my family. If I carefully share and barter, my options are open and I buy a lot of goodwill with those that may turn against me. I would really hope that the whole experience could be positive and set an example for our neighborhood to continue as a close knit group. If this is naïve, then I fall back on superior firepower.

There was a time I was young, optimistic, pro-active, “make the world a better place”, “don’t give them a fish, teach them how to fish so they can feed themselves” kinda guy.

I’m now a bit older, maybe wiser, more cynical, less naïve. I pick and chose my battles. My charity is no longer unconditional, it goes only to those that are deserving (forgive me Gandhi and Mother Theresa). If I had it to do over I’d probably keep a lower profile to keep more options open. If I ever move to a new neighborhood I’ll go into “urban stealth” mode. Hide your cards, then play what it takes to win. If my neighbors come to my door needing help, I’ll hand out “Call 911 for Emergencies” stickers to them.

TR

(Note to self: Pick up some “Call 911 for Emergencies” stickers.

Wihout a doubt, the best thought out and realistic reply I've seen on this topic to date.

Most of my friends know I have "stuff" but they do not really even know what the stuff is or what it is used for. I tend to only let people who are like minded in on the big secret. My friends that are not like minded I try to convert by reminding them to take some drinking water and a snack before they leave on long trips and then slowly working my way up to Swiss army knives on key chains.

Well, I have earned my reputation due to my bag of tricks that I mentioned elsewhere. Keep in mind that goes into other bags, which have a habit of having odd things fall into them (I have no memeory of them going in there) that happen to be very handy for the task and situation at hand. I've pulled out odd ball books that people are talking about, becuase as fate wouldhave it, I was reading them or had them in my bag as a reference for something I was doing elsewhen in the day.

"Go to Kevin, he carries everything all the time."

No, I just happened to be liked by the dryer gnomes. I will trade the occasional sock for dryer gnome logicstical support. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />