What do you prepare for?

What scenarios do you prepare for?

Urban security in normal times?
Urban security in times or social unrest?
Lost in the wilderness due to accident?
Dropped from a plane?
Lost at sea?
Weather catastrophe at home?
Weather catastrophe away from home?
Natural catastrophe other than weather?
Man-made catastrophe other than social unrest?
Social collapse?
TEOTWAWKI?

Just wondering.

Add to the above list:
Loss of job
Loss of home due to fire/flood/etc
I also put lost at sea and dropped from a plane as a low priority since I don't travel by plane or boat:)

I don't know if I have identified specifically what I am preparing for. I do know I am not preparing for TEOTWAWKI. Too invovled for me.

I would say my primary goal is to have enough supplies and information on hand for my family to easily survive and thrive in our home for several weeks without utilities and resupply from normal commerical stores. I assume the roads will be unpassable or unreliable. I expect the weather to be severe so we keep alternate heating, cooking, lighting, and water supplies on hand. The kids and I periodically take out various supplies and test them in the backyard as a game. They learn and the equipment gets tested.

I expect there to be everyday problems as my family goes about our life. So in the vehicle I carry supplies to help us cope. My oldest playes sports and occasionally gets injured. So far he has twisted both ankles and broken his arm. The splint kit with ice pack has been used several times. The weather turns cooler than expected so I have extra wind breakers, blankets, candles and matches in the car. I keep a folding shovel to help dig us out when at the beach or if slide off the road in the winter. During the warmer months I usually have several additional water bottles in the vehicle.

As part of a Search and Rescue team I go hiking about in unfamilar terrority. Everything from suburban neighborhoods, to large farm fields and acres of timber. I carry supplies to allow me to "camp out if I get turned around and a might confused" while searching.

When my family goes on road trips, I throw an extra duffle in the vehicle with tow straps, road flares, extra tools, jackets, etc just in case something unexpected happens. I have road maps of our state and the 5 nearest states in the vehicle.

When we go to the beach or lake, I bring along life jackets for every family member. I am out of shape and practice but I completed life guard training years ago. I train swiftwater rescue techniques with the rescue squad on a regular basis which includes basic life guard skills.

A week ago I took a building collapse shoring class as part of my rescue squad training. I have about half the state required materials for building collapse for a rescue squad on hand at my house in case I need to "help out" around the neighbordhood.

I used to be an EMT. I keep a a basic first aid around most of the time and keep more indepth supplies at home. My wife took 40 hr First Responder class back in the late 80's. She is a good helper but does not remember much of the class.

As part of a technical rescue team that provides building collapse, confined space, trench, swiftwater, rope, and search response, I train constantly to keep my skills current. At the same time I want my family to be able to care for itself when I am called away to help others.

I would say that I try to live the Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared" by always having a few things available. I identify exits and stairways when entering buildings, I count doorways between my hotel room and the stairway so can find the stairs in the dark crawling on my hands in a smoke covered hallway. I choose parking spots that are under the light when using public parking. I try to always have at least $20 cash on hand to handle the unexpected. I look at the indicator dial on fire extingishers as a I walk by to see if they are still charged. I occassionally check the inspection card to see when last inspected. I carry a Leatherman everyday.

Living in SoCal, I am always mindful of The Big One, a 7+ earthquake, and so I try and remain ready for that. Also on my list are wildfires spreading into town and various forms of social unrest. Since I get outdoors a fair amount, I try and equip myself appropriately for those occasions, which most likely would require an extra night or two in the woods and some measure of medical treatment. I try to be ready to help others in local incidents - help with first aid before the fire department arrives, and the like. Basically, if you are ready for an earthquake, you are ready for just about anything.

Primarily I keep my outdoor gear organized and ready to use (not always successfully, I might add). If the house is destroyed, we will set up in the yard and camp out. Under the bed I keep a crowbar, a working light, a jumsuit, and old sneakers, along with the gas shutoff tool. I always know where my glasses are. Food for about a month for the entire family is always on hand. We all review our plans periodically.

Over the years, we have had little mini events which I feel keep us sharp - we were on the edge of the Northridge quake, doing without electricity for a day. Ten years ago, a wildfire burned within a quarter mile of our house, and I had the van loaded and ready to drive away if necessary. We felt good about the priority list we had developed for such an event. First aid training and gear comes in handy all the time.

I do occasional trips to the Channel Islands - two coming up next month - and water safety is an issue. The vessels I travel on are USCG certified, properly equipped, and I know the crews are competent, so I don't worry much there. I always have my personal PSK items within reach when at sea, especially a Leatherman tool. The papers today are carrying a story about the recovery of a missing fishing vessel - the crew of two is lost. It makes me thoughtful, because I have seen the boat around the harbor, although I did not know the crew.

You gotta be prepared...

well mine preparation is primarily EDC type of preparenes. Some of mine EDC stuff "saved" me a few times, like mine LED light, fellow students tend to turn the lights off, wenn i'm answering nature's call, usually wenn i'm answering a big call <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
Mine tools come in handy to very often. Mine FAK helped me out a few times wenn i was injured.all those things are just usefull in everyday life. Mine PSK is a lot less usefull for everyday, but i sometimes end up in deserted places, so i case i can't get back i got the right stuff with me ( i still have to make a "urban" PSK... ). The rest of mine survival gear is for wenn go in the wild on purpose and want a little bit more protection. So i don't have survival stuff for any disasters, exsept for wilderness problems, proberbly due to mine low budget. But i proberbly won't make to many kits because there ain't much treaths were i live.

Probably like most posters to this forum, I'm pretty well prepared for urban situations in non-crisis times just with my EDC. However, this forum has greatly increased my awareness of the more exotic eventualities, such as the ones listed by miniMe. As a result, I prepared a Bug-Out Scenario worksheet, with input from some of you folks, and posted it on the web for easy access. Just like our kits, I'm constantly tinkering with the list:

http://www.roblester.com/rob/bugout.htm

On another note, I'm finding it challenging to "complete the circle" on this type of preparedness thinking when it comes to my children. I have a 3-year old and a newborn. I'm sure other parents out there can attest to how long it takes sometimes to get little ones ready to leave the house, even for just a simple outing. Sometimes I wonder how quickly we could do it if our lives depended on it. I suppose a drill is in order.

I do not visit cities all that often as I live in the country and we are rarely/never effected by natural disasters/freak weather conditions, so I am primaraly preparing for wilderness survival although not nessesaraly "Lost in the wilderness due to accident?"

At some point preparations cease to be this intellectual artifact outside of our daily reality. I have my outdoor stuff and, like Don earthquakes and fire are the realities in our cities. Civil unrest in our nieghborhoods of Ventura county would likely be caffiene addicted yuppies finding the local Starbucks closed <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> My rifle has a fascinating eggnest down the barrel. I am hoping to see what emerges before a black helicopter hovers over my apt again. Teotwawki, or whatever Kokopelli's brother's name is, is not a concern. The story of the Spartans should be remembered. They conquered a larger greek society ( the Helots,) and became a warrior society to preserve their status. Thats fine if you want to spend 24/7 as a slave to the slaves. I prefer Ouzo and stuffed grape leaves <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In terms of wilderness scenarios about the worst case for me would be a broken leg while on a hike off the beaten track.
That actually happened to my dad on a hunting trip in Wisconson. He ended up dragging himself a few miles with a shattered shin. That left an impression. A simple hike can turn into an ordeal and I do lots of "simple hikes". I make sure I can signal, drink water, stay warm, or spend the night if I go out in the bush.

I take self-defense very seriously. Back in PA I have a CCW and usually carry. My minimum is a .38 special J-frame revolver but my normal carry gun is a Kahr K-9 or Glock 19. Here in Brazil I don't have a CCW (yet) but I do carry a Spyderco Endura or Newt Livesay neck knife as an EDC.

As far as our home goes I think it important to be able to avoid social unrest. About the worst case scenario for Brazil is a Police strike. When that happens it is very dangerous to venture outside and you have to bunker down and prepare for a home invasion. We have had one home invasion in my apartment building this year. I keep two loaded revovers in the house and often carry at home at night.

We keep at least a weeks supply of food and water in and I keep our camping gear organized in case we ever have to leave. Mac

I've prepared for the sorts of things that might befall the Nation's Capitol. This site has helped tremendously. Four things have been key to my preparation: FEMA's website; Equipped to Survive, this forum, and Rob's handy-dandy Excel spreadsheet. Thanks!

As for the TEOWAWKI, or whatever, I prepare on a daily basis -- I pray. I pray that it doesn't happen and I pray for salvation if it does. Is there any other way to prepare?

atty_guy

Thanks!

Good subject.

I am preparing for the possibility of :

- Disruption of utilities
- Loss of one of the kids (such as lost in a big city)
- Chaos and loss of social order ( temporarily after a disaster )

How about you ?

1. utility disruption
2. big storms

I primarily plan for wilderness survival. I have limited recourses and figured that enough of my wilderness survival prep (light weight food, camping gear, etc) overlaps with survival prep for disasters that I should be ok. Worst case scenario, I figure I?d just head for the hills. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

1. Car breakdown in adverse conditions (TX heat, cold)
2. Stuck in wilderness (lost during camping activity, etc.)
3. 72 hr assignment as part of county amateur radio emergency response.

Fortunately, preparing for item 3 covers about all of item 1. Item 2 is largely covered by a much smaller kit.

Flood (marooned with water around, but not flooded here)
Toxic spill (RR /highway near)
High winds/power outages
Unusual heavy snow/power outages
Earthquake
Volcano eruption (just ash here)

So much of the needs overlap that most plans aren't separated as to cause.

Sue

Lost and/or injured in wilderness.
Vehicle stuck/broke down in backcountry.
Criminal activity directed at me.
Blizzard.
Earthquake.
Chemical spill.

Things I worry about but do not "prepare" for as such would include avalanche and lightning. Not much to do about them except avoid them in the first place. As far as Deep Impact events go, you can't really do a lot to avoid them so why worry? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Most of my preps center around cold weather at the moment because of where I live. Slick roads, loss of power and heat. I keep wool blankets, food, tarp, fire kit, extra clothing and an ax and shovel in the car. In my dorm I keep a sleeping bag and bivy sack (which also go in the car for long hauls or trips to the mountains) and a king sized Hudson Bay blanket on my bed. I suspect a fire would be more dangerous then cold in my small room. I figure if I'm prepared for spending a couple of days to a week with out powerr in the snow I have most other situations pretty well covered.

I also prepare for day to day dangers esp. other people and I carry kit when I go hiking.

[What scenarios do you prepare for?]

Here in central New York, taxes and politicians <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Oh, and jaw-dropping lake effect snow blizzards. Three feet, snowed in for a week...happens.
Injury during hiking (lots of gorges)
Fire in the homestead
Lots of other common stuff
No earthquakes, hurricanes tsunamis, wildfires here.

Just the local concerns here in Seattle:

Earthquake
Volcano
Snow

Cameron

Being here in the middle of the country & so far from the ocean the lost at sea, hurricane, tsunami, etc. aren't on the list.

A major terriorist attack that affects the food supply chain is #1 for me. And if you're aiming for that one you will by default cover most other areas as Susan has already pointed out.

One downside with a major earthquake is that all my supplies are in our storage area & if our house collasped & burned we would be hurting until I could get resupplied.

I think everyone is susceptible to an earthquake. Keep in mind that the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811 rang the church bells in Boston. Just because you haven't experienced one in your lifetime doesn't mean...

Can you split your supplies. I have a lot in my garage but have some in a closet at the other end of the house. Stuff that might get used/rotated a bit more requesnt.

I prepare fora nuclear incident. If I am prepared for that, I am prepared for just about anything!
I carry equipment & supplies with me based on where I am going and what I expect to do.
I do a Risk Assessment before I embark on anything outside of the home. It seems that very little happens to me IF I remain prepared for anticipaterd & unanticipated plot complications in this endeavor that we so fondly refer to as "LIFE".

* Economic collapse - I think this is the biggest threat we currently face
* Weather issues
* civil unrest due to a government that has ignored our constitution
* Power grid failures

The longterm stored food needs the 68 degree stable temps that are in the back corner of our Earth-berm home. Though the gear should probably be moved to the garage for easy outside access.

I've started keeping a BOB at my desk at work which has quite a few calories in it. PB, honey, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, etc. so we have a weeks basic calories in the extreme scenario of a major Stinky Stuff hitting the Rotating blades.

I live in Dallas-Ft. Worth and rarely venture out of the metropolitan areas during normal days. If I travel I do a risk assessment and try to prepare accordingly.

For the DFW Area:
Weather: Ice Storm (wide impact, probably 24-48 hours, 72 max); Tornado (localized impact, could result in 24 hr power outage to full destruction of the house); Heat Wave and drought (wide impact, power outages and water shortages, lasts probably a week to several months)

Civil Unrest - (riot? Uncertain about impact and length of time of disruption) I haven't really thought through this one.

Chemical Spill - likely evacuation for hours to several days. This already happened once in my 13 years of living here. Got to leave work early.

Hurricane - In 2005 they thought Rita was going to pass over DFW and still be a category 1 hurricane (or powerful tropical storm). Possibly wide impact but really unlikely. More likely would be lots of people descending on DFW when evacuating Houston and Gulf Coast.

Cowboys loss - possible civil disorder and unrest, followed by malaise and depression over large area. Violence response would only occur if T. Owens returns for another season. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

ZOMBIES !!!
I HATE ZOMBIES!!

Weather, loss of public utilities due to weather or other, public unrest (read riot) for whatever reason, injuries (to myself or others), bad guys in general.

We live full time in our motorhome, traveling the western US doing volunteer camp hosting to help with expenses. That probably gives us a head start over some, 'cuz we always have probably two weeks worth of food on board, 100 gals of fresh water, empty holding tanks (or near so, we dump whenever we can), a built in generator, six house batteries, solar panels to help keep them charged, a large built in propane tank, and a carry around bottle that we run off of when stopped, keeping the built in as full as possible at all times. Lots of blankets, and all season clothing, including rain gear. We have chains for it, a shovel, axe, hatchet, saw, rope, tow strap, full set of wrenches and sockets, the usual pliers and screwdrivers, etc, a set of spare hoses and belts, two fire extinguisers, and I don't recall what else. We never let the gas guage get below half (on either vehicle).

In the little 4WD SUV we tow is our tent camping gear, three person three season tent, two mummy bags, pads, lantern, axe, saw, etc, two+ days worth of food, a single burner stove with fuel, about three gal of water, two sets of chains, tools and parts similar to the ones in the RV, and a portable air compressor capable of inflating the big RV tires to 100+psi in a short time. Fire extinguiser.

CB radio built in to each vehicle, 1000 channel multi band scanner, set of FRS radios, solar/battery/crank multi band (including weather) radio. DVD/VHS player with a couple hundred DVD's.

We keep a shotgun in the RV, and as a retired LEO with HR218 card, I can carry my Karh MK-40 nationwide (and usually do).

As a former EMT I have put together a pretty good little first aid kit (actually two, one in each vehicle), so if we get ourselves hurt, or come upon someone else injured, we can at least do some pretty good first aiding.

Our theory is that if we are in the boonies when things happen, we can live unassisted for quite a while. If in a more urban area, we can get the heck out of Dodge (if the roads will allow)...

PREFACE: 61 YEAR OLD REMOTE STORE OWNER - BOISE COUNTY, IDAHO. 911 calls can expect 30min to 2hr response. Locals recommend calling 911 to inform the dispatcher how you solved your problem and where they can contact you tomorrow.

IN ORDER OF CONCERN - My top 10

1. Armed holdup - home invasion - bungled burglary
2. Robbery/mugging or trapped in Boise
3. Pit Bull-Rottweiler attack at store or in Boise
4. Car on fire in parking lot next to store
5. Wolf/bear attack of hunting dogs and pack llamas
6. Tanker/fuel accident in front of store on hwy 55
7. Stranded on wilderness hike in winter storm
8. Forest/grass fire
9. Failure of the Cascade, Idaho dam
10. Isolation due to epic/social event

Prepare for everything except the social collapse. Sounds a lot like the chaos after the Rapture. I for one have already made plans to be "away" when that occurs. :-)

TEOTWAWKI? "The end of the world as we know it?" Not sure if this is the correct interpetation of the abbreviation - but this may be possible if we get hit by a huge metorite or such.

1. Loss of utilities
2. Blizzard
3. Flash flood
4. Emergency Evac
5. Urban unrest (riots)
6. Tornados
7. Misc. severe weather

I live in northern Indiana and to me these seem like the most most probable events.

Yes