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#289278 - 06/09/18 03:47 AM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: gonewiththewind]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Originally Posted By: Montanero


We prepare for things that happen somewhere on a regular basis, as has been stated in other threads, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, power outages, loss of water supply, etc. ..etc... Things happen in life, and relying on someone else to help you out of it is dangerous, especially when you are expecting the government to handle it. Even the government has limited resources, many of their people lack training, their communications may not work effectively, or they may be overextended in handling large scale emergencies.

Should you worry about security? Yes. Should you be paranoid and live in fear of societal breakdown? No. Living in constant fear is counterproductive. A realistic threat assessment, based on factual historical information, is the basis of a good plan for preparedness.


Montanero speak with straight tongue!!

I might add, be part of the solution. Get training and hook up with other volunteers - in a CERT group, for example or some similar volunteer organization. I acquired first aid training up to EMT level and used it frequently for strangers who were subjects of rescues, but I frequently used it on family and friends, as well, dealing quickly with problems and getting them to definitive care before things ballooned out of control.

Timely response is a crucial factor in emergencies (the "Golden Hour"). the closer you are to the scene and the more skills you bring to bear, the more effective you are.
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#289281 - 06/09/18 10:40 AM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
jshannon Offline
Addict

Registered: 02/02/03
Posts: 647
Loc: North Texas
Look up the definition of the word prepper in the urban dictionary. It is most closely associated with another name that some may not want to be associated with.
http://forums.equipped.org/rules.html

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#289282 - 06/09/18 01:41 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: jshannon]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
So I went immediately to the Urban Dictionary and found this:

"Someone who focuses on preparedness, generally for various worst-case scenarios like peak oil or armageddon. Sometimes used to avoid the more loaded term survivalist."

Now I know ETS states up front that it is not a survivalist forum (good!). There are alternative definitions of "prepper" in the UD, one of which emphasizes the negative aspects of the activity.

Reading on some threads, one does get the impression that many preppers will be really disappointed if TEOTW does come fairly soon - they have invested heavily.
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#289284 - 06/09/18 03:23 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: hikermor]
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted By: hikermor
Reading on some threads, one does get the impression that many preppers will be really disappointed if TEOTW does come fairly soon - they have invested heavily.

I'm missing something. Why would the preppers be disappointed?

Edit: Let me add I believe it is possible to overprepare for a situation.

I'll give an example. Suppose you believe a catastrophic event will happen and the only safe place to be is in the desert. You have everything you think you need that will not be available in the desert. There are two potential problems: One, you could die before you even head to the desert. Two, depending on your mode of transportation or the lack thereof, you may not be able to bring with you everything you wanted.

Jeanette Isabelle


Edited by Jeanette_Isabelle (06/09/18 03:48 PM)
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I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. -- Wednesday Adams, Wednesday

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#289285 - 06/09/18 04:03 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Reading some threads (not all by any means) there seem to be folks who are preparing for The End and the Total Collapse, whereupon they will improve their lot considerably by virtue of their vast amounts of canned tomatoes and AR-15s. In the new order, they will rise to the top. The sooner that happens, the quicker they will improve their status...

One can think of all kinds of problems with that scenario, but there are many degrees and shades of "prepping," and in this thread I think we are discussing mostly the most extreme varieties of preparedness. Nothing at all wrong with paranoid people prepping - after all, they just might be right.

But I wouldn't bet on it.
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#289286 - 06/09/18 05:26 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
I prepare the way I do because I like the toys and other necessary equipment. If the end and total collapse actually arrives, and I find myself stuck in SOCAL with no way out I’ll be a bit peeved. That said, with current legislation coming in the next few years, I will probably have a PNW tag for my loc in the not too distant future. I’m not a native Cali and will not consider it a loss when I leave.
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Better is the Enemy of Good Enough.
Okay, what’s your point??

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#289287 - 06/09/18 05:35 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Russ]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Originally Posted By: Russ
I prepare the way I do because I like the toys and other necessary equipment.


Russ, you are giving away our true motivations. I could collapse REI if I sold all the gear, etc. that I have accumulated over the years because of my outdoor-oriented activities. And I'll bet we're not alone....
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#289288 - 06/09/18 05:36 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Russ]
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted By: Russ
I prepare the way I do because I like the toys and other necessary equipment.

I'm that way with first aid equipment. I have four first aid kits in my bedroom, one in my EDC bag, one for the household and another for the car.

Jeanette Isabelle
_________________________
I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. -- Wednesday Adams, Wednesday

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#289294 - 06/09/18 08:06 PM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
haertig Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/13/05
Posts: 2322
Loc: Colorado
A lot of my prep is simply living in a place where I don't need quite so much prep in the first place. We don't have hurricanes here, or earthquakes, or tornados (along the foothills), or forest fires (in the suburbs), or floods (we're up atop a large hill). We do have snow, but not the totally paralyzing kind like up in the northeast or along the great lakes. It can get cold, but not usually for prolonged periods, but if absolutely necessary I do have a bazillion linear feet of 6 foot wooden fence that would burn in our fireplace for a long time.

I do have water and food and adequate means of self defense stockpiled though. And a generator and a decent about of propane and gasoline.

Question: If you run out of water, can you drink a hot tub? That's 500+ gallons right there!

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#289298 - 06/10/18 12:00 AM Re: Why Are We Preparing? [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
gonewiththewind Offline
Veteran

Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1517
Depends on what you were doing in it before. Boil it well.

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