I'm preparing for the nuclear radiation coming here to the US from Japan.
My father built our underground fallout shelter in the 1950s, but never equipped it with supplies. In the last week I have furnished it with canned food, (incl pet food), cookware, bottled water, flashlights, battery radio, spare batteries, spare car battery for ventilation system, candles, matches + lighters, first aid kit with common OTC meds, Potassium Iodide tablets, prescription meds, hand tools and knife, table and chairs, blankets - cots - & sleeping bags, portable camping toilet and toilet paper. Calendar, wrist watch, Pens, pencils, paper, crayons and a few toys for the kids, Plus spare clothing, including heavy winter clothing if nuclear winter occurs. I have also run electrical lines to it for if the power is working, and taken in a tv set and laptop computer, along with putting an antenna on top and running in a phone line for both landline phone and dialup internet access. I hope to pipe in an actual water line from our well by the end of the weekend, if the electric power is working, we will have fresh water.
What other supplies are needed? Am I missing anything?
There is something very important missing from all of those who fear that radiation from the damaged nuclear reactors in Japan is coming to get them. Are you ready? The missing item is . It is quite unfortunate that at this late date it will be impossible for any of you deranged morons to acquire any because a brain is something that has to be nurtured, fed and exercised for it to become something useful rather than a big gob of goo to fill your skull. It may be too late for you but perhaps not too late for your young kids if you have any. Get them out of government schools and make the financial sacrifices to put them into a private school where they may have a better chance of graduating with a working brain. I'm so sorry for your loss. ^_^
The fact that it won't do you any good if the radiation kills everyone else. There will be no power for your well, no power for anything, no way to live above ground for 50 more years.
Of course a "fall out shelter" is not a single-purpose device. It can also be used to survive in a natural disaster such as tornadoes or hurricanes. It can be a sanctuary in times of civil unrest. It can also be a game room in normal times.
That said, bear these other uses in mind. For example, an opening-outward door will resist battering. If your outside door must open inward, then mount it to the side of the stairwell so the do-bads can't use a long timber as a battering ram.
Of course in times of devastation, caused either by man or nature, the aftermath may be worse than the precipitating event. You must stockpile arms and ammunition. A lot of ammunition. An absolute minimum of 1,000 rounds for each weapon, and at least one weapon for each family member (including kids). With sufficient ammunition, all other items are obtainable.
One interesting trick is to take a 6" PVC pipe, stuff it with non-perishable food, and bury it. Do this about three times. The purpose is not necessarily to provide food for you, it is to appease the armed scavengers who may capture you or a loved one, demanding food. You can point them to one of your "stashes" and they will probably release you.
There are uncountably many web-sites chock-a-block full of Armageddon tips. It can be an interesting, and possibly practical, hobby to pursue.
Which will not open if covered by explosion debris, avalanche, or landslide.
Good point. Perhaps a swinging door.
Or coffee!! Read the book, Alas, Babylon, by Pat Frank. Personally, I'd build an adjoining bunker and fill it with Wild Turkey.
What!? And not waste 'em with a withering fusillade from your M-eleventy-16 tactical sub-para-machine pistol slash grenade launcher with fluted/supressed bull barrel and trijcon ascom sights and octagonal pickatinney laser rail system? And you call youself a survivor! What ya' gonna do with that 1000 rnds of ammo? Put 'em in your purse and hit 'em over the head?
Watch the TV movie, The Day After. It'll make you rethink any desire to survive a post-apocalyptic world. None of those fun-filled dirt-n'-sticks movies ol' Jew baiter Gibson made looks so exciting. As a scarred for life dive-under-your-desks child of the horrifying
50s, TDA was the one terrifying-possibility movie that still chills me to the bone, one of the few movies I've never watched twice.
While you are putting things away for hard times, remember to assemble the best first aid kit you can. Here is a list of things to consider for a comprehensive first aid kit.
In alpha order.
ALCOHOL PADS ANTIBIOTIC CREAM ANTISEPTIC TOWELETTE ANTI-ITCH ASPIRIN BABY TOOTH MEDICINE BAKING SODA BAND-AIDS-'Advanced Healing pad BAND-AIDS-Finger Size BAND-AIDS-Knee Size BAND-AIDS-'Regular" BAND-AIDS-'Spot" BANDAGE: Elastic 2" BANDAGE: Elastic 3" BEE STING EASE BELT BENADRIL CREAM (Hydrocortisone) BUTTTERFLY BANDAIDS CAN OPENER COLD PACK -Instant CLEAN DIAPER CLOTH CLEAN MATERIAL COLD PACK -'Snap' COLD PACK - For Burns (Cold Wrap) COTTON BALLS COTTON SWABS COUGH DROPS EAR Syringe (1) GAUZE BANDAGE: 2" FLASH LIGHT GAUZE BANDAGE: 3" GUAZE PADS: Non Stick - 1.5x2" GAUZE PADS: 2x2 GAUZE PADS: 3x3 GAUZE PADS: Surgical 5x9" GROUND BASIL LEAVES GROUND GINGER GROUND NUTMETG HEAT WRAP - Instant HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ICHTHAMMOL (Black Save) INSTANT HEAT PAD LIGHT STICK MASK: Respirator/Face MATCHES MEDICINE DISPENSER MIRROR (small) MOTRIN NAIL CLIPPERS NEELDE/THREAD NO MORE OUCHIES ORAL PAIN RELIEF PADS:(4) Small PADS:(4) Medium PADS:(4) Large PAIN RELIEF MED.(Adult Ibuprofen PAPER TOWELS PEN FLASH LIGHT PEN/PAD of PAPER/PENCIL PEPPERMINT PETROLEUM JELLY PIERCED EAR SOLUTION PLASTIC GLOVES PLASTIC RECLOSEABLE BAGS: Sm PLASTIC RECLOSEABLE BAGS: Md PLASTIC RECLOSEABLE BAGS: Lg POISON IVY CREAM TAPE: Water Proof -1/2 " (6) Tape: Water Proof -1" (6) SAFETY PINS SCISSORS SCREWDRIVER-Small SICK BAG SNAP LIGHT STICK SORE THROAT POPS SPLINT STICKS: Small (Popsicle) SPLINT STICKS: Large (Popsicle) SPLINT STICKS: Blue Metal-Lg (2) SPLINT STICKS: Blue Metal -Sm (1) SPLINTS:(Old Shin Guard) SUNSCREEN: 30 spf THERMAL RUB THERMOMETER STRIP TOOTHBRUSHES & TOOTHPASTE TRASH BAGS TWEEZERS VISINE A.C. EYEDROPS WARMERS: Hand WARMERS: Toe WATER WET WIPES YARN/STRING
Some of the things I store are bags of rice and beans. I only store pinto beans because they are my favorite bean but I also want to get some black beans and red beans too.
Here is how to store rice and beans for long term.
First, get some food grade five gallon buckets. You can buy them at some stores like Home Depot but make sure they are food grade. A good way to get buckets cheaper is to check with a local store with a bakery and see if they will sell you some.
When you buy bags of beans or rice,or any grain, there's a chance they might have some small bugs or insects in them. So, you need to kill these so they don't destroy your product. When you first buy them put them in the freezer for about 72 hours. That will kill any live bugs. Then defrost for another 48-72 hours to let any eggs hatch and then freeze them again before the new bugs can lay anymore eggs.
Now you can store them in mylar bags in tightly sealed buckets with a couple of oxygen absorbers and they should last for years.
Preparing to increase your home food storage is a critical part of preparedness. Read this from the American Trucking Associations: When Trucks Stop America Stops
Significant shortages will occur in as little as three days, especially for perishable items following a national emergency and a ban on truck traffic. Minor shortages will occur within one to two days. At convenience stores and other small retailers with less inventory, shortages will occur much sooner.
Federal & Emergency agency recommendations are for a minimum of two (2) weeks. Read more HERE. Consider the possible response time of federal response agencies, the type of emergency situation that you are preparing for, your financial situation. Then consider preparing for a minimum of two (2) weeks and increasing your preparations as you are financially able.
The rule of thumb for food stocks is =93Stock what you Eat. Eat what you Stock.=94 This will ensure that you are rotating foods that have a shorter shelf life than other foods in your storage. It will also help you maintain some semblence of =91normal=92 in a stressful situation. From Food-Getting Started (GetPandemicReady.org ):
How can I ever do this? Start NOW, but don=92t defeat yourself. Break the task of stockpiling down into stages. Getting your pantry stocked for two weeks is a good initial goal. Simply write down what you eat over a two-week period. Then add a few extra items on each shopping trip. Look for specials and bulk purchases. Remember to add lunches for children who are normally at school,as well as infants and toddlers.
Once you=92ve reached this goal, go for four weeks of food, then eight, and then twelve. In a few months, you will have a full pantry full of you kind of food.
Remember, the idea is NOT to always have gourmet meals, but to feed your family and keep them sustained as long as you possibly can, using the financial resources that you have available to you during the shopping you will be starting, now. So, where to start?
FIRST, to jump start your Emergency Food Pantry:
=95 Consider =91Stretching Staples=92 for your first purchase in your basic emergency stockpile for your pantry. Include: rice, beans, noodles and canned soups. When you add these 'stretching staples' together (Rice & Beans, Soup & Noodles) or add them to other food prep items you will get through a longer period of time. Add noodle or rice to your cans of meat.
Then: =95 Canned goods store for a long, long time! Manufacture dates stamped on cans are a guide. They are not always set in stone for expiration. =95 Buy a Little at a Time. If you are in a financial bind, purchasing one or two of something each time you shop will help you faster than you think. It builds up quick.
=95 USE Store COUPONS! Take advantage of 10/$10 deals (just get 1 or 2, if the sale allows). Get the 'BOGO'('Buy One-Get One') specials. Look for specials & bulk dry goods.
=95 consider foods with a long shelf life (cooking time remains a consideration).
=95 Experiment with meals that can be made from pantry items.
=95 Buy canned food in sizes that make the most sense. Consider how much you will use at once. Does the leftover product have to be refrigerated? Will food go to waste if the power=92s off?
=95(For Non-Food Items)Buy extra of ordinary items you use from week to week, so that you are not caught short - i.e., paper products, feminine hygiene products, baby needs, shaving cream, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
A great source of basic water information can be found on the GetPandemicReady website. Although the info was written for pandemic preparation ... it's good for any disaster preparation!(disclosure: I am a co-founder of the GPR site).
FIRST things FIRST! Consider beginning with an easy start: Water.
Store at LEAST 1 gallon (preferably 3 gallons) per person per day. One gallon would be for consumption the rest for cooking and sanitation). NOTE: You could die after THREE (3) days without water! Don=92t forget to include water for your pets! Water storage can be completed in a =91three-tier=92 system:
=95 Store bought water you purchase and have on hand, ahead of time =95 Clean, empty containers that you store and fill up when you have advance warning of an emergency situation. =95 The ability to filter and purify water that you may need to collect after the first two water sources are used up. Coffee filters (to filter) and bleach (to purify) are the simplest methods.
FIRST thing you can do:
=95 Start to collect empty beverage containers to store water! Any plastic or glass container that previously held food or beverages such as 2-liter soda bottles or water, juice, punch or milk jugs, also may be used.
:caution: IF you save milk jugs ONLY use those to store 'grey' water! The bacteria in milk can leach into the milk jug plastic and contaminate future water stored in that same container.(So, use this water only for cleaning or flushing purposes! NOTE: It is NOT recommended that your fill the milk jugs ahead of time for long-term storage. They tend to pop pin-hole sized leaks :(. Keep the milk jugs and fill them if you see an emergency situation approaching. Then you can use this water quickly, and you will be emptying the container BEFORE they pop a leak! ;)).
=95 To clean used jugs or bottles for future water storage, put a few drops of bleach in the containers and fill with water. Let your jug/ bottle soak for at least 20 min. Empty. Put cap back on and store till you are ready to fill.
=95 Storage of jugs or bottles: Store your (light-weight) empty containers in bags, boxes, closets, attics -- where ever you have room till you need them. If you have the room, you may prefer to store some of the jugs/bottles filled with water (Remember: don't do this with the 'milk jugs'!). The filled ones will be heavy. Make sure you choose a sturdy location. DO NOT store your containers directly on concrete floors. The chemicals from the concrete can leach through the plastic into your water! Place wood, old piece of carpeting, old towels, etc. on the concrete first.
You'll feel like an instant prepper with this FREE start! For more water information go here: Water Storage: General Information
A great source of basic water information can be found on the GetPandemicReady website. Although the info was written for pandemic preparation ... it's good for any disaster preparation!(disclosure: I am a co-founder of the GPR site). Here are the three pages that you will find helpful in understanding your water preparation needs:
Water: Getting Started Water-Finding and Filtering Water-Emergency Purification
Starting your WATER preparations is an EASY-FREE start in getting your household prepared! There may be some expense in considering a way to filter & purify your water, if you use up your stored water. There are cheap options and there are more expensive options. That's something that you should read a bit more about and then decide on, as you get more involved in your home preparation activities.
So ... start saving those containers and you're on your way to 'prepping' for an emergency!
snipped-for-privacy@aol-dotcom.com wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:
how about some solar panels,a battery charging system and DC-AC inverter. Lot's of DVD movies and a player.(I suggest "A Boy and his Dog";1975,Don Johnson) a water filtration and purification system.
Firearms and ammo,to help you KEEP your lives,shelter and supplies; a rifle for long range(and hunting),handguns for close range,indoors.
What do you plan to use for cooking/heating energy? (besides electricity) propane,gasoline,sterno,wood,Coleman fuel are some options. You could put in a nice big propane tank,and also use it for a gas stove in your house,and a barbecue grill.
did you see the reports about a little radiation being GOOD(healthy) for you? Seriously.
besides,your area may already have a high background radiation level.
If you are stocking it for anti-radiation protection you are wasting your time...unless it is the size of a warehouse. You cannot fit enough food (especiatlly canned goods that take up lots of space) in the usual shelter to provide for more than about a week. That won't do you much good.
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