OK, so I am a fairly new GI (about 2 months have been prepping)...I live in an apartment, have read all the "apartment" postings but no cohesive entry regarding "everything" necessary. I wonder if anyone has any specific survival ideas about being in an apartment (heat and security, specifically, but in trying to "catch everything" I feel like I am "dropping the ball entirely"). Thanx

-- NSmith (nitnat3@aol.com), June 05, 1999

Answers

you might want to get some bricks to protect against small arms fire,drywall is no cover whatsoever.for real security,go to paladin- press's websight and order "homebuilt clamore mines"by ragnar benson,that oughta do ya!(LOL!)

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), June 05, 1999.

A: SECURITY

1) What floor are you on?

Higher than 3rd = likely problems with fire (what will all your neighbors be doing? Candles/lamps/cooking on open flame...). Also lots of steps to carry stuff up/down, you are very vulnerable alone on stairs no matter WHO you are, especially with arms full. Ground floor = too vulnerable to 'walk-in' company, especially if they 'knock' with their feet.

2) How's the neighborhood?

Pretty obvious but had to mention it. Details matter here... . Be honest.

3) How solid are your walls/doors?

Best clue- how well can you hear the neighbors? You can go through a plain sheetrock wall with bare hands without too much trouble. Just because it's a VISUAL barrier doesn't necessarily make it a PHYSICAL barrier. No sense putting a good lock on a paper door in a cardboard wall. Ditto windows. Look around. Think about it from the standpoint of trying to get in, not worrying about how much damage you do to the building. How long would it take you to do it? How long do you think it will take anyone ELSE to do it? If it's easy, do you really want to stay there, really? Even now, without even considering 2K?

4) Are you alone?

Those 24-hour watches get pretty tiring after while. Got a roomate? Trustworthy neighbor? Dog? There's more to look out for than intruders- fire, radio watch for important news, etc.

5) Are you armed?

If so, are you more dangerous to yourself and innocent bystanders than to any real threat? Spend a good deal of time working this one out if you haven't already- be honest. If you're really scared you shouldn't be carrying. You'll hurt someone who doesn't deserve it.

6) Got light?

Bright light, and lots of it, if you need it? Lamps and lanterns and flashlights and fuel and batteries and bulbs? Enough self discipline not to use them when you don't NEED them. (Hint- go to bed when it's dark, get up when it's sunrise. Life will change if it's bad- prepare to roll with the changes, not fight them.) Personal favorite for security is a Streamlight Scorpion- expensive to get (about $35) and use (2 lithium batteries @$5 ea.) but awesome amounts of light from a small flashlight, and not as costly as a SureFire.

7) Are you ready for... ?

Think about possibilities. Fire = fire extinguishers + water supply. Flooding (all sorts of stuff- what if the plumbing backs up??) Repairing damage from storms/people (some plywood, plastic sheeting, duct tape- there HAS to be duct tape, nails/hammer, screws/screwdriver, saw- manual, that is, etc.) Injuries/illness = first aid stuff/drugs/professional help if needed. Bugout- got a bag packed? Etc... .

B: HEAT

1) Where are you? Miami or Chicago? If in Chicago, get clothes, lots of warm clothes, know how to isolate small areas to keep them warm, build mattress shelters for sleeping etc, watch caps and warm sox, etc. Your life will change if the heat is gone- be prepared to roll with it.

2) What is your primary heat source now? Will it work with no power? What is your secondary heat source now? Your tertiary? Do you have ventilation/fuel/parts to keep everything going? Do you know how to operate and fuel each of them safely? How much fuel do you have? What will you do if it runs out? Can you cook on any or all of the above? Are you prepared for a fire? Got smoke and CO2 detectors, battery powered, with extra batteries?? Got an evacuation plan plus an alternate?

Think about possible problems, realistic ones, and solve what you can in advance. That's the best you can do.

-- Lee (lplapin@hotmail.com), June 05, 1999.

Do you have a friend or relative that lives in a rural setting? Would you be able to walk or bike there? Depending on where your apartment is located (city type, weather, neighborhood) you may find that slight storage in the apt. with a good bugout bag (filled with items to help you make the trip, and then have the bulk of preps at the rural location is the best answer.

This is not what you asked I know, but if Y2K becomes very serious as far as utility disruption goes, the cities simply will fail to work as far as shelter and heat are concerned.

-- R. Watt (rkwatt@hotmail.com), June 05, 1999.

Have you checked the Year 2000 Preparation Archive brought to you by our very own Brian? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), June 05, 1999.

Lee,

Very good point:

Best clue- how well can you hear the neighbors? You can go through a plain sheetrock wall with bare hands without too much trouble. Just because it's a VISUAL barrier doesn't necessarily make it a PHYSICAL barrier. No sense putting a good lock on a paper door in a cardboard wall. Ditto windows.

That is fact. If the outside walls are sheeted with partical/strand board you can do the same thing. If the outside wall of your house is made out of partical board, one blow with a 32 oz hammer, a 180 twist and pull, and you have a 16x12" hole. Tap twice on each side of a stud, wrap a chain around it, a yard out a hole you can walk though 3 wide. ( watch out for the waist high wireing ( Use 3/4 plywood on your widows, most people don't know you can walk through walls ; ) A 7.62x39 will blow thru a 10" pitch pine, and still sting, and sand bags inside your apt. is probably undoable. If your neighbors are DGI, try stocking enough water, rice and beans to keep them alive for a while, they probably will thank you for it. If Y2k IS a bump in the road, donate the rice and beans to your local church, and take the $3-500.00 buck Fed deduction.

Most people can't relocate, that's a given at this late date. If welfare, food stamps, disability, VA, or Social Security are late/ underpayed for more than a few weeks. look out! If power and phones are out at the same time? You tell me. Guns ain't gunna do it, neighbors will be, for the most part , Never Herd Of It's. It is easyer to feed them, than it is to shoot or starve with them.

You are your brothers keeper, whether you want him or not

-- CT (ct@no.yr), June 05, 1999.

THANK YOU, LEE !

That was the most valuable post I've ever seen for anyone living alone, in a city, or in an apartment. I'm 2 out of those 3, and would like to see more posts like yours!

Scat

-- Scat (sgcatique@webtv.net), June 05, 1999.