Which prep items to finish are most important?

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Those of us who GId late and have limited resources with which to complete their preps have some tough choices to make. If you lived in a moderately cold climate in winter, in a condo, and had to choose between the following list to complete, which would you say are the most imperative? (This is a serious question needing resolution soon in my planning.)

water filter potty, hydrated lime, lye, more ammonia more D and 9V batteries either batteries for watches or wind-up watch printer paper and ink cartridges drain snake, plunger, RV antifreeze staple gun/staples washboard plywood or blackout lining for windows barbed wire for balcony trip wire more ammo kerosene, Stabil, Alcohol, more wicks reflector panels for heater asbestos panel for under heater blood pressure monitor exam and extra eyeglasses dental kit surgical suture set bandages butterfly bandaids, roller gauze, sling kaopectate, ipecac, charcoal melatonin, zinc, echinacea, garlic, cayenne, ginger, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, clove oil aloe vera gel, burn free ointment vet antibiotics and ointment potassium iodate, ferrum phosphate salt, sambucol 2 sets thermal underwear thermal socks thermal gloves 3 sweat suit bottoms (got tops on sale) really warm coat warm waterproof boots rain poncho nomex hood wool blanket (bugout) non-hybrid seeds powdered eggs, cheese, butter more dry beans mesh bags for hanging veggies last-minute produce & perishables dry cat food

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 10, 1999

Answers

Sorry...I did this nicely as a list, but it turned out this way! I'm new to this internet business. However, it is all at least by category. How on earth can I get it to be in a nice list?

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 10, 1999.

Elaine, Skip everything in the list until you have assured yourself of food and water, a way to cook it, heat, warm clothing, essential medicine, and last but not least ammo. God Bless, Powder

-- Powder (powder@keg.com), November 10, 1999.

okok, help me. i think i may have missed something. why the blackout lining??? i am afraid people would think my house was unoccupied and might try to break in or vandalize? what's the current set of theories on this?

also, did you say "sambuca" on your list? what an excellent idea. i forgot that myself.

-- tt (cuddluppy@yahoo.com), November 10, 1999.


I am now a proponent of self-reliance. Y2K has taught me what dependency can lead to.

In that spirit, I look more at what items or systems will give me greater results in a CONTINUING plan of self-sufficiency.

For example, if gardening is an option, whether simple container gardening, indoor or greenhouse gardening, or extensive food production oudoors -- increasing the ability to produce my own food for my family is now a priority.

If you can't do that, then, at the very least, plan on sprouting simple-to-store seeds for high nutrition and greens when there may be none.

Consider building or buying a solar cooker for a free cooking source (free once you've purchased it, that is!)

Begin to think less about living from SUPPLIES. Think more about initiating plans for increasing your own capabilities to sustain your family.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), November 10, 1999.


This look like your list?

water filter
potty
hydrated lime
lye
more ammonia
more D and 9V batteries
either batteries for watches or wind-up watch
printer paper and ink cartridges
drain snake
plunger
RV antifreeze
staple gun/staples
washboard
plywood or blackout lining for windows
barbed wire for balcony
trip wire
more ammo
kerosene
Stabil
Alcohol
more wicks
reflector panels for heater
asbestos panel for under heater
blood pressure monitor exam and
extra eyeglasses
dental kit surgical
suture set bandages
butterfly bandaids
roller gauze
sling kaopectate
ipecac
charcoal
melatonin
zinc
echinacea
garlic
cayenne
ginger
tea tree oil
peppermint oil
olive leaf extract
grapefruit seed extract
clove oil aloe vera gel
burn free ointment
vet antibiotics and ointment
potassium iodate
ferrum phosphate salt
sambucol 2
sets thermal underwear thermal socks thermal gloves 3 sweat suit bottoms (got tops on sale) really warm coat warm
waterproof boots
rain poncho
nomex hood
wool blanket (bugout)
non-hybrid seeds powdered eggs
cheese
butter
more dry beans
mesh bags for hanging veggies
last-minuteproduce & perishables dry cat food


-- de (delewis@XOUTinetone.net), November 10, 1999.


I tried to prioritize these: Priority 1 means get them now, priority 2 by Decmeber 1, and Priority 3 by December 15. Those not listed are an "oh, well." Just my opinion

Priority 1 -- Immediate
water filter
hydrated lime
RV antifreeze
washboard
kerosene
Stabil
Alcohol
non-hybrid seeds
powdered eggs
cheese
butter
more dry beans


Priority 2 -- By December 1
more ammonia
more D and 9V batteries
either batteries for watches or wind-up watch
more wicks
reflector panels for heater
asbestos panel for under heater
extra eyeglasses
2 sets thermal underwear thermal socks thermal gloves
3 sweat suit bottoms (got tops on sale)
really warm coat warm
waterproof boots
rain poncho
wool blanket (bugout)


Priority 3 --
staple gun/staples
plywood or blackout lining for windows
dental kit
surgical
suture set bandages
butterfly bandaids
roller gauze
sling
kaopectate
ipecac
zinc
echinacea
astralagus
garlic
cayenne
ginger
tea tree oil
peppermint oil
olive leaf extract
grapefruit seed extract
clove oil aloe vera gel
burn free ointment
vet antibiotics and ointment
potassium iodate
blood pressure monitor exam and
last-minuteproduce & perishables dry cat food


-- de (delewis@XOUTinetone.net), November 10, 1999.


Elaine,

I agree with Powder.

Think of getting cheap $5.00 glasses for a spare at Wal-Mart.

Vitamin B-complex for stress or a good multi-vit with B-complex.

Pet food--go to thread below,preparing for other peoples pets,for a great deal that Old Git posted.

aloe vera PLANT works the best for burns.

Double click ENTER for proper spacing.Hope this helps.When it gets over wellming(sp?)make a list of a few things to get done each day,it's a sense of accomplishment to finish the list for that day.Today I bought cat food (PetMart.com,boy was that easy), made appointments with the vet for shots for my cats and dehydrating veggies.Remember a day at a time.I know how hard it is to have to do everything by yourself.The song "I Am Women" just came to mind,for me it's uplifting and self empowering.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), November 10, 1999.


I agree with Powder. I have long-term preps, but I'm making a short- term (immediate-emergency-walk-out-the-door) type prep also (which includes a "living off the greenery in the area" type manual).

I figure for Y2K we can prepare, but if there is some sort of panic or mischief before then, I need to give myself and family at least 3 days to get to our long-term preps. While it is only a few hours away, my family in FL tried to get out of town during Hurricane Floyd and a 15 minute drive to get off the island took 2 hours. A 2-3 hour drive took 9-11 hours, etc. Freeway traffic was standstill; no potties; no gas; no hotels; no food; no water, etc. What would you want in your car if you were stranded?

I've heard Shelter, Water, Food, and Fire are basic to survival.

Good luck. M

-- Meandi (meandi@gotmilk.com), November 10, 1999.


Goofed--should have read --PetsMart.com

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), November 10, 1999.

sleeping bag (s), warm, large

-- clayton (ratchetass@hotmail.com), November 10, 1999.


SELF DEFENSE ITEMS. (You choose, but GET THEM!)

-- Dennis (djolson@cherco.net), November 10, 1999.

1. Salt. Iodized. Also, canning salt and so-called low sodium or "lite" salt. That last one contains potassium chloride which makes it useful for electrolyte depletion. "The Survival Chemist" recommends ten pounds per family member per year.

2. Extra dental floss and toothbrushes. Dental floss is a versatile material. Excellent cordage. Scrupulous dental hygiene is going to become very important.

3. Sugar and honey. Along with salt, these are important for food preservation.

4. Extra canning lids. If you're going to be sure of getting a good seal, you can only use one once.

5. Anti-bacterial soap.

-- Not Whistlin' Dixie (not_whistlin_dixie@yahoo.com), November 10, 1999.


Clothing repair & maintenance items: mink oil for leather boots and shoes, rubber goop for boot sole repair, needles and pins.

Weapon maintenance items: Hoppe's #9, break-free, patches, silicon rags.

-- Not Whistlin' Dixie (not_whistlin_dixie@yahoo.com), November 10, 1999.


Elaine - my shortlist given your list and $$$ limitations would be:

Water filter Use plastic bags for potty Kero and extra wicks Thermal wear & sleeping bags (thrift store for sleeping bags) SEEDS Multivitamin & Olive leaf extract for immune system

Just my opinion FWIW

-- Sammie (sammiex0@hotmail.com), November 10, 1999.


Hi Elaine -- here are my thoughts FWIW.

water filter

potty

batteries

washboard

plywood

barbed wire

eye exam and glasses (got to do that myself!)

BP monitor

butterfly band-aids

kaopectate

echinacea

garlic

tea tree oil

peppermint oil

clove oil

aloe vera

vet antibiotics and ointment

potassium iodate

thermal stuff

sweatpants

seeds

produce

cat food

more beans!

Are you in the DC area? I can't remember. We are.

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), November 10, 1999.



So far these have been helpful replies. dd, thanks for fixing my list so it's readable! I wish I could get those items by those dates that you recommend, but it is a matter of choosing about 1/3-1/4 of them with my limitations.

tt, to answer your query about the blackout lining, I read about that on this forum. It is so that one's good lantern light doesn't show outside, so that one doesn't become a mark for looters, who figure if you have prep'd good light, you have other things they want. It doesn't show from outside if you do what I figured to do: put it inside my mini-blinds, through which light otherwise shows greatly. In this neighborhood, it is very much a matter of self defense by deterrent, hopefully.

Some of the other suggested items I already have, and that is why I did not list them. I have to make choices from this list of remaining important items. So if there is anyone else who still would like to offer suggestions, I would still appreciate hearing them.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 10, 1999.


Hi Elaine,

Your list is so like mine, and I had to cut mine to essentials too. I'm a List junkie. So if I cut yours (with the exception of "more"'s, which is a matter of judgement), it would be:

Water filter; large boxes of kitchen trash bags instead of the potty (or a $5.00 Wal Mart toilet seat for a 5 gallon bucket if you have a spare); hydrated lime; cheap windup watch; plunger; blackout lining for windows (I'm using the largest black leaf/trash bags because duct tape will hold them in place well and I found light will get thru any fabric); barbed wire for balcony; kerosene; bricks or similar material if it can be obtained free instead of the cost of the asbestos panel; extra eyeglasses (me too, fast!); all meds you don't have and the few herbs & homeopathics you believe in the most (the same antibiotic ointment can be used for yourself and cats); good warm coat; waterproof boots; rain poncho (the $2. one in Wal Mart); thermals & sweats in sizes that will layer the best; wool anything; non-hybrid seeds; canned instead of dry beans for minimal cooking; and of course all the cat food you can possibly manage, as I doubt that will be anywhere on anyone's priority list to make available for a very long time. My cats are prepped better than I am but they keep eating their preps. So I get more.

I didn't count, but this seems like about 1/4 or so to me. There is still so much, isn't there? I thought I'd be down to chocolate and wine by this time, but - tell you a secret - I'm not going to get to chocolate and wine at all. I have 3 more paydays.

Good luck, dear lady.

-- Scat (sgcatique@webtv.net), November 10, 1999.


Thank you, one and all, for these good suggestions. Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees, and it helps to have others "look" for us. Especially when we are burned out from the intensity of the rush to prep. I know we all are feeling that way about now from many posts I've read. Won't it be a relief when we are at least finished with preps? (Not that one could ever really be "finished" but you know what I mean!)

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 11, 1999.

Hi, Libby! Yes, I'm in NoVA, and wishing I were far, far, far away from DC, as I'm sure you are too! E-mail me if you can catch a breath.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), November 11, 1999.

Elaine -

I agree with Powder - take care of the water, food, fire/heat, etc. I noticed one answer started with salt - be sure to include that. Also some form of oil - veg, olive, whatever. Some form of fat is a necessity. (A friend of mine from Norway has said that during WWII when the Germans were taking everything for themselves, he would have killed for a couple of tablespoons of cod liver oil.)

Most of us won't end up getting everything we wanted to have before the end of the year, but if we do things in the order of priority (to the extent that's possible) we'll end up with the most important.

Don't forget prayer - God's blessing on your preparations can increase your stamina, focus, understanding, and resources.

Be of good cheer!

-- peg (peg@futureandahope.com), November 11, 1999.


Trashbags for blackout curtains! What a great idea! I haven't found those curtains anywhere I've looked! Time is so short. Now I really know what "So much to do, so little time" means. I do hope that it's not all that bad, but if it is, I really hope we haven't prepped for nothing by someone taking what we've got. Who was it that said, "The MOST civilized human being is only a few meals away from being the MOST primitive barbarian"? Scary times are at our door, I'm afraid. I agree that we should be concentrating on survival skills and preps that don't need to be replenished IN CASE there is no way to replenish. Sprouts are an excellent idea. Don't wait til the last minute to use your prep skills.

-- chris (waiting@pray.ing), November 13, 1999.

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