The Zombie Preparedness Thread

[WRXtranceformed]

I finally got a dedicated box for supplies. This stuff serves double duty as emergency preparedness and camping.

Stove, fuel, cook kit, mess kits, first aid kit, emergency blankets, heavy wound bandages, water filtration system, hand warmers, glow sticks, pop-up shelter, hatchet, shovel, toilet paper, paper towels, hand wipes, trash bags, bungee cords, rope, tie downs, USB charging pot, three styles of fire starting, tarp, ponchos, extra tent stakes, and sleep pads.

Love the kit man. I need to put together something more formal for the house with essentials other than my BOB. I also need to stock up on a bunch of MREs / long term storage food just to have around the house. Honestly now that we're in our new neighborhood further out into the sticks, it's really unlikely that we would leave this place in the event of an emergency unless we had no choice. There's nowhere really to bug out to other than farmland / woods that will probably be patrolled by cannibal rednecks. We do have woods / county land nearby where I could hunt if we had to and two ponds nearby for water to boil if it came to that. There are a few like-minded folks in our cul de sac that I would prefer to band together with should SHTF and a prep-box like this probably makes more sense for us / the community.

[Apoc]

I have let go of the idea of a BOB because of having a kid and because the most likely scenario is a major earthquake that will fell the only three bridges that connect to my neighborhood. I do have the ability to travel light, but I've spent my discretionary income on sheltering in place.

I have a few cases of MREs and water stock pilled in the basement. The nice thing about MREs is they ship in their own GTFO cases (grab and go) and most come with heaters so you're not wasting fuel if you want a hot meal.

[Jake]

I was about to post a reply about how I don't quite understand the logic behind much of this... and then I realized Inauguration Day is 10 days from now and I live 8 miles from DC and even closer to the Pentagon.

Hrmph.

[Apoc]

I do it for three reasons.

1) I use a lot of this for camping.
2) I was in my 20s when 9/11 happened and vividly remember having no plan... and therefore feeling helpless.
3) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one">http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/ ... ly-big-one</a><!-- m -->

The amount of time that elapses between subduction earthquakes is 243 years, Schulz writes. Based on the quake of 1700, the area is now 350 years in its cycle; or 72 years past its due date.

[Jake]

I do it for three reasons.

1) I use a lot of this for camping.
2) I was in my 20s when 9/11 happened and vividly remember having no plan... and therefore feeling helpless.
3) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one">http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/ ... ly-big-one</a><!-- m -->

The amount of time that elapses between subduction earthquakes is 243 years, Schulz writes. Based on the quake of 1700, the area is now 350 years in its cycle; or 72 years past its due date.

Good points. I camp approximately never, but the 9/11 point is a good one.

I should at least make sure I have some basics in both cars (jumper cables, water, blanket, USB charger, etc). And I've thought it could be a good idea to have a change of clothes in each as well.

[CaptainHenreh]

Good points. I camp approximately never, but the 9/11 point is a good one.

I should at least make sure I have some basics in both cars (jumper cables, water, blanket, USB charger, etc). And I've thought it could be a good idea to have a change of clothes in each as well.

Think of it less as a 'bug out bag' and more as a 'survive my trip home bag'. God forbid something does happen, what would you need to walk home? Walk to the nearest functioning hospital? What if it's winter? What if it's summer? What if it's raining?

More that kind of thing. It wouldn't take much of a hurricane to make all of NoVA gridlocked, and then how do you get to safety? You've gotta be able to take it all with you. All of the above is a great start (add some calorie-dense food as well, carbs and fats, make sure you can still eat it in sub-zero temps) but I'd also add a mylar blanket, basic first aid kit, rain gear, multitool, fixed blade knife, some other stuff.

I'm not really the best person to ask, but I do think it's prudent, especially in dense urban areas, to have a plan and tools to get to safety, basically wherever that means. Other folks are gonna have better advice about this, but I want to emphasize the importance.

[Apoc]

Oh, yeah, my fourth reason is Hurricane Katrina. Society broke down so quickly and people were left for days to fend for themselves.

My fifth reason is snowpocalypse, when people had to abandon their cars in the highway.

I'm adding a few bungee cords to each car's kit, so I'll post my car list/pics in the next few days.

[Jake]

First aid kit is a good one as is the rest of your list, Rex. I have a first aid kit in the truck as well as ratchet straps, a tow strap, and I think a Swiss Army knife. Easier to have all that shit sitting in there when there is an abundance of room. What I should do is just get two plastic totes and make them the same for each car. I've always focused on the truck for this kind of stuff because I work close to home, and don't use the BMW for long trips nearly as often, but your point stands.

[Apoc]

EASY BUTTON

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40 hand warmers: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2ifWzm2">http://amzn.to/2ifWzm2</a><!-- m -->
10 emergency blankets: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2ig3QSP">http://amzn.to/2ig3QSP</a><!-- m -->
hemorrhage control bandage: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2jjdTZ0">http://amzn.to/2jjdTZ0</a><!-- m -->

Don't buy too few. Having an emergency blanket on my person has saved me from being miserably cold more than once - most recently during a freak cold/rain storm at the USGP in Austin.

[Jewels]

Thanks guys for bringing this back up. I need to get on top of this since now I have to rely on myself to get to safety if need be. And also, maybe with a 3 year old. Don't have a huge budget but will start adding things ASAP as I can afford. I should have an emergency blanket always anyway especially with a kiddo tagging along.

[CaptainHenreh]

Well don't forget that the next tax free weekend (august, unfortunately) you can get any of this shit tax free:

Sales Price of $60 or less
The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the sales and
use tax during the combined sales tax holiday, provided that the items have a sales
price of $60 or less per item.
 Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and
reusable ice
 Batteries (excluding automobile or boat
batteries), including
o AAA cell
o AA cell
o C cell
o D cell
o 6 volt
o 9 volt
o Cell phone batteries
 Any portable, battery-operated or selfpowered
light sources including
o Flashlights
o Lanterns
o Glow sticks
 Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic
drop cloths, and other flexible
waterproof sheeting
 Bungee cords, rope, and paracords
 Ground anchor systems or tie down
kits
 Ratchet straps
 Duct tape
 Carbon monoxide detectors
 Smoke detectors
 Fire extinguishers
 Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers
 Water storage containers
 Nonelectric food storage coolers
 Bottled water
 Nonreusable water packets
 Manual can openers
 Portable, battery-operated or selfpowered
radios (including self-powered
radios with electrical power capability)
 Two-way radios
 Weather band radios and NOAA
weather radios
Storm shutter devices
 Cell phone chargers
 First Aid Kits

A good source of lighting (preferably powered by CR123 "10 year" batteries) simply CANNOT be understated as a requirement, not an option for this kind of thing. You won't be able to buy a surefire for 60 bucks but (well maybe you can?) but I love the CR123 battery for powering flashlights.

[CaptainHenreh]

EASY BUTTON

first aid kit: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2ijHqmK">http://amzn.to/2ijHqmK</a><!-- m -->
40 hand warmers: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2ifWzm2">http://amzn.to/2ifWzm2</a><!-- m -->
10 emergency blankets: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2ig3QSP">http://amzn.to/2ig3QSP</a><!-- m -->
hemorrhage control bandage: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2jjdTZ0">http://amzn.to/2jjdTZ0</a><!-- m -->

Don't buy too few. Having an emergency blanket on my person has saved me from being miserably cold more than once - most recently during a freak cold/rain storm at the USGP in Austin.

This. Also, some people will suggest, maybe foolishly, that tampons or other feminine products can do just as well as a hemorrhage control bandage. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Those kinds of products are designed to absorb fluids, NOT encourage clotting, think about it for a minute and you'll figure out why. Use the correct tool for the job, buy once cry once (you only get to die once too, i guess).

[Ryan T]

A good source of lighting (preferably powered by CR123 "10 year" batteries) simply CANNOT be understated as a requirement, not an option for this kind of thing. You won't be able to buy a surefire for 60 bucks but (well maybe you can?) but I love the CR123 battery for powering flashlights.

We use these at work and they are awesome flashlights. Super bright but also have a low light setting and a strobe setting. Impact and water resistant. Mine's held up really well. The break away lanyard that comes with it is junk though.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/5-11-53032-TMT-Flashlight-BLACK/dp/B00FJYROZ6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1484151614&sr=8-3&keywords=5.11+tmt+2">https://www.amazon.com/5-11-53032-TMT-F ... 5.11+tmt+2</a><!-- m -->

[Apoc]

Cheap lighting for your trunk: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://amzn.to/2iGlUqa">http://amzn.to/2iGlUqa</a><!-- m -->

[ScottyB]

this thread, i like it.

Hurricane Katrina

i was living in Atlanta at the time. you wanna talk about people devolving into animals? when the gas prices spiked...holy balls. and all we got was some rain! it doesn't take much for the whole castle we call "1st world" to crumble.

if i could add a little bit about a weather radio - we get some mean storms down here. we're not tornado-prone, but definitely high winds and severe flooding. this little guy works great:


American Red Cross FRX3 Hand Crank NOAA AM/FM Weather Alert Radio
battery, solar, or hand crank power, good reception, mini LED flashlight, the alert function works too good sometimes, and great form factor. you can even charge a mobile device off of it...probably not "dead to full" charge levels, but enough to get you some juice to make a call or get a signal if your power is borked for a lengthy time

[Jewels]

So guys.... I need to purchase a tent. It doesn't have to be really big, since it'll only be the little one and I. But said little one has asked that we have a sleep over (in a tent outside!). Which is great, because I do like to camp but haven't done it as an adult really ever, so since its just me and her, I figured we'd mostly be set up at campgrounds or proper campsites (or in my back yard!) Now I'm on a really, really, really modest budget, but want quality, so will pay for a good tent. Any really good recommendations? We really are talking 1-2 day excursions at most.

[Goodspeed]

REI's own brand Camp Dome tents are pretty good and modestly priced. The 2 person is 100 bucks I think. Since it doesn't sound like you'd be too worried about how heavy it'd be to lug around you might find some heavier ones at a lower pricepoint. There's also the "rule" that you should buy a tent "one or two people larger" than your group for comfort, but w/e, tiny kid. Or, hammocks and rain fly's could be an option?

[Apoc]

You're gonna want a 3-4 person tent and I highly recommend double walled. What is a really, really, really modest budget? Tents are firmly in the buy once, cry once camp for me. That said, you might want to rent one from REI to make sure your kid actually means it before investing.

[Jewels]

You're gonna want a 3-4 person tent and I highly recommend double walled. What is a really, really, really modest budget? Tents are firmly in the buy once, cry once camp for me. That said, you might want to rent one from REI to make sure your kid actually means it before investing.

I'm very much a buy once, cry once kinda person. What I mean with modest budget is tell me about what I'm gonna spend so I can start saving, cause I won't cheap out, but if I don't get a close to accurate cost, I'll buy cheaper on accident and then spend my time being grumpy about it.

[Apoc]

I spent two months shopping for tents last summer and I would figure $400, tax included. There are plenty of $100 tents and you can probably find something more expensive on sale, but I would read a ton of reviews before buying something. There is nothing worse than an ineffective tent in a surprise rain shower. Don't be afraid to google and buy from a random camping website. I bought a $500 tent for $330 plus a 10% off coupon for joining their mailing list. Oh, and treat your seams with waterproofer.