That’s a trick question because, realistically and literally, there is always one more thing that a person can do to increase their resilience. You’re never really “done”…you’re simply at a more prepared stage than you were previously. Admittedly, there is a point where you’re just gilding the lilly but I don’t think I’m quite there yet.
But, after having been doing this for a couple decades what could possibly be left to accomplish? Well, the absolute biggest is the crowning jewel of any survivalist’s career – the BOL. That sweet little innocent-looking cabin in the middle of nowhere that is more heavily fortified, stocked, and hardened than Cheyenne Mountain. That one is going to take some serious planning and a metric buttload of cash.
Other than that rather expensive to-do list item, I’m fairly well set on most things. I mean, if there’s anything I think I really truly need at this point I can just buy it. I still need to get a nice radio setup for keeping tabs on the world, and it would be nice to have a larger stash of precious metals, but other than that I think I’m pretty set on things. I could always upgrade and increase the amounts of some things…food, ammo, cash, etc., but they’re at levels right now that I’m comfortable with and I’d rather funnel my resources into getting that nice chunk of Middle O’ Nowhere.
No one is every ‘fully prepared’, in my opinion. However, I’m satisfied enough with what I have now that, while I recognize there’s always room to add more depth to the stockpiles, I have no problem focusing resources into other projects.
It hasn’t always been this way, though. I remember when every $25 can of freeze drieds, and every $150 SKS, was a struggle to justify to my limited budget. But, I’ve hit the point in my life where I can drop a few hundred bucks here and there every so often for things that I want. Didn’t always be like that, though…..there were some pretty tight times back there.
Overall, though…I have absolutely no regrets about spending what I’ve spent over the years. I have literally thousands of dollars of freeze drieds and if I never wind up needing them I will still consider it money well spent. Like insurance, it gives me peace of mind and reduces risk. That has a value.
I also have no regrets because I see where the social zeitgeist is going and I’m pleased to say that I can sit back and watch everyone else scramble for freeze drieds, gas cans, ammo, and other gear. Those decades of picking up gear here and there have paid off in that I don’t have to deal with the scarcity and pricing issues that the Johnny-come-latelies have to face.
If you’ve been a survivalist for more than a few years, I trust that you are in a similar position. And if you’re new to the scene..well…don’t be discouraged.
looks like water is going to be an issue, especially here in the desert SW. Even if I covered the property in 55g drums and stock tanks, eventually it will all be dry. That BOL is starting to look better all the time, and along with it a steady supply of water.
Not just in the west,Flint,Mi and several other localties have water system problems with lack or contamination (Camp Lejeune, Crestwood etc). 3 minutes,3hours,3days,3 weeks got gas masks(ready?),shelter(cold rain can kill in 3 hours),you know the rest.
Ditto
There is always something. Physical fitness, practicing your survival skills, even going out to practice your situational awareness.
Situational awareness… that right there. Where am I in this moment? Where is society? Where is the world right now.
I feel pretty good about where I’m at, but can’t really say I feel anything other than dread about the direction of our country. From my point of view we’ve got the inmates running the asylum. Do what you can.
As far as physical fitness goes, here’s a list of useful benchmarks.
https://www.t-nation.com/training/10-things-every-lifter-should-be-able-to-do
The author was heavily influenced by a story of a naval ship that rescued islanders from a volcano blast. The survivors were the ones who were able to do certain physical things, like make leaps, hang for a certain period of time, run a distance, and swim. If interested, I’ll try to dig up the story.
Interesting list for sure! #5 caught me off gaurd, not sure I can stand up without going to a knee first.
If I may suggest, look around for a local ham group. You’ll get training, good advice, and more experienced hams to ease your way into the process.
Don’t wait – it takes time and practice to become proficient. They likely will have old magazines and older manuals that will help you, free or for almost nothing.
Knowledge is more important than equipment.
I’m KM4GSF, Linda. Feel free to send me a message at my email, if you’d like to talk.
2nd passport? Panamanian? Ecuadoran? It’s worse than bugging out, but it could be the last, best option.
Thinking of fleeing to Central or South America?
Better make it Chile, Argentina or Urugay.
Even there you will always be the Yankee Gringo.
Thought of as a “Business Opportunity or worse a target to rob.
In my 50+ years of being in and out of S. America the only way to really gain any hope of acceptance. Is to move while you are young and marry into a family, learn Spanish and have a large family. Most of all contribute to family and local community.
CZ..
I’m in the same boat, got all of my main preps nailed, i’m at 80% + completed, the rest are “luxury” items, the main stuff is 100%.
That said, i’m big into emcomm, and am willing to assist in your emcomm needs, been working w NCS for many years now, as a student of his classes, and then passing that knowledge on to others, to develop simple, basic, affordable, reliable, “good enough,” commo for the “average joe,” got a .mil commo and IT background and serious amateur radio background focusing on covert urban/subruban emcomm.
More than happy to share what i know and do so that others may improve their positions.
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I’m well stocked enough I think for were I’m at . A BOL would be nice But what happens when you need serious medical care , Over the last few years I’ve had some life threatening issues that without quality medical care I’d be dead now . It doesn’t seem to be a concern in your younger years but as you age it’s a very real concern . Can’t fight Cancer or failing kidneys with bullets and freeze dried food .
Once your closets and basement is full enough, and your zip code is sketchy or becoming such it is now a matter of location, location, location. If you are wealthy then you can go all Rawles route and hire a consultant and move to a redoubter hobby farm. Just get out of those box store sized locales and emplace yourself in a little towney locale that does not have stop lights or any other nonsense items on your strategic relocation checklists. The cabin innawoods or homestead farm may be financially out of reach, or as you get older impractical, so just bug out now while the getting is good to a really rural town in a rural county. I did it, so from experience I can say it is both tactically and strategically way more important than another gun or box of magazines purchase. Buy those moving supplies, like boxes, tape, glue, furniture blankets, hand carts, etc. Before the import embargoes occur, and seriously study and look around at alternate locations. Following the news and trends it is obvious the writing is on the wall. Good luck, and stay frosty.
I agree that one never really finishes preparing, however I suspect that almost nobody is as prepared as they think they are.
It’s not a question of whether you’re prepared, but what you’re prepared for.
I suspect that location will be more important than many people realize and that having an unobtrusive property that is defendable with off grid water, heating, and cooking will be more valuable than we think now – and it will take a dedicated like minded group to make it work well.
The problem is this – prepared for what exactly? As Jolly stated – heath emergencies can certainly throw you a curve.
I don’t know that anyone EVER will be as prepared as they think they are, and that’s okay. Trying to be reasonable with time, money, resources, it’s tough. Finding some kind of balance. I wish I had all the answers but I don’t. Everyone is in a unique situation, but what us helpful us knowing YOU are out there, that CZ is out there, and a bunch of others like us. At least there are some people doing something. The way the world is right now I think more people better wake up quick.
Next order to attend to may be resilientcy,a portion of your immediate needs in a seperate secure and untraceable location in case of personal,local disaster or .gov action(see Carter Paige ruling). A couple years after a fire the preps are only a shadow of what was lost. A camper or conex with a portion of supplies would be ideal.
I lived in a rural county in Idaho. Called for jury duty. Poacher from the city thought us hicks would be OK with poaching. Didn’t think that he was an outsider and was poaching >our< deer.
Just cause you're in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean you're really in the middle of nowhere. You probably have proportionally more eyes on you than in the city. At least until you're known. Some places, your grandkids may be accepted as "local".
Good point. I now live in a remote rural county – where I see law enforcement far more than I ever did in any of the more urban areas I used to live in.
There are a significant number if people who know LOTS about many other people. This area is much less anonymous as well.
Young lad at work wanted an SKS so we made so phone calls. $600 cnd.
Z, don’t forget the next biggest expense you will have after getting the worlds best BOL. The bikini team that will be staffing it.
While I read that the Czar of Russia served Wooly Mammoth to his guests after the discovery of the beast in the Siberian ice, I wouldn’t recommend it. (Saving the DNA and having mammoths walking the earth some day is something scientists are actually working on in Russia.)
Storing a great amount of meat in a freezer is a good idea when economy is a paramount issue, but it assumes that the grid will always be functioning unless the person storing the meat has a very substantial solar power array. Most people don’t have the finances for this, or even the room to do this.
Once the grid goes down, if it becomes obvious that a generator will run out of fuel before the meat can be consumed, a race to make jerky would be required before the freezer’s contents became a threat to human health. It then becomes a question of how much meat can be saved.
Another alternative is to can the meat as it thaws.