From ConSigCor:
Emergencies such as natural or manmade disasters, a declaration of martial law, a terrorist event or foreign invasion etc. could disrupt your ability to travel, procure food, medical and fuel supplies and disrupt communications and utility services. Without proper planning for these events and the acquisition and storage of essential supplies you will be at the mercy of the elements or the oppressor.
It is imperative that EVERY member and his family prepare to survive totally off the grid with no outside assistance for periods of up to a year. Do not be discouraged or overwhelmed by this idea. Write out a plan to accomplish your goals. Start small and build gradually one step at a time.
Begin your emergency preparations by:
1. Posting a list of All emergency contact phone numbers by each phone.
2. Making a Threat Assessment. Determine what type of disasters or severe weather is likely to occur in you area. Determine what resources and emergency services will be available.
3. Stay informed. Monitor news, weather and emergency service agencies for developing events.
4. Develop a family Evacuation Plan in case of fire, and a designated area your family will meet to be accounted for.
5. Develop an evacuation Plan to cover other disasters such as flooding etc that may require you to leave the neighborhood. Every vehicle should have a 72 hour evac kit.
Cut all non-essential expenses. Make a bare bones budget and stick to it. Get out of debt ASAP. Sell off unessasary items and junk for extra cash. Save up a minimum $1000 emergency fund. Build a nest egg of hard currency. You should maintain at least a 3 month, preferably 6 month emergency cash reserve to cover ALL living expenses.
Store seeds, canning and gardening equipment. Plant a garden and can food. Buy staples in bulk. Go for group purchases. Build your essential supplies one step at a time. Start with the basic home supplies; most of which you probably already have scattered around the house. Organize these supplies in a storage room or area.
Make sure each family member has a 72 hour Bug Out Bag packed and ready in case you have to evacuate in a hurry. Keep a 72 hour emergency kit packed in each vehicle and be sure all vehicle gas tanks are kept full at all times. Keep spare 5 gallon cans for each vehicle.
72-HOUR BUG OUT BAG:
1 belt knife per person
1 first aid kit per person
1 belt
1 quart canteen with cup and stove
1 faraday flashlight
1 GMRS or MURS HT
1 Sidearm and holster
In the pack:
2 pair heavy work socks
1 pair underware
1 tee shirt or flannel (depending on weather)
1 bar soap
1 small towel and washcloth
1 pack AA batteries
1 candle
1 pack Bic loghters
3 pack TriOxene fuel bars
1 Poncho and liner
1 sleeping bag per person
72 hour supply of MRE's or homeade food rations
BASIC EMERGENCY SUPPLY LIST:
1 Large First Aid / Medical Kit
1 Dual fuel Coleman stove
1 Dual fuel lantern with spare mantles and pump
2 kerosene lanterns
2 kerosene lamps w/spare globes and wicks
Candles
10 Gallons stove fuel
25 Gallons kerosene
125 Gallons Gasoline with stabilizer
1 kerosene heater or wood stove
$5 kitchen matches
2 or more large ABC fire extinguishers
1 non electric can opener
2 large plastic washpans,
1 cast iron skillet,
1 large pot with lid and handle,
1 butcher knife,
1 meat cleaver
2 buckets and 1 washtub
1 Case (24 rolls) toilet paper
24 Bars of antibacterial soap
1 Windup clock
1 Thermometer / Barometer
5 boxes of large heavy duty garbage bags
1 roll 4 mil. Plastic
several rolls duct tape and electrical tape
6 gallon unscented bleach
2 gallon white vinegar
Several large rat traps, steel traps, snares etc.
Fishing pole, hooks, sinkers etc.
1 large roll barb wire
Minimum 14 day, ( 30 day preferred) Food Supply
Stock pantry with canned, powdered and dehydrayted foods. Plus, staples such as salt, pepper, sugar, coffee, tea, vinegar. flour, cornmeal, oats, beans and rice.
COMMUNICATIONS:
1 Scanner
1 Shortwave or Ham radio
1 Sideband CB
2 Deep cycle marine battery
1 40 watt solar panel
Keep spare 5 gallon cans for each vehicle.
BASIC TOOL KIT
hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, crescent and pipe wrenches, handsaw and drill, crow bar, shovel, pick mattock, hoe, axe, maul and wedge, chainsaw w/spare chain, plug and 12 cans of oil
WATER SUPPLY:
Water is THE most essential resource everyone must have. Without it, you can die in 3 - 5 days. If it's contaminated it can cause many deadly diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery etc. During a disaster water from public utilities may be contaminated or unavailable. You must be prepared to decontaminate whatever water source is on hand. Furthermore you must be able to store adaquate supplies of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Many books claim 1-2 gallons per person per day is adequete; but, 5 gallons per person per day is more realistic.
Storage:
The best solution to your water supply needs is a well or spring that has been tested. If that isn't available you should build a large cistern. If a well is over 25 feet deep a hand pump will not work, so you might need to consider a solar powered pump. If the cistern is built high enough it will provide enough pressure to "gravity flow" into your homes existing plumbing. Water may also be stored in a swimming pool or clean, NEW plastic garbage cans. Four of these 32 gallon cans should be on hand at all times.
Decontamination:
Every home water supply should include a filtration system designed to remove chemicals, sediment etc. Water can be decontaminated by boiling for 5 minutes. This will kill all bacteria, viruses or parasites that may be present from animal or human waste. Add 1 minute for every 1000 feet above sea level.
Iodine will also work, but isn't as effective as boiling; especially if the water is cloudy. One ounce of 2 % tincture iodine is enough to treat 160 gallons of water. Use 4 drops per quart for clear and 8 drops per quart for cloudy water. Let set for 1 hour. Do not use if you have thyroid problems or are pregnant.
Chlorine Bleach is next in order of effectiveness. It will not kill certain viruses such as Hepatitis A or certain parasites. Before using, be sure the bleach contains no other additives such as perfumes...it must be plain bleach. Water treated with chlorine will store about 6 months. Use 12 drops per quart and wait 1 hour before use.
FOOD:
Begin with a minimum 15 day supply for each person.
EVACUATION S.O.P.
An evacuation may become necessary for many reasons; including natural or manmade disasters, civil unrest, terrorism etc. If you wait until the last minute to evacuate; you will be caught up in the masses of panic stricken sheep who don't have a clue what to do. There may be rioting, looting and and panic buying at the stores by the unprepared. Martial law will be declared with curfues, gas and food rationing, checkpoints and roadblocks. DO NOT get caught in this mess.
You must preplan for these events. You must have somewhere to retreat to set up in advance and must have a Primary route as well as 2 secondary routes planned.
Always keep your gear packed and ready to go. Keep the gas tank full at all times and have at least a 5 gallon can in reserve. Every vehicle must be equipped with a mobillity kit.
Vehicle Mobility Kit:
2 Cans Fix A Flat plus a tire plug kit
1 Spare tire, jack and lug wrench
1 12 Volt compressor
1 Set of tire chains
1 Come along or winch
1 Chain saw
1 Each...axe / shovel
1 Bolt cutter
1 5 gallon can of gas
1 Each fuel and oil filter, 5 quarts oil
1 spare fan belts, headlight, fuses
1 Set basic tools
1 Fire extinguisher
1 Spotlight
1 Flashight and spare batteries
1 10 -11 Meter SSB radio
1 200 channel scanner
EVAC ROUTES:
Prior reconnaissance is an absolute must. You will need a State Atlas and a USGS map of your Area of Operations. You need to plan out 3 routes in advance. The primary route should be the most direct possible. Avoid all interstates and major state highways. The alternate routes should be back roads as far off the beaten path as possible. When selecting a route; look for all choke points and possible ambush sites so that you wont be supprised when the time comes. Look for out of the way sites to pre-deploy supplies along the way. Once you have selected your routes; drive them night and day under various conditions. You must familarise yourself with these routes and come to know them like the back of your hand. You must know them well enough to drive them without lights.
OPSEC AND CONVOY OPS:
The First step in preparing your evacuation plan is the predesignation of an initial rendevous point. It should be centrally located and enroute to the designated area of operations. Try to pick a high elevation that will provide a degree of cover and concealment. If the route is over 30 miles long, or passes through several small towns, then you must set up intermediate rally points, using the same criteria as before.
Second, the Order of March: First in line will be the lightest and least capable vehicle, carrying the forward security element. If the first vehicle crosses obstacles unassisted, then the rest of the conoy should have no problem. Second in line is the heaviest and most capable vehicle carrying tow lines, winch, chain saw, axes and other vehicle recovery and road clearing equipment. In the event of a stuck vehicle or road block, this equipment will be used to clear it. The forward security element will position itself for rapid deployment in the event of an ambush during clearing operations. Third and Fourth in line will be the supply vehicles and support personnel. Last in line will be the rear security element in a heavy 4WD, carrying equipment to create roadblocks.
Third, ON the march, maintain maximum safe interval between vehicles. Don't bunch up; particularly at obstacles or possible ambush points. Each vehicle should remain in sight and small arms range of the vehicle in front and behind it. Minimize exposure by maintaining the interval at temporary halts.
Fourth: Radio Communications must be maintained between vehicles. Use all COMSEC measures including the alternate brevity code. Make no on the air referances to road or place names, landmarks etc. Do not engage in sensless chatter. Maintain radio silence as much as possible.
Fifth: Laager (disperse in a circle) all vehicles under camoufage and concealment during any prolonged halt. Maintain light and noise discipline at all times. Both light and noise travel long distances at night in rural areas. Keep two sentries patrolling the circle in opposite directions. so they can keep watch on the laager and each other. Rotate sentries every 4 hours.
Posted by: ShieldWolf Sep 14 2005, 03:41 PM
Not bad.
This is similar to the set up we use here.
It is a terrible thing but Katrina shou'ld show all that you are you'r own salvation.
"Sharpen You'r swords, but limit you'r borders"
Old Roman Proverb
Posted by: Ringsider Sep 17 2005, 06:43 AM
QUOTE
2 Deep cycle marine battery, 1 40 watt solar panel
It would be a good idea to include a Charge controller. A good 10amp charge controller, with low voltage disconnect capabilities, ~$50. The charge controller will prevent the accidental overcharging on your batteries. The low voltage disconnect also removes the load from the batteries if their capacities get too low, which protects your electronics.
You should also try to locate you batteries outside, in an insulated container. Batteries vent off nasty gases that you wouldn't want to be esposed to. Sealed lead-acid batteries vent less.
Batteries also require periodic maintenance. Simple (but important) items to maintain are the water levels in the cells (use [/B]distilled[B] water), and remove any oxidation from the terminal connections. A brush works well. I remove the clamps and clean their interior cantact surface with a round, wire brush used in plumbing. After cleaning, a small amount of coating applied to the clamp/terminal connection comes next. Vaseline or automotive grease helps to prevent any oxidation. This is a military maintenance spec for vehicle batteries, and works equally well on POV's.
