Do you prep?

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

It's something that society still laughs at, I believe. If you believe in prepping/are a prepper. If you don't know, A Prepper is simply a person who prepares for events that might happen. Societal collapse to people who were caught in Hurricane Sandy, there are many reasons why people prep, as there are different degrees to which preppers prepare. I'm wondering if anyone else here preps, and if you feel like it, telling us your reasons for prepping.

Spoiler: My story

I grew up in the Bronx as a minority. I was taught by my teachers that firemen and the police were my friends and are here to protect me, but then I was taught about the adults in my family and life that they didn't care a damn about me. Growing up and hearing them yell at us for just being, I started to take the latter view of it.

I never felt like society really cares about me, and that if there was a problem I'd be on my own.

The first time I ever felt I needed an item was August 2003. If any of you remember, that was the giant black out [http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blackout-hits-northeast-united-states]. My grandmother was going through the early stages of Dementia at that point. And I was tasked to go the twenty miles to go pick her up. What was normally a 40 minute drive took 2 hours and maybe 15 minutes. I had to go up a few flights of stairs in complete dark and my grandmother didn't like that at all. From that point on, I made it a point to at least always have a flashlight on me.

There have been plenty of times I needed to cut something and I didn't have a knife or scissors, try to loosen screws with dimes, and open up those damn plastic packages that it just made sense to buy a multitool.

I won't even get into how many times I just ran out of charge and got earfuls from loved ones that they didn't know where I was. So it just made since to carry one of a battery charger with me. But by this time, I hardly had enough space in my pockets for my wallet. so I got a messenger bag and I started to add more stuff to have with me.

Sadly, in this day and age, I'm adding more life protection stuff to my kit. I just got a mini first aid kit. And terrifyingly enough, I'm looking at these body armor inserts you can put into bags. I really don't like that it's come to this, but just because I have no beef with anyone and even those looking to do harm truly don't have a beef with me... that doesn't mean I will not be a target.

I bring this up because I just gave a ride for a friend of mine and she regarded how heavy my Every Day Carry bag was when she moved it. I explained I had a lot of stuff in my EDC, and she asked what it was. When I explained, she looked at me funny. Like I was a paranoid freak. I shrugged it off and said "Hey, if you have a list when the next psycho is going to go off and what exactly he's going to do, forward it to me so I can just not be at that certain point when he does".

She didn't have a response to that, agreed that it was a scary world out there nowadays... but still thought I was crazy for trying to make sure I'm at least not completely without resources at time of need. I guess it's 'sane' to completely rely on other people and be helpless when the time comes.

Who knew?

 

[tippy2k2]

I barely have the money to survive right now this second, let alone to spend the money on prepping. I also have no real survival skills at all...

If the apocalypse happens, I'm fucked. I have made peace with that.

 

[Michel Henzel]

Well the last natural disaster for us was flooding some like 60 or so years ago, and we have gotten damn good at keeping that pesky water out since then. And that's all we really get, so I'm good.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

While I wouldn't exactly call myself a preper, mostly because of the poor connotations, I do try to make sure that I've maximized my chances of survival in the event that something bad does happen.

I live in California, we gets lot of earthquakes, wildfires, and occasionally power-outages that last for days. There haven't been any really big earthquakes in a while, but people keep predicting that we're going to have a large quake (7+) in the near future.

In the event of a really big quake there's a good chance of roads and freeways being damaged, as well as power-lines and other utilities. This means it could be difficult for emergency services to get to people, and it could be difficult to get water and food for several days and maybe even weeks. To this end I always try to maintain 2 weeks of food and water in my house, I have a bbq and a portable gas hotplate so that I can cook without electricity. I also have a Jeep so I can drive off-road or on damaged roads, and I always have some food, water, and first aid supplies in my car in case my car ever breaks down or I get into an accident and end up stranded somewhere.

I also always try to have a pocket knife on me, or at least in my car. It's always good to have a knife in your car in case you get into an accident and have to cut your seat-belt off or break a window to escape, and having a knife is just generally useful in a lot of every day situations. A lot of people don't realize how often a knife is useful until they actually carry one for a few weeks.

Finally I own several guns ('Merica) and do practice with them to make sure I'm a proficient shot. The police aren't always going to be able to get to you in the event of an emergency, especially in the event of a natural disaster like a large earthquake, and natural disasters are prime time for looting.

So yeah, I'm not at the point where I would carry around an EDC bag like the OP, but I wouldn't say that any amount of preparation is unjustified.

 

[Zhukov]

Wait, that counts as "prepping"?

I thought to be a real prepper you needed to have a basement full of canned beans, at least three guns with which to protect your beans from looters and no plan for how to access fresh water if the utilities go down.

As for me, umm... I have a pocket knife and a first aid kit in my bag? Both have been useful enough times to justify carrying them around.

 

[Saelune]

Well, depends to the extent. I have no desire to survive a nuclear apocalypse. If anything, I hope my house is the target. I don't want to be a ghoul, nor do I want to suffer in death.

If its being prepared for hurricanes, tornados, or tsunamis, especially in the appropriate regions, then it seems a fairly logical thing to do.

If its cause you're one of those gun nuts readying for the overthrowing of the US government, well, you're nuts for a bunch of reasons.

Not to say I don't have my own little paranoia issues. I got glass stuck in my foot once, and it was a terrible experience. A few months ago my grandmother dropped a bunch of beer bottles in the washer area of the basement. She *says* she got it all, and its been months but...I keep slippers near there, cause I am worried that the ONE time I don't use them, glass in foot. Its not bullet proof bag of medical supplies level, but its still something.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

So yeah, I'm not at the point where I would carry around an EDC bag like the OP, but I wouldn't say that any amount of preparation is unjustified.

It's also location. I spend a lot of time in New York City. I was lucky not to be in Manhattan during 2003, but some people were stuck in Manhattan with no place to stay for hours.

For example, I frequented Union Square in the Manhattan a lot during those days. Especially during the daylight hours, there's no where to park. From where I live to Union Square would take 113 mins via train. If the black out happened, it would take almost 9 hours to get home walking.

I frequent places where I don't have my own transportation save at night, on one of the biggest targets in the world. As you say, preparation is rarely unjustified as long as it's done with a healthy dose of reasoning and moderation. But I've had friends look at me like I'm crazy, and not even getting it when I explain the 9 hour trek thing. If things go down, I'm a long way from home. So I need to do what I can to get back there.

Wait, that counts as "prepping"?

I thought to be a real prepper you needed to have a basement full of canned beans, at least three guns with which to protect your beans from looters and no plan for how to access fresh water if the utilities go down.

As for me, umm... I have a pocket knife and a first aid kit in my bag? Both have been useful enough times to justify carrying them around.

Don't you live in Australia? Aren't you like... 5 times hardier than normal men by birthright?

Also, if anyone says they try to prepare for survival by holding up in their home and haven't planned for their water supply... yeah, go ahead and back away.

 

[Recusant]

Where I live, the only natural hazard we face is the odd tornado; and while those will kill you dead if they hit you, you'll probably be just fine if you're in the building next door (values of "next door" may increase with Fujita score, but the point stands). Given my current medical conditions, however, a societal-collapse scenario is very likely to kill me in a very slow, very unpleasant way, which I have no interest in going through. If we get word that Yellowstone's going to blow with enough notice, I'm heading out to Wyoming for a front-row seat.

But then again, not all disasters are natural, as anyone who had the misfortune of turning 18 while American and male in the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq can tell you. I'd had some vague, fuzzy plans formed when it became apparent that the government had no interest in listen to the will of the world, or most of its constituency, but after Dubya told the draft boards to start assembling? We all had plans. Very thorough, and often very ugly.

 

[WolfThomas]

Not really. Though occasionally I do think about stockpiling non-perishable food for a disaster as I already have a full rainwater tank.

I do have a lot of ammunition locked away. Mainly because ammunition is cheaper in bulk and it's easier than buying piecemeal.

 

[Something Amyss]

Power outages in this area are frequent enough that I always have a stock of batteries, a couple of flashlights, a radio, etc. I also have a stock of bottled water and enough canned food to probably last me a couple of weeks if I need it to.

The last time a flood hit my area it took about three days for everything to get up and running. I'm not really "prepped" beyond maybe a few days.

I do carry some extra stuff in my bag, too, but I doubt it'd last me more than a day in an emergency.

 

[omega 616]

As I started reading I thought "this guy is an American" and then clicked the spoiler and BAM "I grew up in the Bronx".

Americans have this paranoia about them, maybe it's all the disaster movies that always wipe out the statue of liberty and/or the golden gate bridge, maybe it's the rampant shootings but whatever it is you all seem to have it.

I'm in the UK and know of nobody who is a "prepper", maybe that's us not thinking ahead or that we don't live near anything that could effect us (no volcanoes, fault lines and never get huge tornadoes), we have pretty good infrastructure, so it's not like gas, electricity or water cut off a lot. We have psycho's and gangs, who have guns but it's rare and the gangs aren't large, 20 to 30 at most.

I have a pair of gloves that have hardened knuckles, designed for motocross that I use as a "just in case" and I have a punch bag that I hit on a little (not like I am doing even 10 minute sessions, just 2 or 3 minutes every 2 or 3 weeks) but it's not like I am looking to carry a knife or gun or that I am even worried that something will happen.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

I have much the same kit, aside from the first aid, but also water and a day supply of food.

But it's less about doomsday prep and more about my line of work. I do security, and if it snows or the like I'm pretty much stranded at my job until I'm relieved... I mean I could go home but I'll be jobless.

But thanks for reminding me, I need to get a new portable battery/flashlight combo, I should probably get a first aid kit. And Duct tape as Mythbusters has taught me.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

As I started reading I thought "this guy is an American" and then clicked the spoiler and BAM "I grew up in the Bronx".

Americans have this paranoia about them, maybe it's all the disaster movies that always wipe out the statue of liberty and/or the golden gate bridge, maybe it's the rampant shootings but whatever it is you all seem to have it.

I'm in the UK and know of nobody who is a "prepper", maybe that's us not thinking ahead or that we don't live near anything that could effect us (no volcanoes, fault lines and never get huge tornadoes), we have pretty good infrastructure, so it's not like gas, electricity or water cut off a lot. We have psycho's and gangs, who have guns but it's rare and the gangs aren't large, 20 to 30 at most.

I have a pair of gloves that have hardened knuckles, designed for motocross that I use as a "just in case" and I have a punch bag that I hit on a little (not like I am doing even 10 minute sessions, just 2 or 3 minutes every 2 or 3 weeks) but it's not like I am looking to carry a knife or gun or that I am even worried that something will happen.

I think American's have seen in the past whenever our Government tries to help people it does a terrible job, like Hurricane Katrina or Sandy... or even how it treated the first responders on 9/11.

Basically the worst thing in this country is to be dependent on U.S. Government for survival.

Plus we just plain don't like being told what to do, and the moment your being handed the Government Cheese you gotta play by their rules.

 

[omega 616]

As I started reading I thought "this guy is an American" and then clicked the spoiler and BAM "I grew up in the Bronx".

Americans have this paranoia about them, maybe it's all the disaster movies that always wipe out the statue of liberty and/or the golden gate bridge, maybe it's the rampant shootings but whatever it is you all seem to have it.

I'm in the UK and know of nobody who is a "prepper", maybe that's us not thinking ahead or that we don't live near anything that could effect us (no volcanoes, fault lines and never get huge tornadoes), we have pretty good infrastructure, so it's not like gas, electricity or water cut off a lot. We have psycho's and gangs, who have guns but it's rare and the gangs aren't large, 20 to 30 at most.

I have a pair of gloves that have hardened knuckles, designed for motocross that I use as a "just in case" and I have a punch bag that I hit on a little (not like I am doing even 10 minute sessions, just 2 or 3 minutes every 2 or 3 weeks) but it's not like I am looking to carry a knife or gun or that I am even worried that something will happen.

I think American's have seen in the past whenever our Government tries to help people it does a terrible job, like Hurricane Katrina or Sandy... or even how it treated the first responders on 9/11.

Basically the worst thing in this country is to be dependent on U.S. Government for survival.

Plus we just plain don't like being told what to do, and the moment your being handed the Government Cheese you gotta play by their rules.

Which is by far my biggest complaint about your government, we all know communism doesn't work but neither does capitalism and America is the greatest example of that. All that money going to military to kill people in other places, while in their own back yard the amount of poverty makes some parts a 3rd world cities/area's, Baltimore and Detroit spring to mind.

Which is why I was hoping Bernie would get in but knew deep down he wouldn't 'cos he was a damn commie! (I know he isn't but that was the public perception) and anything Commie is evil and un-American!

Anyway, that is wildly off topic, so I will shut up!

 

[fenrizz]

A little.

I keep a little pantry with aobut 1 month of food for 4 people, some chocolate and spices.
It's for sudden money issues, general emergency, war, zombie apocalypse etc.

Don't think I'll ever need it, but I like to be sure.

 

[Synigma]

I've never really feared the end of the world. Now part of that is probably due to being right across the border from Detroit, which was classically one of the first targets in case of nuclear war. Plus I'm unlucky... so yeah I'm totally going to be collateral damage before it even matters if I'm prepped or not.
And the other part of that is that since I have always lived out in the county I've always had my car nearby. Having a car = 99% of necessity being readily in reach. It provides a source to charge anything or transportation to get anything. Actually I do keep a blanket in the trunk in case I break down in the winter and need to keep warm. Oh and one of those credit card knives, for situations where it's useful to have a knife (and I always end up losing pocket knives).

I guess it's 'sane' to completely rely on other people and be helpless when the time comes.

Who knew?

And now you're doing exactly what she did. Passive aggressively judging everyone who doesn't share your view of the world. Some people don't have the time/energy to invest in worrying that far ahead. Some people have never considered that society will every change. And then there are people like me who realize that they are too invested and if society falls having supplies to last a week or two is probably just dragging out the inevitable. I'm a computer programmer who plays video games and sudoku for fun... Frankly even if I could adapt to a crumbling world... would I want to?

 

[Phasmal]

No, not really. I think it's a good idea that I don't start, because I would never stop. I'm a very anxious person by nature, and while I do imagine every possible scenario that could possibly go wrong, I have to try and evaluate what is a real risk and what isn't.

Oh, but I always have sanitary products on me, even though I take pills which mean I don't get periods. Just a leftover thing from when I was at an all-girls school. I've been asked enough times that it's always worth it.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

I guess it makes much more sense in the US where multiple factors lead to environments that are not particularly reliable, much more potential danger also not helped by perpetuating fears through a sea of various media. From a US perspective, a casual personal prepping is sensible, as long as it's not like the uberparanoid families anticipating an imminent full societal collapse as they peer in terror over their flags at untrustworthy strangers. In the UK we just watch Ray Mears or Bear (hehe) Grills to learn how to extract first aid and internet from dandelions and elm tree leaves if the need arrives. Those things are hardly any more than a ten minute walk away in this island.

 

[Major_Tom]

I never leave my home without at least a knife and a flashlight, but I usually have a lot more in my backpack. Don't worry about the people who think you're crazy, they quickly change their tune when they need some of the stuff you're carrying.

 

[Rosiv]

I would like to prep, but to do it in a concise manner would mean spender a decent chunk of change on reliable multitools. I lack the funds for that. If I was rich though, id invest in those tools + a nice van that i could modify( solar powered roof, electric stove top, bedding, etc...).