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"American Blackout" thread

TacticalEvilDan said:
Whatever you say. As I've said before to the OP, you'd better hope you're not in the minority, because if you are none of what you just said is going to matter.
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I see your point and I don't disagree, as a rule. I just feel that I'm in a different situation here. We may not last forever, but we'll last a good long while due to my experience and the experience of those that will be here as well. And hopefully we'll last long enough. That's all we can hope for.

It's better than the alternative; To be reliant upon others and not be self sufficient. In that situation, those people wont last long at all.
 
Beaudreaux said:
I'm not what is referred to today as a prepper. But, given my military background, and my profession in Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, I am prepared.

I have four generators: 1) a 45kW permanent mounted LPG engine back-up generator with auto switch attached to the house with a 500 gallon and 1,000 gallon underground tanks that I keep full; 2) 33kW trailer mounted diesel engine generator that is a back-up to the back-up; 3) a 15kW gasoline engine generator for remote use, and; 4) a mobile solar generator that I built that can run essential communications.

I also have a LPG grill piped to the two underground tanks.

I have three freezers that are always kept full by rotating produce and meat.

I have two deep wells for fresh water (one isn't attached to the main power from the house and that's what the two big portable generators are for, in case I need it for drinking water).

I also live on an old family farm, and can grow my own food during the summer (we have a 5 acre garden) that we eat from and freeze the extra for the winter.

I have a 1 acre pond that is full of Bass, Cat Fish and Bream. So we have fish to eat if required.

I have two above ground 500 gallon diesel tanks that we use for the farm, so I have some fuel. Not enough, but some.

I also have a large supply of freeze dried foods and canned foods that I started collecting when I was a Scoutmaster, and I use them when I deploy to a disaster area so I'm not a burden on the local resources.

I have two battery powered golf carts that can get me around without draining my fuel supply.

And, I have a contract with the local LPG company, that requires them to come to my house the very day we have a power outage, to top off my underground tanks. Which they have done a number of times so far when the power has gone out.

I've been able to run the generator for three weeks at a time, without loosing power at all.

And then there's all my Boy Scout camping and wilderness survival stuff, that will be used as much as possible, to save the other resources as long as possible.

And lastly, I have two Eagle Scout sons and a wife that's a member of the Order of the Arrow and has no problem "roughing it."

Replenishable food supply, different protected water sources, shelter, energy, training and lots of books.

I'm good. Although I will miss the internet.
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Awesome. I'm ex-military also and have a 90+ day supply of Wise brand emergency food supplies, plus plenty of water, butane and Sterno grills, firearms with laser/lights, knives, survival gear, lights / batteries, matches, a couple of P38's for my many canned goods, a full gas tank with key-locked cap, plus a gang of military brothers down at the American Legion. And the mountains, caves, and lakes are not far away, and I have a 4-wheel drive P/U to get there.
 
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Logicman said:
Awesome. I'm ex-military also and have a 90+ day supply of Wise brand emergency food supplies, plus plenty of water, butane and Sterno grills, firearms with laser/lights, knives, survival gear, lights / batteries, matches, a couple of P38's for my many canned goods, a full gas tank with key-locked cap, plus a gang of military brothers down at the American Legion. And the mountains, caves, and lakes are not far away, and I have a 4-wheel drive P/U to get there.
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Sounds good.

P38's should be a requirement for every key chain. Leatherman's are great, but you can't beat a good old fashioned P38 that can fit in any wallet or any key chain without being in the way. The P51 is a little large for my preferences.
 
Beaudreaux said:
I see your point and I don't disagree, as a rule. I just feel that I'm in a different situation here. We may not last forever, but we'll last a good long while due to my experience and the experience of those that will be here as well. And hopefully we'll last long enough. That's all we can hope for.

It's better than the alternative; To be reliant upon others and not be self sufficient. In that situation, those people wont last long at all.
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People living a highly specialized society constantly depend on each other and are rarely self-sufficient. Dependence does not equal disaster.
 
TacticalEvilDan said:
People living a highly specialized society constantly depend on each other and are rarely self-sufficient. Dependence does not equal disaster.
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I don't disagree with that to a point. I didn't mean to insinuate it was. Even the federal government wants us all to be self sufficient to a certain level, when disaster strikes.

Some of us are just more capable of self sustaining than others. I wish it wasn't that way, but it is. That also one of the reasons I had both my sons join Boy Scouts, to learn those skills.

The more reliant we become on technology, ease of access and the benevolence of others, the worse it could be on us as a society if the lights went out for any sustained length of time.

I can see where those in metropolitan areas will have a harder time with it. They chose that area to live, and that's also okay with me as well.
 
MaggieD said:
What impressed me is that you aren't necessarily counting on "stockpiling." You are living your life with self-sufficiency. Bottled water runs out. Wells rarely. Water will become the new gold. Ammunition won't be a bad investment either. ;)
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Fuel and mechanics and tools will be also in demand.
 
Beaudreaux said:
I don't disagree with that to a point. I didn't mean to insinuate it was. Even the federal government wants us all to be self sufficient to a certain level, when disaster strikes.

Some of us are just more capable of self sustaining than others. I wish it wasn't that way, but it is. That also one of the reasons I had both my sons join Boy Scouts, to learn those skills.

The more reliant we become on technology, ease of access and the benevolence of others, the worse it could be on us as a society if the lights went out for any sustained length of time.

I can see where those in metropolitan areas will have a harder time with it. They chose that area to live, and that's also okay with me as well.
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One of the things to have in these type situations and to help prevent you from being a victim, is to have skill sets and tools that are hard to come by in those situations.
I live near a city so if I don't want marauders raiding my place then I better know something they need. In my case its how to farm and raise animals and how to do mechanical and basic, electrical work and basic chemistry. I also have a large collection of tools which don't require electricity. I also know how to build tools. Most of my family knows how to and or has this expertise. Its a good bet people will need that sort of expertise. Which means you have leverage. Enough maybe to keep them out of your stocks for a while anywho. Knowledge is THE most important commodity in these type of situations.
 
I sounded a bit abysmal earlier, didn't I?

I forgot to add what I think is the most important piece of advice: stay positive, stay connected(with your sources of support, whether they be community based or faith based, and stay realistic.

:)
 
So did anyone actually watch the show? I got about half way through before my claustrophobic anxiety set in. 8I
 
Am I prepared if happened today? No.

Neither my current residence or the house I own in Oklahoma are my permanent residences. Once I sell the house in OK and can buy my permanent residence, then I can start investing into the infrastructure at the level needed. I simply do not have the resources available to accomplish it.
 
Beaudreaux said:
I'm not what is referred to today as a prepper. But, given my military background, and my profession in Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, I am prepared.

I have four generators: 1) a 45kW permanent mounted LPG engine back-up generator with auto switch attached to the house with a 500 gallon and 1,000 gallon underground tanks that I keep full; 2) 33kW trailer mounted diesel engine generator that is a back-up to the back-up; 3) a 15kW gasoline engine generator for remote use, and; 4) a mobile solar generator that I built that can run essential communications.

I also have a LPG grill piped to the two underground tanks.

I have three freezers that are always kept full by rotating produce and meat.

I have two deep wells for fresh water (one isn't attached to the main power from the house and that's what the two big portable generators are for, in case I need it for drinking water).

I also live on an old family farm, and can grow my own food during the summer (we have a 5 acre garden) that we eat from and freeze the extra for the winter.

I have a 1 acre pond that is full of Bass, Cat Fish and Bream. So we have fish to eat if required.

I have two above ground 500 gallon diesel tanks that we use for the farm, so I have some fuel. Not enough, but some.

I also have a large supply of freeze dried foods and canned foods that I started collecting when I was a Scoutmaster, and I use them when I deploy to a disaster area so I'm not a burden on the local resources.

I have two battery powered golf carts that can get me around without draining my fuel supply.

And, I have a contract with the local LPG company, that requires them to come to my house the very day we have a power outage, to top off my underground tanks. Which they have done a number of times so far when the power has gone out.

I've been able to run the generator for three weeks at a time, without loosing power at all.

And then there's all my Boy Scout camping and wilderness survival stuff, that will be used as much as possible, to save the other resources as long as possible.

And lastly, I have two Eagle Scout sons and a wife that's a member of the Order of the Arrow and has no problem "roughing it."

Replenishable food supply, different protected water sources, shelter, energy, training and lots of books.

I'm good. Although I will miss the internet.
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If you don't tell people what you have, they don't come and try to take it from you.
 
Mason66 said:
If you don't tell people what you have, they don't come and try to take it from you.
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Everyone around here knows what I have, mostly anyway, because every time the power goes off for more than a day, they see all the cars here with the lights on in the house.

So... not much of a secret.

But I agree with your point.
 
Beaudreaux said:
Everyone around here knows what I have, mostly anyway, because every time the power goes off for more than a day, they see all the cars here with the lights on in the house.

So... not much of a secret.

But I agree with your point.
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That was the way I survived the first 10 years I was in Mexico. Nobody knew what I had in my house, plus I had 5 dogs in there, so I never got robbed. Every other house around me got something stolen, but not from mine.

It is amazing how afraid Mexicans are of dogs. They are a great deterrent.
 
Mason66 said:
That was the way I survived the first 10 years I was in Mexico. Nobody knew what I had in my house, plus I had 5 dogs in there, so I never got robbed. Every other house around me got something stolen, but not from mine.

It is amazing how afraid Mexicans are of dogs. They are a great deterrent.
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Is that a '66 T-Bird in your avatar? It's real hard for me to see on my 'puter screen. I'm going mostly off the back half.
 
I am prepared. I am prepared to take what I need. I hope you are ready to defend yourself.
 
Beaudreaux said:
Is that a '66 T-Bird in your avatar? It's real hard for me to see on my 'puter screen. I'm going mostly off the back half.
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The car is a 1963 Plymouth Fury 4 door hardtop. Mine is a 4 door sedan but very similar.How on earth did you get a '66 Bird? Your screen must be very small or blurry eyes maybe?
 
Mason66 said:
The car is a 1963 Plymouth Fury 4 door hardtop. Mine is a 4 door sedan but very similar.How on earth did you get a '66 Bird? Your screen must be very small or blurry eyes maybe?
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Both, screen and eyes. My granny glasses need to be cleaned.

Think about it, look at the back end of both, then consider my screen and dirty reading glasses; they are similar in design given your avatar:

38417660001_large.jpg
 
For temporary disasters... 2-4 weeks... we'd do alright. We have a generator, a water well, a packed freezer. For long-term disaster, societal collapse, etc., not so much. We're too old and with too many health issues to defend ourselves, even with the few firearms we have available, so I'm not going to fool myself. When mobs form to loot and plunder, we'll be one of the first places they hit. At that point, it will be survival of the fittest and regardless of what experience and knowledge we have that could be useful in such a situation, we will certainly not be among the fittest.

I've learned long ago not to worry about things that are beyond my power to change. So I enjoy the good things about today, and if the worst befalls us in the future, then I shall face it with as much grace as I can muster. I am satisfied with the life I have lived. That's about as much as anyone can hope for, in my opinion.
 
Judging by the quality of the "preppers" I've seen and met....I'd rather be dead than to live under the authority of these whack-a-doodles...

We have one in my town, who was convinced that the sun was going to explode or something last year forcing the $$$$ to hit the fan, he was on TV with his whole prepper wank-fest.

Oh, BTW, the sun is doing fine...ask any scientist...
 
Bodhisattva said:
I am prepared. I am prepared to take what I need. I hope you are ready to defend yourself.
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If you're planning to visit my neighborhood, get right with your maker beforehand.

I hate thieves.
 
WCH said:
Are YOU prepared? Because if you're not, YOU ARE A BURDEN ON THOSE OF US WHO ARE.
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Realize that some of us would not be worrying about outselves in such a situation. Some of us would be forced to leave our families and friends to fend for themselves while we went to try and fix the problem. We always think of firefighters and police in these situations, but rarely do people think about the utility workers who spend 12-16 hours a day, regardless of the weather or their own family's status, trying to put everyone's lights back on.
 
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