Ask yourself these four questions to reveal your level of preparedness

[Graynomad]

...more emphasis on begin part of a prepper group or loose association of like minded people has huge advantage in shared skills, equipment and security.

Likewise, fortunately some of my immediate neighbours are on the same page so we have a nice parcel of land between us.

 

[Silent Earth]

The one thing I really don't get involved with here locally is other prepping groups given that most around here are more or less prepping for war not necessarily survival, I keep a fairly good relationship with these groups just have not and will not join them only because I think the focus and direction is wrong, for the most part I think the age gap plays a roll between me and these groups 'we think differently'

I NOMINATE THIS FOR POST OF THE YEAR
"The one thing I really don't get involved with here locally is other prepping groups given that most around here are more or less prepping for war not necessarily survival,"

To many folks are prepping for the ALMOST impossible ( Invasion of the US / Federal take over of US/ The Creation of the EUSSR/ Australia going alcohol free/ Finland invading Sweden etc) but not looking at LIKELY causes ( ISIL launching bio / chem attack on western cities / 8.5 on West coast US/ Mexican drug war exploding across border/ El Nino events and other natural disasters etc

 

[Gazrok]

Personally, I think economic collapse and the ensuing military rule is pretty much our most likely SHTF scenario. Even the scenarios mentioned above are localized, but a global economic collapse is nearly a statistical certainty.

 

[Maverick]

I really don't see military rule, only Congress can implement Martial Law and that's only after all federal courts are shut down including the Supreme Court that forces the suspension of habeas corpus, also only an act of Congress can move a standing army into the streets of the States since the passing of the posse comitatus act

 

[Graynomad]

... ALMOST impossible...Australia going alcohol free...

Nice try, thought you'd slip that one past me eh?

No "almost" about it, that IS impossible.

But yes the chances of going the full Monty with civil war, invasion etc are IMO pretty slim, especially here in Oz. We have our problems sure, but OTOH Aussies are mostly just too laid back I think. That's both a good thing and a bad thing.

 

[Hippophibia]

Personally, I think economic collapse and the ensuing military rule is pretty much our most likely SHTF scenario. Even the scenarios mentioned above are localized, but a global economic collapse is nearly a statistical certainty.

From outside the US perspective, catastrophic economic collapse like all banks closed for 6 months across the world and the US - simply run out of cash to operate due to debt and currencies having no value. US is a racial and welfare powder keg that can blow pretty quick, so civil war ensues in the US. All those guns and bullets will be put to use, then terrorist/Russia/China take advantage of the chaos and use bio-weapons then nukes - when things fail completely invasion by China and Russia. This is my take according to current world events, visions and biblical scripture. In the end Russia/China will be defeated and the stars an stripes will fly again after global reset and mass destruction, mother nature will have it's say as well with earthquakes, volcanoes, storms, drought, plagues === all these things are already happening and intensity and frequency is increasing.

 

[jayson40]

My wife and I are new to the prepping world so we stock up on what we can when we can. So stocking on food and water ,ammo and arrows isn't pur problem. The problem is living in tornado country what we would do if we lost electricity. So our plan is to stock up on more foods that don't require a fridge or freezer until we can come up with a back up plan in case we lost electricity.

 

[jimLE]

great idea jason40..might stock up on canned foods that can be heated on a gas stove,or eaten as is,and stright from the can.as well as what other foods yall eat..

 

[Prepare33]

I think these levels are really good

People struggle with where to begin when they start prepping, but if you start from making shelter arrangements first, it can be easier to start gathering other equipment such as electrical: http://doomsdayisnear.com/printable-doomsday-preppers-supplies-list-the-ultimate-checklist-non-foods

Best wishes

 

[Rob Painless]

I voted myself a 4, but could be a 3 or 3.5 depending on a couple of the fine points of the list. Weaker on our power generating abilities than I want to be (pretty sad, considering that I have my own electrical business). I keep putting off getting the solar stuff we need. Always seems to be something more important (urgent) to spend my money on. I hope that doesn't come back to bite me. At least we have a good gasoline powered generator. We could at least keep our freezers going for quite a while (they only need to run for a couple or three hours a day to keep frozen) and we'd be able to make sure our water tank is full.

 

[Brent S]

I like solar as well, but it involves the expense of panels and then batteries. Still just too much for me at this point. I'm covered for storms or short term disasters, but I think we're all in for a rough long term issue.

 

[Maverick]

Though I believe that each levels are good to a point it's not concrete in what is necessarily listed in each of the 5 levels, the personal requirements and geographic's would truly dictate the levels of preparedness! While each level has good items listed though with some being slightly over the top. Knowledge can replace many of these items and save on the pocket book! I am set for a year long emergency not year(s), we need to be realistic in our preps. I am under no illusion that in one year things will change dramatically (providing things go beyond one year) thus is the reason I will use this year as a transitional period. Many of the items such as freeze dried food, batteries including solar/rechargeable's, first aid kits, fuels etc.. are deemed transitional goods and supplies (temporary) solely for the family comfort, if you are solo with knowledge and one doesn't need a transitional period then much of the so called comfort items are not needed again knowledge is key.

Each Levels with the listed preps can be discouraging with new comers to prepping and it doesn't need to be discouraging, start with immediate needs, food water etc.. then expand off that then during the expansion gain knowledge (that's generally free) and test your self and equipment, don't take anyone's word for any products (research research research) and buy books, read and 'practice'

If one has only one choice of free picking between a brand new AR-15 with 5000 rnds of ammo or 5 55gal barrels of water and one is in dire need of both pick the water! Don't compete with the Jones!!

 

[jimLE]

all so true.i knew that when i first posted that,not one section is liable to fit a person completely...but yet i figured,that it might at least get some if not most to thinking about their knowledge and preps.right along with how prepared they are.but yet.it's food for thought..i like reading diff stuff like that.on account helps me realize where im not prepared for short term and long term alike..

 

[Maverick]

It's a good article, I saved it in my favorites

 

[Gazrok]

Hippophibia, the problems (for Russo-China) with that scenario, are:

1. The US has what is likely a decent defense system vs. ballistic missiles (I say likely as it has never been fully tested of course). By no means full-proof, but effective (based on limited testing results). In addition, there are WAY more targets needed to take out in the US to cripple it, than there are in Russia or China (meaning our missles will be more effective). Do you think US missiles will sit in the silos? Not to mention all those subs and bombers.

2. Russia and China simply don't have the vehicles to get here with enough infantry (and stealth) to be successful with a land invasion. Couple this with an armed citizenry, and an invasion of the US is simply a logistical nightmare for any other military on the planet. Even if they could manage it initially, it would be via a VERY susceptible supply train that could easily be cut off.

 

[Hippophibia]

Hippophibia, the problems (for Russo-China) with that scenario, are:

1. The US has what is likely a decent defense system vs. ballistic missiles (I say likely as it has never been fully tested of course). By no means full-proof, but effective (based on limited testing results). In addition, there are WAY more targets needed to take out in the US to cripple it, than there are in Russia or China (meaning our missles will be more effective). Do you think US missiles will sit in the silos? Not to mention all those subs and bombers.

2. Russia and China simply don't have the vehicles to get here with enough infantry (and stealth) to be successful with a land invasion. Couple this with an armed citizenry, and an invasion of the US is simply a logistical nightmare for any other military on the planet. Even if they could manage it initially, it would be via a VERY susceptible supply train that could easily be cut off.

Modern warfare starts with economic collapse mass civil unrest, then bio-weapons that take out a 1/3 of the population, 3-5 very high atmospheric EMP nukes. Then invasion under UN umbrella saying they are coming to help the people, but NWO on the agenda. Tactical an conventional nukes will also be on the cards. Russia and China flat out making nukes and the west slowly cutting back, then there is N.Korea Iran and a few others.
Russia and China will prob loose in the end but the USA will be a very different place.

Albert Einstein — 'I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.'

I am convinced a US civil war on the cards and mass military desertion as people disillusioned with gov and want to help their families out. That is the event that will take the US and world down. There is a lot of racial tension, 45% of US households have some kind of food stamp support - when that shuts down, not going to be pretty. My doom gloom and despair for the future if you are not prepared.

There is close to 16,000 nukes in the world. http://www.ploughshares.org/world-nuclear-stockpile-report