Fear we are returning to a time in history where it is a common occurrence to fight for one's life?

"There are going to be situations where people are going to go without assistance.  That's just the facts of life."  - Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates

So, you are a successful trader, speculator, investor, money manager, and is typical, have little patience.  Something has been bothering you.  You have been reading Zero Hedge long enough that you are now absolutely convinced that TEOTWAWKI is indeed nigh, and it could well be quite violent.  You have also decided that you want to do something to prepare, beyond getting short the equity markets and going long gold and silver coins, but you do not know what to do, exactly.  The HELP function on your Bloomberg terminal is, unsurprisingly, not helpful.  A quick review of the government and Red Cross emergency preparedness websites tells you nothing about guns.  This is problematic, as you fear that we all might be returning to a time in history where it is a common occurrence to fight for one's life, and you know that we usually do that in today's day and age with guns, or a knife close in. 

What to do?

Well, you could read several books such as The Long Emergency, Reinventing Collapse, One Second After, Alas Babylon, Patriots, and Lucifer's Hammer to gain an understanding of what some recent authors believe TEOTWAWKI might look like, and then try to formulate a plan on your own.  You could also read countless blog posts on www.ar15.com/forums/b/10_Outdoors.html, www.survivalblog.com, or www.zombiehunters.org to see what other people with alleged or unknown expertise are doing to prepare for if/when TSHTF.  I understand there is now a television show called Doomsday Preppers that you could watch.  Not surprisingly, you can even hire professional consultants to help you prepare for the possibility of a coming apocalypse.

Alternatively, allow me to provide to you absolutely free of charge and in just one brief Zero Hedge article, A Guide for Those with Much Money and Very Little Patience Whom Want to Prepare for Zombie Apocalypse But Are Afraid to Google It For Fear of DHS Labeling Them A Terrorist.  There are some unique aspects to this Guide.  First, because it is for Those with Much Money, it assumes you can afford to drop as much as $25,000 and thus save much time by not trying to do things on the cheap.  Second, because it is for Those with...Very Little Patience, it makes no attempt to explain the rationale behind each recommendation.  One can complete the entire Guide within a couple of months, thus allowing you to put this fear out of your mind and move on to much more productive worries, except for fitness.  Regular exercise should really become a habit for the duration of your life. 

Item 1

Learn that the first rule of preparing for TEOTWAWKI is you do not talk about preparing for TEOTWAWKI.  Tell nobody.  Do, however, make up some lame excuses in advance for when some friend questions you about your actions and purchases.  Say that you are getting ready to visit your rich and crazy uncle whom is a gun nut living in Alaskan bear country, or your friend in Detroit wants you to house sit.  Just do not tell anyone what your plans or preparations are, or even that you have plans or preparations.

Item 2

Develop a basic mindset.  Here are some ideas.  Commit to prepare for zombies, so that currency collapse, EMP, hurricanes, revolution, world war, or anything else will seem relatively mild.  Understand that the time to make a plan and prepare is before, not after a zombie invasion.  Understand that there is no way you can plan or prepare for every contingency, but doing something today goes a long way to peace of mind, and eliminating any regrets should the shit actually hit the fan.  Realize that everything is likely to cost more next year, if you can get it, so better to buy it now.  Acknowledge that nobody really knows if, what, when, or how anything in the future is going to happen...it is all just speculation.  Finally, always remember that, "on a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero," so don't get too worked up, or go into debt, just because of this little exercise in paranoia.

Item 3

Stick to the plan.  Because you have very little patience, this Guide is not going to be concerned about detailed questions or nuances such as, 1) if you intend to leave or stay at home in case of TEOTWAWKI (also known as Bug In or Bug Out); 2) if you work far from or close to home; 3) if you live or work in an urban or rural area; 4) if you are a 30 years-old ex-marine, or a 55 years-old female florist; or 5) if you expect the zombie infestation to last 48 hours, 5 days, 12 months, or permanently. 

This is a One-Guide-Fits-All (as long as you have the money) and accordingly all the actions and items have been designed and actually tested in real life (by those trained and certified in such things) to work with all the other items and actions in the Guide.  Customize it at your own peril.

Item 4

Get yourself in shape so you can run for your life.  Go running, no matter how slowly, five times per week.  Work yourself up to 30-minutes during the week, and then a longer run on the weekends.  After each run, do three sets of as many push-ups as you can do.  When you go see your doctor to ask for permission to get healthy, ask her to find some way to get you off any drugs you currently require to survive, and to please write you a post-apocalyptic "ditch medicine" prescription for a broad spectrum open wound MRSA antibiotic like Bactrim DS (or something else if you have a sulfa allergy).

Item 5

Purchase the items on the following shopping list to outfit your person with a Get Back Home (GBH) pack (aka Evacuation Pack, aka Bug Out Bag, aka Assault Pack, aka 3 Day Pack, aka Survival Pack).  It includes a First Aid Kit (aka FAK) and a set of clothing so you will not be forced to evacuate the city in your loafers, heels, wool suit, or dress (Read One Second After).  This pack can reside in the trunk of your car if you are a commuter or in the hall closet if you live and work in a city. 

Included on the list is an advanced, easy to use, compact, and highly reliable personal-defense weapon system that is made by FN Herstal, currently the largest arms manufacturer for the U.S. military.  The FN FiveseveN pistol (get the model with tritium night sights installed) and PS90 rifle (Tri-Rail model) each fire the same 5.7 x 28 ammunition, which, along with these two weapons, is extremely light to carry.  These weapons' standard magazines hold 20 and 50 rounds, respectively.  Unlike many old-school firearms, these are actually fun to learn to operate, because they are so light, yet still have no felt recoil (aka kick).  A Zeiss Z-Point optic (rifle sight), Urban ERT sling, TLR-1 weapon light, kydex pistol holster, magazine carriers, and spare magazines are all crucial components that cannot be excluded. 

With the push of a single button the PS90 easily disassembles into two parts that fit in the bag; because there is no gas system it is also very easy to clean.  The two extra rifle magazine pouches, concealed under a shirt and bandana, are accessible while wearing the pack.  The lower exterior pocket contains the FAK.  The rain cover keeps things dry and looking less military.

Not if, but when someone advises you to buy an AR style rifle and a Glock pistol, first ask yourself why you have broken the first rule for preparing for TEOTWAWKI, then put an extra 5-7 pounds of lead in your pack to represent the weight difference (including ammo) and go for a 15-mile hike while you try to remember Item 3 from above. 

If you live in California where you are restricted to 10 round magazines, then maybe you should move.  If you live in Illinois, NYC, or DC, then you should definitely move.  If you live on Airstrip One (formerly Britain) where essentially only shotguns may be owned then adjust accordingly.  If you live in Switzerland you probably already know how to shoot and have excellent equipment.  Everyone should know and abide by their local gun laws, no matter how Draconian, illogical, and unconstitutional they may be.  These laws are for your protection/sarc. 

Total cost for this life insurance policy is less than $10,000, much of it in "uncivilized" traveling money.

location, item, qty, description, cost    

c=Carry / i= In Pack / o=On Pack       

• o,Belt,1,Webbing riggers belt,$8.00
• o,Pants,1,NorthFace Horizon Falls Convertible Nylon Pants (summer),$50.00
• o,Shirt,1,Vented Nylon Long Sleeve Shirt (summer),$25.00
• o,Shoes,1,Merrell Moab Ventilator low-top (summer),$85.00
• o,Socks,1,Wrightsock CoolMesh II,$11.00
• o,Undershirt,1,UnderArmor (Summer) / Patagonia (Winter),$20.00
• o,Underwear,1,UnderArmor (Summer) / Patagonia (Winter),$20.00
• ,Backpack,1,Maxpedition Falcon II w/ 3 liter H2O bladder,$130.00
• o,Pack Leash,1,Pre-tied 20' 550 para cord leashed to top of pack w/ biner,$10.00
• i,Dry Bags,2,Sea to Summit lightweight dry sack (2 liter),$24.00
• o,Bag cover,1,Mountain Hardware Backpack Cover,$35.00
• o,Jacket,1,Waterproof jacket w/ hood (tan or sage),$100.00
• i,Underwear,1,Spare UnderArmor - Black (in dry bag),$20.00
• i,Socks,3,Spare socks - Wrightsock CoolMesh II (in dry bag),$33.00
• o,Poncho,1,Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Tarp-Poncho (Gray),$85.00
• o,Hat,1,Tilley and/or wool beenie (seasonal),$25.00
• o,Bandana,1,Khaki ,$5.00
• o,Gloves,1,Work gloves w/ leather palm,$15.00
• i,Water Filter,1,Katadyn Pocket water filter,$300.00
• i,Water Purification Tablets,1,Katadyn Micropur tablets,$13.95
• i,Energy bars,12,Power Bars -Energy,$4.00
• i,Food,2,Datrex 3600 Calorie Emergency Food Pouch,$14.00
• i,Dried fruit,8,Dehydrated Figs,$8.00
• i,Electrolytes,6,PowerBar Gel ,$6.00
• i,Lighter/Matches,2,Bic/water proof matches,$2.00
• i,Toilet Paper,1,Backpaking style-no tube,$2.00
• c,Knife,1,Benchmade 760 LFTi,$200.00
• i,Multi Tool,1,Leatherman Skeletool,$40.00
• o,Flashlight,1,Streamlight MicroStream w/ extra AA battery,$15.00
• i,Gorilla Tape,1,Small 1-inch roll wrapped in wax paper,$3.95
• o,Zip Ties,6,"14"" black heavy duty zip ties",$2.34
• o,Tubing,1,6' surgical tubing (emergency tourniquet/syphon),$6.00
• i,Mirror,1,Metal unbreakable survival mirror,$7.00
• i,Sewing kit,1,"Heavy nylon thread, needles, seem tape, buttons",$4.00
• i,Wet stone,1,Smith's Pocket Pal,$9.00
• i,Hack Saw,1,"Mini Hack Saw w/ 6"" blades (master key for bike lock)",$9.50
• i,Patch kit,1,Tube patch kit w/ CO2 airfill,$3.00
• i,Towel,1,Lightload backpacking towel,$2.00
• c,Watch,1,Casio Pathfinder solar,$150.00
• i,Maps,1,Laminated state map(s),$2.00
• i,Compass,1,Suunto MC-2 Global,$56.35
• i,Paper,1,Rite-In-The-Rain all weather notebook-small,$5.00
• o,Marking pen,1,Sharpie,$0.50
• c/i,Sidearm,1,"FN FiveseveN pistol w/ tritium sights, 4 mags (keep 2 in pack)","$1,000.00 "
• c ,Holster,1,Kydex FBI cant on paddle,$65.00
• c,Mag carrier-pistol,2,Kydex on paddles ,$30.00
• o,Mag carrier-rifle,2,Tactical Tailor molle to attach on pack,$25.00
• i,Rifle,1,"PS90 w/ Zeiss Z-Point, Urban ERT sling, TLR-1 light, 4 mags","$2,000.00 "
• i/o,Ammo,250,FN 5.7 x 28 (100 in PS 90Mags + 3 x 50 boxes),$112.50
• i,Cleaning kit,1,"Rod, ends, brush, patches, lubricant, 3mm hex wrench",$15.00
• i,Earplugs,3,Small foam w/ string,$1.50
• i,Monocular,1,Zeiss MiniQuick 5x10 T,$139.00
• i,Extra Rx Glasses,1,RX sunglasses w/ keeper,$50.00
• i,N95 masks,2,Floor mask w/ eye shield,$0.50
• i,Nitrile gloves,2,Latex examination gloves (pr),$0.20
• i,Sunscreen/Chafe Balm,1,Dermatone,$3.00
• i,Trauma Pack,1,BoTach Tactical Tac-Pack Battle Pack Option #2,$120.00
• i,Celox,1,CELOX-A Hemostat syringe,$23.00
• i,Sutures,2,4-0 Monofilament w/ curved needle,$30.00
• i,Betadine scrub,1,B-D Easy Scrub Brush,$1.00
• i,Betadine swabs,4,Foil packed single betadine swabs,$2.00
• i,Gauze roll,2,Israeli battle dressing,$4.00
• i,4x4s,8,Sterile 4x4 gauze pads,$0.40
• i,Coban,2,"2"" roll (tan)",$7.00
• i,Rx ABX,60,Bactrim DS (CDC open trauma dosage is 1 po 3x day x 10 days),$60.00
• i,Rx ABX ointment,1,Bactroban (Mupirocin) ointment,$18.00
• i,Fever/Pain medicine,6,Excedrin travel packets-Extra Strength,$4.02
• i,Mole Skin,1,2 inch roll,$5.00
• i,Alcohol prep,10,Alcohol prep pads,$1.00
• i,Benzoin,10,Tincture of Benzoin ampulet,$5.00
• i,Passport / DL / CHL,1,Copies of ID, $                -  
• i,Important numbers,1,Laminated list of emergency contacts, $                -  
• i,Cash,5,USD/CAD/MXN,"$1,250.00 "
• i,Coins,20,0.1 ounce barbaric relics,"$3,400.00 "

In general, when given a choice, always choose the lighter weight and/or more expensive option.  Lighter weight is fast.  Lighter weight uses much less energy.

Item 6

Purchase the items on the following shopping list to outfit your home.

·         5,000 rounds ammo for training; $2,500.

·         Purchase and install Door Jamb Armor and dead bolts on all your exterior doors; $1,000 for 4 doors.

·         A bullet proof vest; $500.

·         Install a professional alarm system, or better if you live in the country get a big dog and have you both protection trained; $50/month.

·         12 months of food storage (2,400 cal/day) with > 20 year shelf life ;$4,500.

·         If you have well water get a SimplePump.  If you rely on city/municipal water, and there is not a swimming pool in your backyard, then get at least one waterbed; $1,000.

·         A hand-crank emergency radio and a couple of hand-crank flashlights; $50.

·         Purchase and store several cases of liquor; $500.

·         If it gets cold where you live, then purchase

o   A mummy style sleeping bag like a Wiggies; $250.

o   At least one set of heavy wool pants and wool parka, such as Columbia's Gallatin Range ; $350.

o   A pair of warm boots, wool socks, warm gloves, and a wool hat; $350.

o   Two sets of Patagonia long underwear; $120.

Item 7

Complete the following courses in this order:

1.       One half-day tactical folding knife class; $150.

2.       2-3 weekends of Tactical Pistol Courses; $1,000.

3.       2-3 weekends of Tactical Rifle Courses; $1,000.

4.       One day of Self and Family Emergency Medical Aid/Trauma Kit Course; $150.

5.       A series of several two-hour self-defense classes (not martial arts classes); $200.

6.       Fulfillment of requirements for concealed handgun permit; $250.

You should learn in these classes how to safely conduct dry-fire training with your firearms and a dummy knife.  Do this on a regular basis, such as once per week for at least 5 minutes.

Item 8

Gain, store, and maintain the knowledge, skills, and special equipment that would enable you to do at least one third-world job.  If you are a dentist, doctor, farmer, cowboy, mechanic, miner, fisherman, lumberman, mason, blacksmith, whore house piano player, plumber, butcher, or similar, then you are already set.  If you are a derivatives trader, banker, realtor, healthcare administrator, politician, actuarial, benefits coordinator, DMV clerk, compliance officer, or similar, then get cracking.

In Conclusion

Truly, it does not matter how good my reasons are for each suggestion, or how qualified I am to make these recommendations, because I can absolutely guarantee an endless number of critics on the internet, at REI, or at your local gun store advising you of just the opposite of what I have said, on each and every point, and claiming far greater expertise on these matters.  It is even likely some will respond critically to this post here on ZH in the comments below.  However, I believe that an average plan that is well implemented is usually better than a great plan that is never implemented. 

Now, it is on you.  Follow this Guide and if the shit hits the fan then you are likely to be far better off than most people will.  The best part, however, is the hedge on this zero hedge investment.  Even if TEOTWAWKI does not occur, but your course instructors have at least average ability, then after completing this Guide you will no longer be a sheep, but rather a sheep dog.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.  Everyone else is.

Comments

[jonan]

probably because i borrowed it from him in 08 when we elected another fascist and i somehow, thank the f'in lord, realized it...

[De minimus]

Have you been paying attention?

I don't know where you're at but he did an excellent presentation. Don't agree it's needed? Just say thanks and move on instead of ridiculing someone for doing you a favor.

PS. You might also do yourself a favor and save the page. Then again, somebody will save you won't they?

[RingToneDeaf]

No, that one is clueless. Will come knocking at your door begging, tough work to drag the body away but one must be prepared, Ha!

[the tower]

What everybody seems to forget is that we have the means to feed ourselves, money or no money.

In case of a collapse of our economic system we will continue to live and plan/work on restructuring.

What is it with Americans that they always think the sky will fall down?

[jonan]

units of account make division of labor possible, too bad berdevil wants to burn those fiat units to ashes...at least with gold you'll still have something of value after the fire dies down...

[DosZap]

What is it with Americans that they always think the sky will fall down?

They don't, WE just believe that in CASE,we aren't the SHEEP.

In case of a collapse of our economic system we will continue to live and plan/work on restructuring.

Dude, you have not been reading enough,there are folks mainly the PTB that are trying to ensure you cannot do that.And I might add, are covering tons of bases.

[the tower]

Sorry to break your bubble, the TPTB are very diverse, and all have different thoughts. There's no plan, I can assure you that.

Life will go on, probably better.

[xxxxx]

I read the whole list, and he forgot to pack his tinfoil hat.

[LFMayor]

See you at the Human Race,  dickhead.  Run what you brung.

[De minimus]

Have you been paying attention?

I don't know where you're at but he did an excellent presentation. Don't agree it's needed? Just say thanks and move on instead of ridiculing someone for doing you a favor.

[ButIfNot]

I have no money, but I already have much of this stuff -- as do most of my neighbors.  Between camping, ice fishing, and hunting, I have acquired most of this gear over several years along with most of the skills you list.  Probably the greatest problem we would have here in the event of a long, drawn out zombie apocolypse is that everyone turning to subsistence at once would probably decimate our fish and deer populations.  Of course, the ones with the most practice will be best off in those circumstances.  Fortunately, we have been practicing raising a large family on very limited income for quite some time -- so we'd probably fare better than most.  If you are used to being wealthy, TEOTWAWKI is going to really suck.

[Hobbleknee]

"everyone turning to subsistence at once would probably decimate our fish and deer populations"

I think most people would starve to death, leaving more game for the survivors.

[LFMayor]

Ever read about the seige of Leningrad in WW2?

Wendigo Meats LLC. 

I'll let you all know when the IPO stands up, Bitches.  And in R&D will be Lunatic Fringe brand Soaps and Candles, with pleasing, aromatic scents that you'll simply love.

For bait, I plan on heating a can of Dinty Moore beef stew downwind about a mile from the main road.  That should bring em right to me.

[Nobody For President]

Except the folks that actually live out where the fish and game are already have the tools and skills to take them, and if the local store closes, the *really* local store opens right away, and I can see my local deer that live in and around my 40 disappearing really quickly; and the racoons, porkupines, wild pigs, local cattle (few) and all the rest. There is probably only marginally enough wildlife to feed the rural population in most of the country, though there are exceptions if you are really way, way, way out there (and probably not on this list).

[AnAnonymous]

Because you think that in case of societal collapse, US citizens will hunt or fish the traditional ways, with a fishing rod, a hunting rifle and the rest?

If ever, the pressure returning directly to the immediate surroundings of US citizen nations will drive in back the large scale methods used and forcefully introduced by US citizens in other countries.

[Fix It Again Timmy]

"An armed society is a polite society.  Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." 

  -Robert Heinlein

There is some truth to this.  Having been in Vietnam and an infantry man [drafted, I would never volunteer for that kind of thing], I realized that everyone, being armed to the teeth, was rather civil.  The reason being, that given the opportunity, it would have been very easy for someone with an axe to grind, to take you out and send you home in a body bag, with no questions asked. - thus, the civility...

[Red Heeler]

Nicely done, HH.

[Dreadker]

Nice advice.... but for all you people that have barely held a gun, let alone had to use one in anger... Get FUCKING TRAINING!

I saw some dick sweeping everyone on the range with a LOADED SHOTGUN last weekend... Needless to say the range officer and a few of us had some choice words for him... then pointed him to a training facility...

GUNS AREN'T DANGEROUS!  THE PERSON HOLDING IT IS!

And that goes for any gear you get.... its fucking useless if you've never used it, trained with it for real... Learn to make a fire, then go make a fire etc... don't buy a book/manual, read up then think you're set for TEOTWAWKI... You will die if you have never used a life saving skill you learnt...

And for a better idea of what to expect check out Fernando Ferfal's work and you-tube vids... he's lived through the argentinian collapse and has a lot of good advice and ideas etc.

[F. Bastiat]

For the rifle, forget the PS90 and go with an AR-15 or derivative. Reasons include: readily available ammo, readily available spare parts, proven ACOG optics, variety of useful weights, lengths, configurations. Proven performance and accuracy when properly lubed and maintained.  ACOG optics are a potent force multiplier, as is tracer ammo in urban environments.  AR-15s hold their monetary value pretty well, too - 1.5 ounces of AU should be about equivalent to an genuine ACOG scoped AR. A mag coupler, to hold two 30 round magpul PMAG magizines, is also useful.

[10mm]

Urban enviorment,get an AK.Lube if any minimal,no Q Tips needed.Red Dot it if you want.Drum Mag it if you want.

[F. Bastiat]

.

[crawldaddy]

ok after a week of everyone running outside and down the street playing Rambo, then what?   This shit is silly.

IS it good to plan for disasters? sure within reason, extra food, water, some home protection perhaps. but really, survivalist have a hard time surviving more than a few weeks in the woods, what chance do regular people. And besides why would you leave your home?  where you going?  Please, MOST humans already live in third world like conditions, and they arent playing fucking rambo for a week.  

Go look at Iraq over these last 10 years, that is what a collapsed country looks like.  No zombies.

[hannah]

@crawldaddy ....when you are in iraq, do you walk around at night without a firearm? let the kids run around the block playing ? roadside bombs...right i see those all the time while jogging in the states! when american collapses to the level of iraq, i think we can call that the end of the world......

[MayIMommaDogFac...]

Go look at Iraq over these last 10 years, that i what a collapsed country looks like. No zombies.

No methamphetamines either...Just sayin'.

[the tower]

+ 1000

[GoldenTool]

I want to be a whore house piano player is there a school for this..?

[Red Heeler]

Better get cracking now. When the time comes competition will be stiff.

[Transformer]

I'm already working in this field.  I can tell you, it is hard to get a job.  Expect to do a lot of non-musical tasks, like vacuuming, laundry, yard work, and other menial tasks.  You will be lucky to spend 2-3 hours a day actually playing.  Good benefits, though.

[annapaxis]

This is a nice list of things to have if there is some sort of localized SHTF event (nuclear blast, bioterror quarantine, military invasion, etc.) but it has significant gaps ... it represents the atomized "army of one" approach, which has some real strengths, but just as real weaknesses. I like to think of TEOTWAWKI preparedness as creating systems whereby one can sustain life for years if necessary without working in a cash economy, or in the midst of a social and economic collapse. 

Basically I try to think more like a peasant farmer/homesteader and less like a Special Forces soldier (though I have all that stuff too.) So, my additions to this list might include: a photvoltaic electrical system, a rainwater catchment system, sanitation and greywater filtering, provisions for heat and light, food resources that are renewable (livestock, perennial food crops), machines that can clear land and cultivate crops (tractors), machines that can provide emergency power (gas or diesel-powered generators) plus enough fuel to run them, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and so on. You also want a companion who is game and fit, and good relations with your neighbors (it gets lonely out in the woods.) Of all the items on your list, I see #8 as most important. The roving hordes of displaced urbanites can (try to) take your stuff, but they can't take what's in your head. 

Good article. 

[AnAnonymous]

Of all the items on your list, I see #8 as most important. The roving hordes of displaced urbanites can (try to) take your stuff, but they can't take what's in your head.

___________________________________________

8 is an illusion. Being a mechanic in a third world country is different from being one in a first world society.

A half serious person about the topic would acknowledge standardization of work and the appropriated structuration going with it.

Same for physician, dentist, the same. If there is a societal collapse as some US citizens predict, most of these US citizen professionals will be out of their usual work context and wont be able to perform their job.

But they might con the others claiming their skills are adapted to the practice in a very different environment.

[Nobody For President]

Me too. I've been long on *community* self-sufficeincy for a long time. The fuel storage (gas) is problamatic if TSHTF, especiallyl in the boonies where local (gas station) storage would disappear really quickly. Even local storage with fuel stabilizers would go faster than you think - generators (which I have) and tractors (which I don't) would eat it up in a season, at most.) For me, that means solar and wood. The rest of your remarks are right on.

[annapaxis]

Totally right about fuel storage. That's a big deal, for sure. Luckily we have a whole assortment of horse-drawn equipment and tack: mowers, plows, carriages, etc., though we are short on horses at the moment, just have the one lonely donkey. We should have a couple just in case, they're not too high right now. And yeah, we've got plenty of wood resources, and a stove, but we need to do more work on that. Absent gas for tractors and chainsaws, we could go back to axes and mechanical mowers for energy and land-clearing if we had to, but damn, internal combustion sure makes all of that easier. 

That's another aspect of the long-term mindset: layers upon layers upon layers of backup. Solar panels get knocked out by a hailstorm? We have extra. Those get knocked out? Generator. Generator dies? Back to the wood stove. Barn burns down with the stove inside? Fire pit. And so on. Though I'd rather not go back to the Neolithic, it could be done, but it's a long long process of working out all the contingencies. 

[I only kill chi...]

Propane, unlimited storage life. Vehicle conversions available. Although one would need a filler "pump" to fill smaller vehicle bottles from the 1000 gallon underground tank.

[Paul Atreides]

Thanks HH great article! just like to add something here for urban and city dwellers:

ALWAYS keep your vehicles gas tank FULL and store additional fuel at home (I store 80 gallons with fuel stabilizer). If you need to get the fuck out of dodge IE 1000 miles away from where you are in less then 12 hours this will be a lifesaver. Prepped and ready to bug in is good but if you are in a city or urban area you should be ready to leave. Cities and urban areas are deathtraps as there is only 3 days of water and food in the pipes and stores. Also have a plan B and C find family or a close friend who lives in the country so when shit turns really ugly you can head there. It will cost you $300 or less for containers, fuel and addivitives.

P.S. as a Canadian I AM NEVER EVER more then 50 feet from my hand axe. Add one to your prep it is the great wilderness equalizer.

[Nobody For President]

Yeah, a small hand axe good for the city folk kit, or a 'roofing axe' - axe on one end, hammer on the other, or just a good, small single bit. Living in the woods a long way from urban, I've got several double bit, several single bit, and several pulaskis within 150 feet in the tool room in the metal shop attached to the garage. Also a good crosscut saw. Good tools that don't need gas are always a good idea...

PS. Keep 'em sharp.

[Squealgies]

By virtue of geography, the hedgies will easily draw the line in the sand in Southampton/Hampton Bays. Gardiner's Island, here I come! Thanks for the well thought out piece!

[Hobbleknee]

"When you go see your doctor to ask for permission to get healthy."

LOL

[chunga]

Doc will say no and give a staph infection instead.

[tekhneek]

Maybe it's better to learn how to grow food and live off the land and GTFO out of dodge rather than spend $50,000 on shit that will just get stolen from you if you get shot in your sleep.

[Sabibaby]

How are you going to grow food when you're getting out of dodge? Have you ever grown anything before?

[LFMayor]

This.

where the hell are you planning to run to?  My place, and eat my vegetable garden?  Thanks for the donations, I'll put the shit you carried with you in my "Rawlsean good deeds and charities locker". 

Bunkering in a "prepped" neighborhood is probably the ideal, if you're not in an area where this is feasible then please make efforts to find and re-locate to one.

for an animated depection, please watch the South Park episode where the homeless invade SP.  Funny, but true.  Once you're walking, you're first among all things just another shambling threat.

[Seer]

Invest in a good dog.

I've also got "guard" Guineas (Guinea Fowl).  Can't make a move without them alerting you.

[Jason_1sandal]

I live rurally. My neighbors that live next door (600 feet away) have peacocks. If I open my front door they go off. I have two dogs also.....

[DosZap]

Invest in a good dog.

Great advice,just one problem, it will be the first thing killed.Also, 99% of dogs, any breed will give up, if sprayed with just hairspray( great alarms though)..........

IF you are serious, prepare for some BIG bucks and get a Pre Trained K9.................they are relentless.

The Guinea, is dead on, the ultimate alarm system(only prob in the city, they are not  allowed as they never shut up,until dark thirty.

[Hobbleknee]

Do they have ipads there?

[e_goldstein]

I have gold and silversmithing skills. I wonder what I'm going to end up doing...

[Umh]

Fixing shit that breaks. Brazing will be in demand if things stay bad long enough.

[Seer]

10 to 20

[e_goldstein]

(snicker)

[Socratic Dog]

Classic.  + 10-20.