I just thought I'd share
some notes on my efforts. In the suburban setting I currently live
in, I feel that my biggest day-to-day threat would be from a major
earthquake hitting nearby.
I would view this as a short-term emergency (2 weeks, perhaps) with
somewhat localized impact. While there could be mass looting and rioting,
I don't feel it's that likely in my particular neighborhood, although
I do maintain a stock of arms, a bullhorn, spotlight, extra batteries,
etc.
My current target is to have a 1-month supply of food items, with a
mix of ready-to-eat canned foods and bulk rice and beans. I have purchased
three 20 pound propane tanks for the barbeque, and an adapter hose
so that I can run my small coleman stove off them, in addition to stocking
extra
1 pound cylinders for camping. I also purchased a 6 gallon turkey fryer
set. I'm already into camping and Ham radio, so I'm mostly covered
on shelter and communications.
My plan for an earthquake or other natural disaster is to help myself,
then my elderly immediate neighbors, collaborate with a couple of other
neighbors and possibly set up to distribute meals to the surrounding
survivors.
The turkey cooker, with rice, beans and assorted canned goods to throw
in could allow me to supply several daily "gumbo" type hot
meals to 20+ people. I think by design it would use gas more efficiently
than trying to cook on the barbeque.
I consume mostly fresh foods, so my plan is to every one to two years
simply give my canned stuff to the food bank or Boy Scout canned food
drive
and buy more.
All of this, (with the exception of guns, ham radio gear and other
valuables) together with approximately 70 gallons of water, is housed
outside in a shed, which should offer some protection from my house
falling on it and spoiling or making it inaccessible. [Note
from JWR: Make
sure that your shed stays cool. Heat kills
the nutritive value of canned food quickly!]
Some quick notes on "store bought" preparations:
- A case of Top Ramen just fits inside a 5 gallon bucket
- A 25 pound sack of rice from the asian store fits with a little room
left over.
- The medium-size Rubbermaid bins can hold a flat of bottled water,
plus about 2/3 lighter stuff on top (gotta be able to lift it).
- Get some #10 cans, even if you don't think you'll use them. A Hobo
stove constructed from one will allow you to cook over salvaged bits
of wood and wreckage. Make sure to have a hacksaw, pliers and can opener
on hand [to make a hobo stove.]
- If you stock bleach for disinfecting water, take a Sharpie marker
and write the formula (drops per gallon, teaspoons per 5 gallons, etc.)
on
the bottle. This way, there will be no question when you need it.
I'm sure there are things that I'm missing, but at least it's a start.
- John in California