how to know when shtf?
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4,373 Posts
Maybe its different for everyone. For me it was August 4, 2009. I closed my business that day, had already cashed out as best I could
and now had to find a way to go from the "normal" life to one self sustained.
As for economic collapse for all; wait for the news that the dollar is no longer usable for oil on the world market.
and now had to find a way to go from the "normal" life to one self sustained.
As for economic collapse for all; wait for the news that the dollar is no longer usable for oil on the world market.
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938 Posts
It really depends on the situation. If it is a hurricane coming, you will have time to prepare. If it is an earthquake, you will receive no warning, but if you prepared in advance, you will be able to handle the aftermath much better. Riots usually are caused by events which upset certain communities - local TV news coverage can give you a warning that trouble may be brewing. Economic or financial disasters are very hard to predict, but you can monitor these by following the financial news outlets. Chemical releases are very sudden and hard to plan against, but if you live near train tracks or industrial areas you need an escape/evacuation plan. Flooding is common during major storm events, so watching weather reports can give you some warning.
You need to be aware of events happening in your local area - maintaining situational awareness (checking on your surroundings constantly) is one of the best ways to survive in an emergency.
You need to be aware of events happening in your local area - maintaining situational awareness (checking on your surroundings constantly) is one of the best ways to survive in an emergency.
Agreed, I think Natural disasters are just that a disaster. only something on a global scale would be a true SHTF, at least that's how I look at it. If the US falls I am pretty sure we are taking the rest of the world with us.
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938 Posts
I see things differently based on prior life experiences. Can you give an example of any recent massive national disruption in the U.S. other than the Civil War that ended in 1865? That would entail something equivalent to a national blackout - which to my knowledge has never happened, and given the disparate power generation sources in this country, may not even be possible?
I lived through Hurricane Andrew and the subsequent lawlessness and looting. When you have entire neighborhoods wiped off the face of the earth, that is literally SHTF, at least in my book.
Rodney King riots in Compton, California - would you consider that SHTF? Earthquakes that collapsed the freeways and bridges in San Francisco Bay Area? Watts riots in the 1960s? Riots in major cities after the Martin Luther King assassination, where entire sections of town were burned to the ground, and Federal buildings were under attack by torch-wielding mobs? Race riots in Tulsa? Does the Federalization of the National Guard qualify? The town of Joplin, Missouri or Greensburg, Kansas devastated by mile-wide tornadoes? Wildfires in the West burning multiple subdivisions to the ground? Would the 1800 people drowned in Hurricane Katrina qualify as SHTF - I'd bet if you ask people in New Orleans that question you may get a different answer?
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2,074 Posts
When the food store shelves are empty or near-empty for day after day!
But if you're a prepper you'll have enough stocked at home to tide you over for at least a week or two until the government can get food refief convoys coming into the cities, so just sit tight til then.
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4,373 Posts
I could never wait for a govt to save me. No way no how. I just don't have the trust in them. Too many strings will be attached or worse.
Store enough food until your crisps can continuously produce,
Store enough gas to get to your bug out location, and have a back up plan,
Create a BOL that sustains you, protects you, and I'd possible enables you to thrive.
Store enough food until your crisps can continuously produce,
Store enough gas to get to your bug out location, and have a back up plan,
Create a BOL that sustains you, protects you, and I'd possible enables you to thrive.
When the food store shelves are empty or near-empty for day after day!
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But if you're a prepper you'll have enough stocked at home to tide you over for at least a week or two until the government can get food refief convoys coming into the cities, so just sit tight til then.
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887 Posts
I use the saying Plan A Plan B Plan C.....Make them and those that are part of your inner group should know the plan.
I think those that have it worst off are peeps in the big cities. Almost impossible to get out and unless your in front of the herd all resources will be gone before you pass by.
I live rurally so I have a completely different set of problems. Budget prepping is not easy and it is a lot of work to set up a sustainable piece of land.
I live in a pre SHTF mindset. I live as if it has I just still get to enjoy some of the amenities of the civilized world while they are still "affordable" hyperinflation is on the way while our net take is going to go down in a big way over the next few months to years. So be prepared for the financial meltdown it will happen. Just gradual enough for most people to not notice there declining quality of life before its too late.
Affording a Bug Out location....Yeah thats easy if your a rural type. But if your a city folk best know someone that is of like mind and have a plan to connect with them if the time comes. Or plan on Bugging in. Much more difficult again if you live in the city with food storage and self defense being the huge priorities. But you should always have a Bug Out plan even if its to a local National Forest Lake area. Pre plan and bury some essential supplies and tools in an out of the way place. Off the cuff those are the best ideas I can come up with. Learn the local edible foods around your BOL. Invest in some cold weather crop seeds and regular heirloom seeds. Once SHTF National Land will hold alot less "No Trespassing" then it does today and the Forest Ranger likely wont be dropping by to check that people have paid there nightly fee when they are armed to the teeth. Or better yet use that as a launchpad to your actual BOL. Youd likely want to be within 10-20 miles of a small community so that if there is a return to some order you can obtain supplies or as things calm down you will have a place to return to. Trade etc.
Dont be the last one of town is critical to surviving a true SHTF situation where masses of people are displaced.
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938 Posts
Miho:
If you cannot afford a place to bug out to (which is understandable, most people cannot) then you need to plan to "shelter in place" where you live. That can involve prepping by stockpiling whatever supplies you can afford (water, food, medicine, hygiene, etc.) and also considering where else you can shelter in an emergency. For instance, if your county or state sets up evacuation centers or public shelters, you should include such locations in your planning.
When you do not have the private resources it is appropriate to plan to use whatever public resources there are. This could be a local emergency shelter (high school, etc.) or you could plan to make it to a state park and camp out there temporarily until things go back to normal. A decent sized tent and basic camping equipment is a good option for temporary shelter if your primary home is damaged or unsafe.
A single mom with three children could sleep in a four-man tent comfortably. You need four sleeping bags, a cooler for cold food storage, and a camp stove, if this option makes sense for you in your situation. You need to consider bad weather and cold nights in your planning (tarps to help against rain, extra blankets and clothing for warmth and comfort).
I would look into emergency shelter options in case you cannot bug out very far.
If you cannot afford a place to bug out to (which is understandable, most people cannot) then you need to plan to "shelter in place" where you live. That can involve prepping by stockpiling whatever supplies you can afford (water, food, medicine, hygiene, etc.) and also considering where else you can shelter in an emergency. For instance, if your county or state sets up evacuation centers or public shelters, you should include such locations in your planning.
When you do not have the private resources it is appropriate to plan to use whatever public resources there are. This could be a local emergency shelter (high school, etc.) or you could plan to make it to a state park and camp out there temporarily until things go back to normal. A decent sized tent and basic camping equipment is a good option for temporary shelter if your primary home is damaged or unsafe.
A single mom with three children could sleep in a four-man tent comfortably. You need four sleeping bags, a cooler for cold food storage, and a camp stove, if this option makes sense for you in your situation. You need to consider bad weather and cold nights in your planning (tarps to help against rain, extra blankets and clothing for warmth and comfort).
I would look into emergency shelter options in case you cannot bug out very far.
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161 Posts
Does anyone here think the SHTF already? Look around........ The rapid loss of freedoms, total disregard for the Constitution, rapid destruction of business and personal wealth through Executive Order and government regulations. Let's not forget the devaluation of our currency due to the Federal Reserve printing money to the tune of 85 BILLION a month, other countries trading oil in currencies other than the dollar............... Well you get the idea........... I think we can reasonably argue the SHTF already.
I have been thinking about that.i got a tent,cooler,thermos.gotta get sleeping bags but got ton of blankets and good coats.I'm prepping to bug in cos i cos i can't afford to do more.my plan.....if i have to leave I'm going to frika.that's near my place,and there's a lake there so we can eat cat fish if we have to.there's plenty of dead trees good for fire.idk if its a good plan but that's all i got so far.in my apt.... not even the guy who cuts the grass believed. me i got about half an acre for a back yard and that's not counting my front and side yard. I'm getting it ready for planting and have my own veggies.wanted chickens but was told they destroy everything .I'm thinking on having a goat for milk. I'm not an expert so I'm counting on advice to become one so any advice is always welcome and if i do it wrong i keep trying till i get it right 
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I agree, only thing missing is hyper-inflation and a run on the banks to remove cash that will be worthless for quite some time.
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2,942 Posts
True... Or you may never know because it will happen slowly like the erosion of rights. By the time that happens it will be to late for you to react.
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4,373 Posts
When our escrow closes in three or so weeks my brother and I will have joint ownership
of 5 sections of property totallying more than 3100 acres of land, interspersed between each
section is public land called "BLM" land. Its free to camp on, most of the time no one bothers
you for shooting on it, but you wouldn't have any rights to it - any more so then the next guy.
However, first come first serve. And that doesn't cost anything.
of 5 sections of property totallying more than 3100 acres of land, interspersed between each
section is public land called "BLM" land. Its free to camp on, most of the time no one bothers
you for shooting on it, but you wouldn't have any rights to it - any more so then the next guy.
However, first come first serve. And that doesn't cost anything.
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10,284 Posts
I know natural disasters are bad, I live in tornado alley. Still, help is available. Katrina was different than most disasters but most eventually got bussed to shelters. Yes, there were looting and killing but not on a major scale. The Rodney King riots were bad, no doubt about it but those business owners who defended themselves did better than those who didn't. And it was not long term. To get out of that situation, you just had to get out of the area. I lived 3 blocks from the race riots in the 60's. Main St was burning just 3 blocks from my home. That was the hood. We could have left the area and not had worry about it. We did eventually move to suburbia but that was later.
When I think of SHTF, I am looking at no near term or even long term help. The economy collapsing, a govt take over, an invasion or EMP. SHTF to me is your on your own. And when it happens, there will be no mistake.
Also I don't think the govt take over will be slow and subtle if and when it happens. I could be wrong and I do hope I am but I see them pushing a confrontation making martial law easy to invoke and that will be the end of the constitution.
When I think of SHTF, I am looking at no near term or even long term help. The economy collapsing, a govt take over, an invasion or EMP. SHTF to me is your on your own. And when it happens, there will be no mistake.
Also I don't think the govt take over will be slow and subtle if and when it happens. I could be wrong and I do hope I am but I see them pushing a confrontation making martial law easy to invoke and that will be the end of the constitution.
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511 Posts
read about katrina. the superdome was like a consentration camp. no food, water, or medicine or protection from the other refugees. might be a bad idea to use govt. help for part of the plan could end up in worse shape
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