Are you really ready for a long term Bug Out Situation?

I really like ready (and learning) from this site. Plus its just good entertainment and keeps my brain firing.
But I go have a question. Are you ready to set up a long term survival camp?
Some of the issues Ive researched and studies concern the basic necessities such as shelter and Sanitation. Researching the past (great depression) and current events in Africa and the like there a few things which are always the same and we need to consider. Food, clean Water, Shelter and Sanitiation.
The best tent I have ( a four season from REI) will last maybe a year under constant use (maybe two)
Most pump filters go to 2 microns (not enough to remove viruses)
You will run out of places to dig "cat" holes so a out house becomes very important
Place to bathe without messing up your water source.
If everyone heads to the hills the huntable game will be gone very Soon (just like the great depression). Youll have to build solid weather tight structures; cage animals and grow crops of some type. Boiling water takes care of purification (not including industrial waste)
If your stuck in an Urban environment the same applies (except shelter) but you will have other issues.

Am I way out there in the Twilight Zone or are we overlooking the obvious of a difficult situation?
I'm seriously looking at the retreat mentality (small but established) way off the beaten path?
Any other input???

no but do you know if you can vacuum seal can foods? metal can's and saltwater does not get along very well. I tried looking it up with no luck.

reply to post by CSBowie


I thought it was Bug-in for a while THEN bug-out.
no?

reply to post by SkipperJohn


I'm not a food expert. But in theory you can transfer anything into glass canning jars and reseal them in boiling water. All your doing is re-sterilizing the contents. Lot of work but should work just fine, might even extend the shelf life.

reply to post by CSBowie


Nope, I can't use glass. Glass and boats = a big mess. I am still finding peaces from a wine glass my wife brought onboard. I can only seem to find them with my feet.

reply to post by Gwampo


It is, but eventually you have to stop and set up shop....right?

Like I said I may be out in space on this one. But its hard to run forever. Even, when I was in the military those ruck humps got old. Or maybe I'm just getting old...LOL

reply to post by SkipperJohn


Understand, better. what about putting them in airtight containers with dehumidifying canisters? Also sonverting some to freeze dried rations like mountain house.

reply to post by SkipperJohn


Ever thought of a Waterproof case for your cans?

www.meijer.com...

reply to post by CSBowie


I think it is pretty safe to say that once the petroleum based economy has ended humans will die. Its our time and we shouldn't pretend we will not be extinct.

reply to post by RightWingAvenger


Wow! I hope not I just learned to tie my own flies!!! LOL And I just bought a new chainsaw and there tough to use without gas!...I will miss my old truck....

reply to post by Hellas


This just might work. maybe put some absorbers in with it.

Thanks!

No. I just plan on pillaging from the people who are!

reply to post by CSBowie


I was until we had a house fire last summer, lost everything. So, no I/we are not prepared, BUT one of the most important survival skills will be the ability to think clearly and fast on your feet when the unexpected happens.

As any real survivalist knows, you can have everything taken from you or lose it, but the strongest survival tool you will still have will be your intuition and your mind.

Sure. It'll be a bit of hard work, at least at first...

The key is knowledge, and a bit of practice. Building a weather proof shelter, so as not to have to depend upon that tent, is a bit of work, but not all that difficult. Certainly if this city boy can learn how to do it, any one can...and I can do it. It won't be Better Home and Gardens, but it'll be warm, and dry.

Canning isn't hard at all, it can be a bit uncomfortable during the summer months, what with the steam and hot water...but it isn't that hard to learn. Most cities, and counties have extension offices that have all the info you could ever need.

Setting yourself up for a long term bug out, or relocation isn't as difficult as it may sound, with a little prep, and a little know how... The same sort of know how our parents and grand parents had. Using our own hands, and the brain to guide them.

If you can plant, can, and store, you're way ahead of the game. If you can fish, even better. Hunting would be frosting on the cake...nice, but not absolutely necessary, IMHO... Fishing, with the proper techniques is easier, and safer...

I've recently been interested in canning but Im absolutely clueless. Would anyone care, for The sake of the discussion to add a list of what to buy or their method and how to?

Let's say we have our plants growing food, now it's time to save some and store it.
What's the best method or the method that you currently use?
I'm just asking. Sure I could search but that's a bit antisocial.

reply to post by LightWarrior11


First off, of course, you need veggies/fruit to can.

For high acid foods, you can use a water bath, which is what your gramma, or mom might have used... Recipes vary. I would suggest contacting a local homemakers group, or your county extension offices.

Low acid foods require, for safety's sake, a pressure cooker. Again recipes will vary for veggies and fruits...

Freshest is best.

It does take a bit of practice to get it right...

reply to post by SkipperJohn


Yes you can bag/vacuum seal cans, but eventually the rolling of the sea may put mini holes in the bags.
Some protection is better than none if it is secondary protection anyway.
What about wax sealing cans btw?
Just like a wheel of cheese, roll em into wax?

reply to post by VonDoomen


I've got a buddy who says the same.
I asked him, how many others will be trying the same?
Now you are fighting the haves and the have nots, how long do you usually win betting it all on the craps table?
mmmmhm, house wins.

I wouldn't worrie to much about hunting. A lot of people think it consists of setting in a tree and a trophy walks in front after 15 minutes. The camra man will interview them afterwards... While I do agree many will attempt, many will fail. They don't understand how much time and effort it takes to actually hunt an animal. Unless they are over populated or are un afraid of humans, animals are hard to kill.

The second reason I wouldn't worrie to much about it, is that the first paragraph is just trying to kill it... That's not cleaning, processing and cooking.

If it were to occur, I think most of it would happen on the coasts and around major metropolitan areas. In the rural areas, there are a lot of farmers and ranchers that will probably continue to raise and sell cattle and crops. You may just have to go to a CO-OP or to them personally to buy it instead of a store.

Originally posted by JJTHEFETT
I wouldn't worrie to much about hunting. A lot of people think it consists of setting in a tree and a trophy walks in front after 15 minutes. The camra man will interview them afterwards... While I do agree many will attempt, many will fail. They don't understand how much time and effort it takes to actually hunt an animal. Unless they are over populated or are un afraid of humans, animals are hard to kill.

The second reason I wouldn't worrie to much about it, is that the first paragraph is just trying to kill it... That's not cleaning, processing and cooking.

If it were to occur, I think most of it would happen on the coasts and around major metropolitan areas. In the rural areas, there are a lot of farmers and ranchers that will probably continue to raise and sell cattle and crops. You may just have to go to a CO-OP or to them personally to buy it instead of a store.

If SHTF people would form tribes again, eventually. All it takes is 1 experienced hunter to teach everyone in that group how to hunt, clean, store, ect show others what plants are good for picking and which insects are the best tasting. Who's going to hunt all alone if SHTF anyway?