Guests, what can we do for you?

My 2 cents for what it is worth -
I know that when I first began serious prepping, I felt "inadequate" when I read through particular topics on oversea's (prepping/survivalist) forums.....I couldn't do a lot of what these people professed that they could do, I still can't do everything. I was also unwilling to join many of the oversea's forums because of my lack of confidence in my abilities and the possibility that I may have asked a "stupid question" (btw there are no stupid questions when you're dealing with the serious business of preparing to protect yourself and your family for "whatever may come")
This forum and the OzPrepper forum have given me the opportunity to ask questions and to learn from others more experienced (thanks guys and girls). There are obviously a lot of people interested in preparing (judging by the guest numbers) which is awesome - I would also like to encourage our guests to register ....the chances are that you may have skills and/or knowledge (or even an alternative point of view) that could benefit others.The more heads "brainstorming" together, the better!

This is a unique opportunity - so thank you admin for this.


I promised my self to avoid joining/signing into these forums, but after 'Kennas' post thought perhaps I can offer some incite into why there may be so many 'lookers' and so few joining the ranks.

To do this I will relate my own experiences - I had previously joined a couple of overseas forums only to find that as an Australian I had a 'different' thought process and seen things differently to others on those forums overseas. I also discovered when I passed on relevant info to questions asked that was explicit to Australia, I was challenged by these so called experts from overseas on my 'local info' and the credibility of it - (even with the links provided for verification), from those who had no concept of Australia or it's laws or for that matter it's diverseness and distance that needed to be traversed at times. I was often challenged regarding my credibility on weapons and weapons laws in Australia, I was even attacked on a forum even after I had withdrawn my support from there by it's administrator for posting alleged misleading and incorrect information - I later was told about it and it wasn't worth the effort to respond from my behalf - the forum 'owner/administrator', was one who suffered from 'Big Frog in Littly Puddle' Syndrom. That was some time ago and soon after I noticed a decline in Australians participating on that - once active site to now no Australian posts and a very (if I say so), boring content now from others - yes I am still registered and go back a couple of times a year to see what's going on, which is very little now as there seems to have been an exodus from there by others as well.


I then assisted in another forum (an Australian one) only to end up becoming very disillusioned with that site administrator and after some exchanges of opinion over an issue I feel extremely strong about and had first hand knowledge and experience with, (I didn't see the same point of view as the owner/administrator) I found I was bared from that site, which had become a regular occurrence for me on that particular site and I had to on numerous times request to regain access ( I think he was amused by the fact that he could change avatars and 'block members access' as he chose) as there were people on the sight that I felt could still benefit from stuff I knew and from mistakes I had already made. It was about this time I realised that I was being distracted from my original goal, preparing for what comes next. I still offer assistance to those that ask and a number have my private email address and communication is a regular feature and I am happy to assist others where possible - I have offered alternate options and supply information, in the end, it's their decision if they go with my options or choose others. But they make informed decisions.


I was told about this site and am one of the 'lookers' that pop in once or twice a month and see what's new. My only criticism is their is not much in the 'Bare Bones' department on how to start without breaking the bank, from what I've read and seen, a lot is expensive as a start-up option. For an example (I apologise if I missed something similar) for emergency lighting - two jars with lids, fill the smaller one with old cooking oil 1/2 to 3/4 full, get an old flannel shirt cut a piece 10cm long by 1cm wide - make a hole in the lid insert 'flannel wick' place lid on oil bottle then place it in the larger bottle - fill the space halfway with water or sand - there is an emergency light. You can also later use the same concept with 'rendered animal fat'. This is a low cost and cheap emergency light. Remembering at all times - you are dealing with a naked flame so take appropriate precautions to avoid burns.

First time starters are easily put off by the magnitude of preparing. Many really need to be taken by the hand as they are not sure of what they are concerned with or wether they will go, or stay.

I encourage others to make a risk assessment and prioritise their list of concerns - decide if they are bugging in or bugging out - most of all have plans, lots of plans. The 'what if's' are endless, but if you can sort out your primary concerns then that's bloody good start. The right guidance and steerage from those who have been around for some time doing this can make all the difference to the novice - things then don't seem so daunting to them.

As many of you know - what suits one person would not be a priority for another. I have coached a couple of people in this and one thing I do know is:- "No Two People Preparing Have The Same Needs"!!!!

Preparing is extremely individual - for example, my medi-kit will be different to others. Yes we will have the basics, but that's the only similarity. They also need to realise that it could not be for a short time - but could be for years. So. Should they prepare for a week? A month? A year? Or for the rest of their time on this earth?

What strategies do you offer them for long term survival skills? (Again if I have missed this I do apologise).

I really push the message to others to keep a low profile - don't draw attention to yourselves as when the time comes of the HAVES and the HAVE NOTS, it will then be a serious matter of survival. If you maintain a low profile your chances increase dramatically. If you want solar - look at mounting panels on a shed at the back out of sight or better still on a frame at ground level then they can be transported easier if needs be and are away from prying eyes.


This wasn't going to be a novel - was meant to be brief. But where/when do you stop?? I have been doing this for a very long time - before I even knew it had a name - I still shudder when I see that program 'Doomsday prepers' as it has labelled all of us. But in the end we all do the same and that is prepare for an uncertain tomorrow.



Lastly - I always thought references to 'Zombies' were for the masses that have not done any preparation themselves and relied on the government to save them.



The Northern Infidel.

It's a good point you make about advice to someone just starting out and I get why we don't focus there as most of us already have a certain amount of gear together already. There's things I'd do different with my current knowledge. I agree with you regarding the low profile. I'm with you on the reference to Zombies.

I must admit - from all the forums I have recently looked at - this one has gained my interest the most. It has the highest average number of 'Guests' numbers viewing that I see on line when I look (out of the few Australian forums I do look at these seems to be the higher average figures than most) so these potential members need to be encouraged to join up. They need to be assured they will be helped if needs be with information or helped steered in the right direction with information made available, ultimately the final decision is there's, as they best know there ultimate needs and goals - there is an obvious interest from out there - if there wasn't then there wouldn't be the 'Guests' on here that there are.

But I am curious about something - what is the membership categories about?
Admin and Moderator I get.

But what is the go for the following?
VIP Member. Full Member. Junior Member. Senior Member. New Member etc?
Why do some members profiles/or what ever, say these categories and why do some say 'oops! There was an error!'

it's normally based on the number of posts you make, the categories could be summarised as, don't talk much/new, talks a little, talks a fair bit, overly opinionated, can't keep their traps shut....

Well that must make me "can't keep their traps shut."!

If I ever get on this site I will PM you that info (and the reason why I did the PM instead of posting it).

But from your name you mentioned - we must have been on different sites I think.
But the Australian one I was on was only a small one with a good core group - just took one in authority to sort of cruel it.

Meanwhile - back to todays issues!!!

Grrrr!! I was born before everyone/anyone had a Mobile ph. Microwave and stuff, we killed and grew most of our own food, and all that stuff so in reality I may have one or two uses at the right time and was doing this type of lifestyle since basically the day I crawled bare bummed into the house paddock. I now live in a fairly Cyclone prone part of the world Nth Qld - so it was a natural progression of things - just the threat matrix was adjusted and preparations were fine tuned to meet the new problems faced.

But on the down side - I am pretty much a compu-tard. I Will be the first to admit it. My only puta asset is I have the knack to find info.

In the meantime - I will keep trying to register and I will see if I can figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Yeah tried again - I get as far as;

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(Doesn't seem to matter what I type in here as it does the same - {I did a post on the 'A few questions' thread which I copied and pasted where I had an issue} I am thinking the fact that I had to leave mid registration the first time round has caused this).

Welcome properly aboard Sentinel