spatial
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Post by spatial on Mar 21, 2023 19:16:00 GMT 10
Food; probably 1-2 months. Water; rationed - 3-4 months. Cooking capabilities; 4-5 months (bit longer when I fill my empty gas bottle). Medicine; 1-2 mths, but the Mrs needs weekly injections, so I guess we'll plant a nice tree on top of her after a few months! Other items ie cleaning/soap-6 mths; vegetable seeds-years if water available; batteries-3 mths; candles 2 months; Generator/fuel - rationed, about 1-2 months. This is for a family of five. Cooking fuel would be my main limit, have state forest 2 house up the street, unlimited wood,
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 22, 2023 7:20:31 GMT 10
Keep an eye open at markets etc for the older Dowdat and Sidchrome tool sets, they were properly made, mostly in USA, and even though some may be upwards of 50 years old, still perfectly usable and still covered by the Sidchrome lifetime warranty (Repco are the local agents). That said, I bought a 1/2 socket set some years ago from a chain store on special, its Kroken brand I think, made in Japan and its brilliant, never slips, machined perfectly to fit and I haven't broken one piece of it yet.
The Japs made some good tools a few years ago as well.
The other brand I have is metrinch, made in USA over 30 years ago. The set is 1/4 inch square drive and apart from wearing out the ratchet wrench, Ive laid into it installing battery terminals and so on, and never broken a socket. Don't know if the new version is as good though, it doesn't seem as heavy as my set is. Its claim to fame is that the one socket is pressed to fit both metric and imperial, in the same socket with 2 sets of jaws. Very clever and useful.
Battery tools are another area. My first battery drill was a 7.2 volt Ryobi one bought from K mart. The drill still works, but the nicad battery paks have long since died.
Since then Ive had Makita, Ryobi, and now Hitachi, and all were OK, but if I were doing it again, the Bunnings Ozito brands are cheap and cheery, and easily obtainable, warrantied and just work. And buy the highest power battery pak you can, especially if using the 125 mm grinder, they can chew a battery pak in 10 minutes flat when used hard.
China made tools, .............no comment.
Bring a gun. Even better, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.
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rosebud
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Post by rosebud on Mar 22, 2023 7:27:15 GMT 10
Pity we couldn't all find a way to pool resources...but that's just not the human way I guess...
bce1 - I'd be interested to know what broke under recommendation?
Tactile, you could come here and share my resources. Your labour and know how with my set-up and knowledge. Bring a friend.
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tactile
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Post by tactile on Mar 22, 2023 18:02:35 GMT 10
Pity we couldn't all find a way to pool resources...but that's just not the human way I guess...
bce1 - I'd be interested to know what broke under recommendation?
Tactile, you could come here and share my resources. Your labour and know how with my set-up and knowledge. Bring a friend. Thanks for the offer rosebud...if the world goes to hell and my family kick me out on the street (country road?) I'm heading to your place! Here's the last time I visited a mate with a (few) friends -
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rosebud
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Post by rosebud on Mar 23, 2023 10:45:59 GMT 10
Haha! some of them would have to sleep on the footpath. At least security would be good!
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 23, 2023 12:24:18 GMT 10
That looks like the bus coming home from school in the 60's !
"Everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face." Mike Tyson.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 24, 2023 12:51:40 GMT 10
Here is another interesting question, keep your answers to yourselves, its not a test or anything.
If suddenly required to “disappear”, where could you go?
However, if you feel comfortable sharing, please do.
Fun fact:Carrying more than 50kg of potatoes in WA is a offense. The crime has existed since 1946, but it's unclear why it first came about, but was likely to do with protecting the states commercial activities. All we know is, if you're hankering for a French fry feast for you and your friends, cross the border into South Australia first.
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Post by spinifex on Mar 24, 2023 13:22:38 GMT 10
If the property we live on became an island in an instant... My little group would be fine for a year and beyond that until the first drought. Then we might struggle with crop failure curtailing food production.
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Post by spinifex on Mar 24, 2023 13:30:36 GMT 10
If I had to disappear ... I'd throw away my phone, leave usual place of residence and steer clear of anyone I already know.
People disappear all the time using this approach. Its not about the "place" one goes its about the 'technique' of not providing leads to follow or locations for being intercepted at.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 24, 2023 15:28:54 GMT 10
Perhaps we can start part of our disappearing act now, before its needed ?
Fun fact:In Australia, once you give an animal a name, you are required to keep it. The law dictates that you are only allowed to name an animal if you intend to keep it as a pet; you cannot name an animal you intend to eat.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Mar 24, 2023 19:01:59 GMT 10
My retreat is fully self sufficient for water, electricity and waste water disposal. Abundant water from 450m of permanent river frontage.
Plenty of fresh meat including trout, carp, ducks, deer, goats, pigs and Roos. Close to 1000kg of grain stored. Unlimited timber for heating and cooking. Well stocked workshop with various tools, nuts, bolts, nails, structural timber, plumbing and electrical supplies. The tools and skills to defend what is ours.
I think my little family of 10 or so would survive for longer than most.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 25, 2023 7:27:19 GMT 10
Good comment frostbite, those who have done some prepping would survive longer than those who haven't.
As for disappearing, it would depend for how long you need to disappear as to which course of action to take. For a few days, easy peasy, just slink into the bush with a bug out pak of food and shelter. Even a week or so wouldn't be too difficult with a decent knapsack and a bit of preparation.
No, I think the question refers to a longer period, say several months, perhaps fleeing from persecution or a rampaging mob hell bent on causing more havoc after the collapse.
And that gets exponentially harder to do the longer one needs to stay 'disappeared' for.
Do you meet up with others who need to 'disappear' ? or go it alone ? The lone wolf approach may be safer as you control your surroundings, but you cant stay awake 24/7 for very long.
Gathering intel will be vital and having a decent portable short wave radio and perhaps some means of 2 way communications would be a good idea. Maintain OPSPEC at all times and don't transmit unless its absolutely necessary. It would go without saying to ditch the phone.
Having a well defended property in the country, with adequate water and land for food production may be the only long term solution, especially for a prolonged situation with a family group.
Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 31, 2023 7:07:39 GMT 10
And here is another question, or maybe a series of observations.
How do you think Australians, specifically in the towns and cities, will react when it all comes crashing down ?
At first, its gunna be seen as a inconvenience when the plastic card doesn't work at Coles or Wollies. If you are shopping when it falls over, unless you have cash on you, I see a lot of groceries being left at the checkouts as people cant pay for them, ditto for fuel, except that you already have the petrol and I see lots of drive aways happening. Ringing the bank gets you into a hold Que a million miles long, so that aint gunna work. Cash will be king for a while.
After a few days, the power goes out. Meanwhile, the Govt dudes are saying all is OK, we have it in hand, don't panic.
Most will treat it as a excuse to get together with the neighbors for a BBQ and drinks.
After a few days, the realization will hit that this is much more serious than the powers that be are letting on.
Meanwhile, the preppers amongst them are already either making their way to or are at their BOL's.
After another couple of days, food will be running out, fresh water no longer available and raw sewage overflowing form the pits in town. Most will realize it is time to go, but where ?
That's when we out here will face the hungry, thirsty hordes.
Enter full prepping mode, and be ready to repel boarders with force.
Any other ideas or senerios ?
I suddenly got it: preppers exist because the rest of us are critically under-prepared.
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Mar 31, 2023 10:28:10 GMT 10
And here is another question, or maybe a series of observations. How do you think Australians, specifically in the towns and cities, will react when it all comes crashing down ? At first, its gunna be seen as a inconvenience when the plastic card doesn't work at Coles or Wollies. If you are shopping when it falls over, unless you have cash on you, I see a lot of groceries being left at the checkouts as people cant pay for them, ditto for fuel, except that you already have the petrol and I see lots of drive aways happening. Ringing the bank gets you into a hold Que a million miles long, so that aint gunna work. Cash will be king for a while. After a few days, the power goes out. Meanwhile, the Govt dudes are saying all is OK, we have it in hand, don't panic. Most will treat it as a excuse to get together with the neighbors for a BBQ and drinks. After a few days, the realization will hit that this is much more serious than the powers that be are letting on. Meanwhile, the preppers amongst them are already either making their way to or are at their BOL's. After another couple of days, food will be running out, fresh water no longer available and raw sewage overflowing form the pits in town. Most will realize it is time to go, but where ? That's when we out here will face the hungry, thirsty hordes. Enter full prepping mode, and be ready to repel boarders with force. Any other ideas or senerios ? I am not sure the so called hungry hordes go to rural areas. - For a start they will be out of fuel. When they tried to evacuate Florida due to record size and intensity hurricane. The Gov had to bring in special fuel delivers which included shipping to the costal cities and closing HW to get fuel tankers in.
- Why leave a city and your house when you know you cant get back.
- During the pandemic some mostly Asians went to nearby small rural towns to get toilet paper from local IGA, but they will all be empty by then.
- Large number of Aus have caravans and campers - but where does one go and get food. Randomly driving round the country's will be pointless.
- I calculate AUS firearm ownership at less then 3.5% and very ageing population of owners.. Not many have skills in hunting: www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/compareyears/10/number_of_licensed_firearm_owners
- Most of the hunters that I know use dogs with quad bikes etc.. to get around - no fuel no go....
- Gov will bring in the old soup kitchens to appease the masses on initial collapse, by they time it all fails - will be too late to leave.
- If the hordes are thirsty - they wont make to rural area...
- The normalcy bias will get non-preppers and non Christians, people will tend to gather at big cities thinking they can get more Gov support..
A few years back when there was major East coast storms and power wet out, a guy in my church told me his neighbor tried to sell him some meat from his deep freezer. He said he had no money or ability to store the meat so the guy gave it to him for free. The normalcy bias, having cash on hand and ability/skills to preserve food will be a windfall in early stages of collapse. Even supermarkets will be cash only and big discount on refrigerated items. Worth getting back to town to take advantage of the situation.. The unprepared food will all go to waste anyway, might as well take it and prevent more rot..
I will print fake Gov flyer and put in all neighbors posts boxes saying there is food at nearby town sports stadium, they will all be desperate and leave then I will have the suburb to myself. Prepping is about preparedness for any situation, one can prep in an urban environment. I also do rent a 5 acre rural property 4hours drive from Newcastle, that is an alternate option..
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Mar 31, 2023 10:38:05 GMT 10
Another thing one has to take into consideration more than half the population have medication needs, and have at best 5days meds. Whenever there is flooding and towns cut off the SES have urgent request to deliver critical medication. Leaving a city without meds would be unthinkable to most. Again our ageing population and people wanting to look after aging relatives will prevent initial mass migration.
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Mar 31, 2023 11:14:54 GMT 10
Another thing one has to take into consideration more than half the population have medication needs, and have at best 5days meds. Whenever there is flooding and towns cut off the SES have urgent request to deliver critical medication. Leaving a city without meds would be unthinkable to most. Again our ageing population and people wanting to look after aging relatives will prevent initial mass migration. Ok I would never do that it would be unchristian. It was designed to bring discussion. Come SHTF there will be lots of rumors going around and people will be fearful of being looted. In Aus when there is evacuations for bush fire or flooding within 2h the cockroaches (Translation to Aus slang "Rat Bags") start helping themselves. it would also be an initial deterrent for people to leave to look for more recourses till the very end. My option "C" would be to take over one of the mine sites that I have oversite on. Have a large number of closed mine sites in different stages of rehabilitation from complete and no infrastructure to some with lots of mining gear, dozers, excavators, 6x6 trucks, 50,000 l fuel tanks, generators, well fenced, and plenty of feral animals like rabbit and pigs, have photographed some deer in motion camera traps..
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Mar 31, 2023 11:58:51 GMT 10
Yes,the question was designed to initiate discussion, not to focus on any Religious or social group, but like spatial says, religious people may indeed be better off. And I must admit I hadn't considered medications. Fuel, yes, and looking at another 1,200 liter overhead petrol tank. But as for the general unprepared public,that would be an issue,and it's a good call to consider that to set off, into an unknown direction, without adequate fuel to get back, may indeed limit the intruder problem for us out here. Then again, if they had no other choice,maybe the masses wouldn't worry about getting back, after all, they would be starving and thirsty by them anyway. Maybe people in the cities will gather together in mutual survival groups and decide to stay put. Whilst I have confidence in our abilities to survive post collapse, my fear is of 'invasion' from unprepared,starving townies, and being overwhelmed by numbers. Would webe able to turn them all away without undue force (firearms ?), I don't know. Perhaps the best plan may be to try and integrate them into your community. Having rules to follow that you have worked out beforehand may be advantageous. Making sure any newcomers follow them is another matter. Who would police them ? That's a huge can of worms, as ultimately, civilization will resetablish itself and we may be answerable to authorities for our actions. I believe that thinking and planning for this type of senerio is as important as physical prepping. Of course, it's not Gunna happen the way we think, but at least we have some ideas to carry on with and may not be caught out. My tagline generator is in my computer and I'm at TAFE helping a daughter, so no tagline till I get home. Sorry.
Who controls the money controls the world.
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Post by Stealth on Apr 14, 2023 23:09:53 GMT 10
This has suddenly become reality for a lot of North-Western Australians thanks to the cyclone. Bunkered in, unable to get out for supplies. I have family working FIFO up there at the moment and despite their accommodation being cyclone rated specifically for this reason, I'm still concerned for him and the other folks up there. Because even at the best of times JIT doesn't exist up there. If they get stuck bunkered in for more than a day or so they're not going to have anything on hand to eat/drink while they wait for the coast to be clear.
There's apparently 60 caravans up there who were told to leave or they'd become massive flighty missiles. Those people have refused either out of stubbornness or stupidity to leave. I'm sure some are stuck there because they can't afford to fuel their vehicles until they get paid too (I've heard of stories about folks having that problem) but absolutely they would have been given assistance to get out of there if that was brought to the attention of the authorities I'm sure.
Crazy weather times are going to be a pretty big thing this year it seems. Hopefully people start putting two and two together and treating their home or temporary accommodation as islands so that they start stockpiling everything they might need if they couldn't even open their doors.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Apr 15, 2023 8:56:42 GMT 10
That cyclone was bad, sheltering in a container that was bolted down to withstand a cat 5 and it was moving ! Scary times. My son is heading that way in a few weeks to take up a position as a tour guide, I wonder if there will be anything left to see !
Long term for us, meals would get a bit boring, but we have just introduced the ram back in with the ewes so will have lambs by the end of the year.
Ive been thinking about timing for a collapse and when the powers that be could initiate one. We have one big advantage 'down under' as our seasons are opposite of those up north. So, to create maximum panic, I suspect it will be stared off in the northern hemisphere winter, our summer. That alone would give us a tremendous advantage in prepping. It also means we are probably safe for another 6 months or so, at least until spring down here.
Our aim is to stay put, but we do have basic bug out camping gear stored in the container, along with spare ham comms gear.
Bush camping in the middle of winter doesn't appeal to me any more !
“Fear, panic, grief, a sense of pervasive loss, and the shattering of meaning and purpose would make an adaptive response difficult, perhaps impossible …"
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Apr 15, 2023 20:27:22 GMT 10
..........Ive been thinking about timing for a collapse and when the powers that be could initiate one. We have one big advantage 'down under' as our seasons are opposite of those up north. So, to create maximum panic, I suspect it will be stared off in the northern hemisphere winter, our summer. That alone would give us a tremendous advantage in prepping. It also means we are probably safe for another 6 months or so, at least until spring down here. Most of of the big crashes have preciously occurred in October... That is my seasonal timing, and it will be a very harsh winter in the north then by the time spring comes it will be mass starvation...
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