Post-Apocalypse Survival

[iwant2believe2]

"Denoting or relating to the time following a nuclear war or other catastrophic event."

Leaving aside any political opinions, conspiracies or fantastical zombie/alien invasion scenario, let's discuss survival in a civilization collapsed from natural catastrophe, nuclear blast, EMP, super plague etc.

 

[FFH]

Leader type personalities will appear from the crowd...stick to them and help them, it might be the best way to survive. The other way is to join the scum and take away from the weak. Don't do that....

 

[3FEL9]

Leader type personalities will appear from the crowd...stick to them and help them, it might be the best way to survive. The other way is to join the scum and take away from the weak. Don't do that....

Your words make me want to have you on my team,, bro

Primitive Technology 《 《《《

 

[iwant2believe2]

Leader type personalities will appear from the crowd...stick to them and help them, it might be the best way to survive. The other way is to join the scum and take away from the weak. Don't do that....

When resources are scarce, they will be even more so in a crowd. I would pick a few trust worthy companions and head away. At least for awhile.

My initial response would be, in order, assess imminent danger & get away from it, assess & treat injuries, locate water, shelter, fire, food. Of course some responses would be specific to the event but that's my general POA.

 

[nivek]

Resources may get scarce quickly, clean water perhaps more than food would be harder to find...If I knew something was happening and had at least a little time to prepare I would head to the mountains close by...I know areas and caves I think very few do, gathering as much water, food, first aid in that order, then blankets, clothing...Im not going to carry extra fuel, just a full tank, hide the car and use only when necessary...

I can survive in the mountain forests with my dog, I know what plants to eat, where fresh spring water is, I know the animal trails and what animals are around for food...Also can grow vegetables in places remote I stay, thick forests that few would venture in randomly at around 3000 ft. elevation...I could do a small group too but we must be able to trust one another for our survival...Stay off the radar and out of sight...

 

[3FEL9]

I Would keep chickens, about 20 of them. They eat of the ground and produce EGGs. 1 aday each.. or so

2 Months ago I decided to make a drastic change in my diet. I got rid of ALL shugars and carbohydrates..
I only ate 18 eggs + water each day ( Still does ) Sofar lost about 12 kgs ( 26 pounds ) ..
Best thing never hungry really ( thats so strange )

 

[iwant2believe2]

I think if prepping I would rely more heavily on canned non-acidic vegetables, fruits and meats. There is a shorter shelf life than dry goods but the bulk of dry require water for preparation. Water may be in short supply...contaminated or inaccessible. Besides not requiring water for eating, the cans have liquids that can stave off dehydration until drinkable water can be found. I would also prep electrolyte & protein powders since they mix with water and are calorie/nutrient dense with a long shelf life.

 

[SOUL-DRIFTER]

I use to have a book that identified all edible plants. How to identify them, pick them and prepare them.
A girl friend years ago stole it from me along with other things.

I plan on getting another one soon.
Something of great value if a world collapse were to occur.
They also make solar powered water purifiers as well.

 

[iwant2believe2]

I use to have a book that identified all edible plants. How to identify them, pick them and prepare them.
A girl friend years ago stole it from me along with other things.

I plan on getting another one soon.
Something of great value if a world collapse were to occur.
They also make solar powered water purifiers as well.

I should've added to my other post about canned vs. dry. When you cook dry foods in water any environmental toxins may be absorbed by the food instead of boiled off in the steam. Canned foods can be eaten from the can or boiled in their own liquids in the can. Just vent the can and put on the fire to cook. So that's another reason to go can over dry.

Helpful to know which plants can be used as medicinals too. Honey and aloe vera are great as a food source and medicinal.

I recently seen a video for a company that makes saltwater powered lamps. The lamps are very bright and last for hours. All it takes, apparently, is saltwater to recharge...even homemade salt water will suffice.

I've been meaning to have a go at distilling water from saltwater. Plenty of it around here and its a skill I'd like to master.

 

[nivek]

I've been living in this region for almost 20 years and so many camping trips to the mountains over the years, I know an area 200 miles along the Appalachian mountains that I would find fresh water, shelter, and food, I have no problem hunting rabbits and small animals, I'd only kill a deer if necessary...There are bear, bobcat, wild hog, coyote, and black panthers in those mountains and I have encountered them all before in some way without inciident fortunately, but I don't own a gun, never have, don't really want one but I do have cross bow, archery equipment and good long and short blade knives to hunt and protection...

 

[iwant2believe2]

Emergency medicinal aids for exposure to radiation fall-out.

Potassium Iodide.
KI, in pill form, is over the counter and can be purchased one line if not found in store. It helps prevent and eliminate radiation from the thyroid if taken before or after exposure.

Ferric Ferrocyanide
Or Prussian Blue is a synthetic pigment found in artist paints and cosmetics. It is in a powder form. Taken internally after exposure, it prevents absorption and removes certain radiation...especially the type found in dirty bombs (uses nuclear medicine waste)...from the body. It is not available without prescription. However, non-medical grade ferric ferrocyanide can be obtained from the above mentioned sources. This is something you may attempt to make to add to your SHTF bag or something you might attempt to find after SHTF to reduce the effects of radiation exposure. It is reportedly non-toxic (yes I know the 'cyanide' in the name is alarming) but do your research before any DIY Prussian Blue.

I've included a file that lists the known medicinal countermeasures. Of course, who wouldn't want an entire stockpile of the all the countermeasures on hand. That's just not possible for most people. I am thinking though of what to look for and what you can possibly find after SHTF to help yourself and others counter the effects of radiation exposure. For instance, I would likely be on the look out for prussian blue if I was looking though the rubble of a department store...in particular the cosmetics and art supplies. I am not likely to care, at that point, if ferric ferrocyanide is medical grade or not.

 

[nivek]

Emergency medicinal aids for exposure to radiation fall-out.

Potassium Iodide.
KI, in pill form, is over the counter and can be purchased one line if not found in store. It helps prevent and eliminate radiation from the thyroid if taken before or after exposure.

Ferric Ferrocyanide
Or Prussian Blue is a synthetic pigment found in artist paints and cosmetics. It is in a powder form. Taken internally after exposure, it prevents absorption and removes certain radiation...especially the type found in dirty bombs (uses nuclear medicine waste)...from the body. It is not available without prescription. However, non-medical grade ferric ferrocyanide can be obtained from the above mentioned sources. This is something you may attempt to make to add to your SHTF bag or something you might attempt to find after SHTF to reduce the effects of radiation exposure. It is reportedly non-toxic (yes I know the 'cyanide' in the name is alarming) but do your research before any DIY Prussian Blue.

I've included a file that lists the known medicinal countermeasures. Of course, who wouldn't want an entire stockpile of the all the countermeasures on hand. That's just not possible for most people. I am thinking though of what to look for and what you can possibly find after SHTF to help yourself and others counter the effects of radiation exposure. For instance, I would likely be on the look out for prussian blue if I was looking though the rubble of a department store...in particular the cosmetics and art supplies. I am not likely to care, at that point, if ferric ferrocyanide is medical grade or not.

Good information...

Also I know of many ways of collecting fresh water but the problem is if the water is irradiated...collecting water from trees, bushes, or finding springs is great but if it contaminated that is a problem...

 

[3FEL9]

I've been living in this region for almost 20 years and so many camping trips to the mountains over the years, I know an area 200 miles along the Appalachian mountains that I would find fresh water, shelter, and food, I have no problem hunting rabbits and small animals, I'd only kill a deer if necessary...There are bear, bobcat, wild hog, coyote, and black panthers in those mountains and I have encountered them all before in some way without inciident fortunately, but I don't own a gun, never have, don't really want one but I do have cross bow, archery equipment and good long and short blade knives to hunt and protection...

Do you own any land there. Or you planing to roam around..mmm. Post apocalypse that may be of no little importance.
What about the seasons ? Winters .. How would your shelter look like ?

 

[iwant2believe2]

3FEL9 that's one of things that bugs me...what good is a bunker or stockpile of you can't get to it in time? In the event of a true catastrophe, there will be little warning. Even if you have say a 10 minute window...how will get from where you are to where you need to be when panic will make streets impassable? If it's nuclear, you need to get as far underground as possible. If you're at ground zero then the issue is irrelevant. If you are at least 1/2 mile from impact, you are likely to survive if you are not killed by secondary means. You then have about half an hour to get underground. 10 ft is usually sufficient but keep going down if you can. You need to remain there at least 72 hours but more depending on the blast radius and being downwind. Point is...getting to your well stocked and fortified shelter may be impossible. What then? Its reasonable to assume that nukes would be fired at targets destroying the infrastructure and at peak times. You will likely be at work or school and away from your family.

 

[3FEL9]

3FEL9 that's one of things that bugs me...what good is a bunker or stockpile of you can't get to it in time? In the event of a true catastrophe, there will be little warning. Even if you have say a 10 minute window...how will get from where you are to where you need to be when panic will make streets impassable? If it's nuclear, you need to get as far underground as possible. If you're at ground zero then the issue is irrelevant. If you are at least 1/2 mile from impact, you are likely to survive if you are not killed by secondary means. You then have about half an hour to get underground. 10 ft is usually sufficient but keep going down if you can. You need to remain there at least 72 hours but more depending on the blast radius and being downwind. Point is...getting to your well stocked and fortified shelter may be impossible. What then? Its reasonable to assume that nukes would be fired at targets destroying the infrastructure and at peak times. You will likely be at work or school and away from your family.

Good thoughts..I2B2 my vision is a large sail boat,, with room for my chickens on deck.. can go anywhere to avoid bad areas.
Cant do much about nuclear fall outs obviously... best to avoid the North Americas, Europe, Russia, Japan..

South South East Asia me thinks, is a good heading
Or the south Pacific Ocean

 

[nivek]

Do you own any land there. Or you planing to roam around..mmm. Post apocalypse that may be of no little importance.
What about the seasons ? Winters .. How would your shelter look like ?

No I don't own land in the mountains yet but planning to...Not really roam around, I know of 3 good spots that two are a cave, but they are fairly well hidden, you would have to hike a while to get to them, maybe two miles, no roads through thick forest and elevation changes in spots...plenty of wood to burn for winter, which will be the hardest to keep hidden cause of burning wood, someone could find me easier if I don't plan it carefully...

 

[iwant2believe2]

If deep enough in the cave, you'll have moderate temps but you'll definitely want some ventilation as you'll need fire at least to purify water for drinking. I guess try to vent the smoke away from your entrance point and conceal that as best as you can.

 

[3FEL9]

No I don't own land in the mountains yet but planning to...Not really roam around, I know of 3 good spots that two are a cave, but they are fairly well hidden, you would have to hike a while to get to them, maybe two miles, no roads through thick forest and elevation changes in spots...plenty of wood to burn for winter, which will be the hardest to keep hidden cause of burning wood, someone could find me easier if I don't plan it carefully...

Yeah that could work. U need some kind of stove in the cave for heating and cooking, with a exhaust pipe that goes to the outside. And since it its rather remote with no roads, perhaps makin one out of bricks or stone is better than hauling a cast iron one all the way out there...

 

[Dundee]

I would head for the library, gun shops, fishing supplies, blankets tents, hardware, communications gear, batteries generators all that stuff, fuel supply, and stock up on those as quick as possible in a big truck and then go hide it somewhere. Especially the books. I imagine I would find out very quickly what I did not know, as soon as I needed to know it. So books would be top of the list for me. I think food in the cities would disappear overnight so not a lot of point fighting over that.
But with enough hunting equipment you could survive in the wild a long time. Give it a few months and the cities would probably be barren as most people would have starved or been killed by the mob.
I would have also grabbed a dirt bike to get around fast while my fuel lasted. Then very tentatively look for other like minded survivors.

 

[iwant2believe2]

I would want guns and I am not a bad shot but my weapon of necessity would be a cross bow. I would save the firepower for protection. Cross bow, compound, whatever for hunting. I wouldn't go for a fueled vehicle though. I think I would look for a light weight mountain bike. And a dog!