GENERAL PREP ITEMS

Originally posted by meewee:

Here's a link for a list of things to stock up on to Survive the next disaster http://lacetoleather.com/hom.html

Originally posted by bruss01 regarding "Bugging Out":

One possible pandemic bug-out scenario:

Half of the fire department is out sick, the other half afraid to leave their homes for fear of infection.  A fire starts in the house four doors down from you.  High winds cause the flame to leap to the next house, then the next... you know you have only minutes to take what you can and GO before your house is engulfed in flame. 

Another:  The power has been out for a week.  It has rained incessantly for the past 3 days, and the storm water system is already full.  A river levy near you starts to overflow, and in the space of a couple hours, it has become a torrent.  The water is rising and you have to get out before you are trapped.

Do you have somewhere to go TO? Or will you simply be running FROM?  Sleeping in the local gymnasium on a cot with other refugees is not where you want to be during a pandemic.   Do you have essentials ready to go on a moment's notice - gas in your vehicle - travel cash - a destination?

Thanks I never thought of the papers  deeds  I D  safe in a dry container.

I've purchased waterless shampoo, and Attends bath washcloths. The washcloths are larger and come 48 in a package. They are already wet. I have young children and it will be much easier to use these to bath them with. And, will not tap into our water supply. The waterless shampoo is a liquid, but works like a powder. You put in on then towel dry your hair. It's supposed to remove oil,dirt,etc.

I've also purchased a lot of Toothetts. They are to take the place of toothpaste and toothbrushing, which would also require water.

These items can be purchased online at home health medical supply websites.

I will also have the following items stocked: contact solutions, extra contacts, shampoo, conditioner, deoderant, leave-in conditioner ( for use with waterless shampoo), after-bath powder(will help keep you clean/fresh smelling when you can't take regular baths/showers), baby bath, toothpaste, and extra toothbrushes. After being ill with any viral infection I would recommend changing toothbrushes.

Here's my supply list. Please feel free to add to it because I know I am forgetting things. It is a never ending list.

Food

dried fruit and veggies, canned fruit and veggies, white rice, tortillas, beans (pinto, kidney, black), pasta (all types), pasta sauce (tomato, alfredo etc), saltine crackers, bagged cookies, canned meats (chicken, turkey, beef, spam, ham), nutrition bars, candy, snack crackers, peanut butter, beef jerky, gatorade, canned chili, canned pasta meals, canned soups, tea bags, coffee, canned tomatoes, salt/pepper, nutrition shakes, potatoe chips, breakfast bars, rice crispy treats, pet food & treats, bottled water (1 gal./day/person)

*I plan to buy some perishable foods but those won't last very long.

Paper products

toliet paper, paper towels, baby wipes, paper plates, paper napkins, plasticware, garbadge bags, paper cups, latex gloves, femine products, cotton balls, q-tips, kleenex anti-viral, goggles, hair covers, N95 masks, wax ear plugs, foil, plastic wrap, paper bags, plastic sacks, wax paper, plastic containers, plastic ziplock bags (all sizes), old newspapers

Cleaning agents

bleach, amonia, alcohol gel, liquid dish detergent, clorox wipes, lysol spray, antibacterial spray, toliet cleaner, liquid hand soap, laundry detergent, swifter wet floor wipes, windex

Medical items:

visine eye drops, nasal spray, childrens & adult ibuprofen and acetaminiphen, aspirin, benedryl, pediatlyte, milk of mag, pepto bismol, sinus decongestant, cough suppresant and decongestant, nyquil, thermometer, blood pressure cuff, stethescope, vasoline, triple antibiotic cream, anti itch cream, tums, splints, bandaids, gauze, medical tape, betadine, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, latex gloves, alcohol wipes, butterfly tape, q-tips, prescription meds, tamiflu

Personal care items:

toothpaste, toothbrushes, waterless shampoo, baby shampoo, liquid antibacterial soap, deoderant, mouthwash, body spray, lotion, shave soap, disposable razors, cotton balls, cotton wipes, baby wipes

Survival items:

Candles, batteries, battery operated radio & TV, flashlights, solar lights, propane tanks, kerosene oil, kerosene lamp, shoval, 2x4 wood planks (windows), plywood (windows), camp cook stove with propane tanks, 5 gal. gasoline, sheets, blankets, pillows, cell phone batteries, walkie talkies, pressure cooker, water purification system, plastic sheets, duck tape, household tools, nails, contamination sign, shoval, plastic tarp, pots & pans, metal barrel, pocket knives, hand held can opener, spoons, ladles & spatulas, potable water (in bathtubs, old milk jugs and plastic containers), firewood, outdoor fire pit, charcoal, charcoal lighter, matches, lighters, buckets (to wash clothes, dishes), broom, water hose, plastic garbage containers, ice chests, spray bottles

Survival systems:

Heat, cold, water, waste disposal, decontamination area, isolation room for anyone who gets sick, cooking systems, cleaning systems for laundry & dishes, light, communication (TV/radio), protection from intruders, outside protection (wild fires & birds), pet waste, fire protection inside, power systems (generator, solar, battery etc.), transportation (car, motorcycle, bicycle), fishing poles & equipment, needle & thread

Sanity items:

chocolate, comfort foods, hobby items, paper, pens/pencils, crayons, markers, crossword puzzles, word search books, board games, books, pencil sharpener, stapler, tape, glue, scrapebook items, knitting, bead work, sewing supplies, paint, paintbrush etc....

I think that is it but I know I will think of other stuff later.......

I think I would like the Urgent QR for head wounds.  They bleed like the dickens and are hard to staunch.  Great tip Storm!

I want to discuss a specific item that belongs in everyone's kit.  A knife sharpener.  Among the things you don't want to forget.  A sharp knife has many more uses than a dull one, and if you use your knife it is bound to get knicked and dulled even if you are careful.

When I grew up they had sharpening stones - two stones in one.  A coarse grit and a fine grit.  These are still available.  But there is a modern equivalent that works far better and faster. 

These days you can get sharpening "stones" that are really a soft metal matrix impregnated with hundreds of tiny diamond fragments. They work really well - and you can sharpen knives, scissors, needles, fishhooks - anything that needs an edge quickly and efficiently. 

Buck makes several sizes - but there are cheaper knock-offs as well.  I saw a portable combination one with coarse and fine faces available at the local hardware store for under $20.  With a diamond sharpening system you can have your knifes shaving sharp in a matter of minutes!

-R

Wow, thanks for the information!

Steve101

The solar still does work, but only extends the time you can survive without water.  They really don't make enough water to keep you going full speed - especially in the desert.  We made them in desert warfare school up around the Flagstaff, AZ area.  We were also taught to put things under the plastic that would yield moisture and condense on the plastic, like plants, as they heat up the moisture leaves and condenses on your plastic.  It has been 20 years since I was involved with hands on survival but I remember being told that urinating in the sand (not in the bucket) was appropriate if you are healthy.  The urine evaporates as water and collects to bucket.  Survival is all about extending, never give up, always find a way to extend, get to the next day then do it again.

I liked your post - it brought back memories of eating sand.

I have the ingredients for a solar still in my kit. 

On a similar note, I have read, but not actually tried, that you can take a plastic garbage bag and envelop a cactus or other tree/plant with it so that it sucks the water directly out of the plant (and it collects in the garbage bag).  I imagine some duct tape would be required and a tube to sip the water as well.

Anyone ever heard about or tired this technique?  It works on the same principle as the solar still dug into the ground but the moisture comes from a plant and you don't have to dig a hole.  Also, you probably need to be careful to remove the bag before you kill the plant (if you care about that)

-R

One thing I won't have to worry about is toilet paper!

Here's a recipe for making baby-type wipes for cleaning dirty faces, bottoms, bodies or whatever to save on water and expense:

Bottle of Baby Magic Bath

Roll good quality paper towels

1 1/2 cup water

Half gallon plastic container with lid

Use electric knife and cut paper towel roll in half (best to do several rolls in advance if power outage is anticipated) and remove the inner, hard paper roller.  Place towel roll inside plastic container. 

Mix 2 tablespoons Baby Magic Bath and 1 1/2 cup water and pour into container with towels.  Place lid on container and allow towels to absorb water. 

Keep lid on container to keep towels fresh and damp.  Pull towel from inside roll out first to start roll unraveling from inside out. 

Cheap, effective and uses little water and stores more than small pre-packaged commercial brands.