Prepper Tips Welcome

[quintessentone]

As a newly fledged prepper, so far I have stored water and food and have learned how to collect/find, filter and heat water to boiling using candles and/or my outdoor fire pit or charcoal BBQ. I also have direct access to an exposed underground water hole my basement where I can directly bail water then filter it.

I am studying and making my own medicines as well as I will be planting specific plants for the medicine and food. I am storing bulk items which supposedly will be of great valuable to people if or when TSHTF, such as salt, fire-making items, medicines, first aid items etc. I have started to store bulk alcohol to also use for first aid/medicinal purposes.

I was debating on how to keep warm so I bought mylar blankets and my first 'go to' would be to make a small enclosed mylar-lined tented area in my home for sleeping, while also weatherproofing doors/windows with layers of cardboard, blankets and mylar, then using radiant candle heaters - lots of them. But now I am seriously considering installing a wood burning stove to make as my first 'go to', then I can always fall back on my other plan if wood becomes unavailable.

We have plans for my daughter's fiance to take a shooting/firearm's course and buy firearm(s). Myself and my partner already know how to handle a firearm, I just let my license slip and can't be bothered to renew it, but we only need one licensed member who can buy multiple firearms and we'll just use them, if needed. But we intend to, or hope that, our neighbors will congregate to form a small group where we all will help each other and assign specific jobs to those with existing expertise, such as hunting animals for meat, nursing/doctoring, farming, etc.

I would like to know what I have missed and/or what your prepper life looks like if you would be so kind to share.

[David64]

How are  you storing water for long term ? 

Water is something you have to be very careful with because the "if it's green it's bad" doesn't fit. There could be pathogens in the water and you'll never know till it's too late. A fresh water source would be better and treat as needed.

Don't get "fancy" calibers when it comes to guns. Handguns should be 9mm, .45 or .357. Find the most common handgun caliber in your area for easy to find ammo.
Whatever caliber of hunting rifle is most common in your neck of the woods. In a SHTF you want to be able to find ammo easily. A .338 Lapua magnum is great for now, but when ammo gets scarce... .270 is an old but reliable. Just like 30.30 or 30.06. It's an "old man" caliber for a reason.
A .22 is invaluable. Easy to shoot and easy to store thousands of rounds. A shotgun is a must.

Do Not Count On Neighbors. The same people who were helping you last week know what stores you have and will be raiding you when times get tough. Learn to hunt, dress your kill and store meat on your own. YOU are the one responsible for your survival.

[quintessentone]

How are  you storing water for long term ? 

Water is something you have to be very careful with because the "if it's green it's bad" doesn't fit. There could be pathogens in the water and you'll never know till it's too late. A fresh water source would be better and treat as needed.

Don't get "fancy" calibers when it comes to guns. Handguns should be 9mm, .45 or .357. Find the most common handgun caliber in your area for easy to find ammo.
Whatever caliber of hunting rifle is most common in your neck of the woods. In a SHTF you want to be able to find ammo easily. A .338 Lapua magnum is great for now, but when ammo gets scarce... .270 is an old but reliable. Just like 30.30 or 30.06. It's an "old man" caliber for a reason.
A .22 is invaluable. Easy to shoot and easy to store thousands of rounds. A shotgun is a must.

Do Not Count On Neighbors. The same people who were helping you last week know what stores you have and will be raiding you when times get tough. Learn to hunt, dress your kill and store meat on your own. YOU are the one responsible for your survival.

I have plastic storage containers specific to storing water. I just changed them all out, cleaned them with a diluted bleach wash, then filled them up again, from whole home filtered and UV lighted groundwater from my well. I'm always thinking about that stored water because it is so important.

Yeah, the firearms and ammo situation needs to be dealt with pronto. Why is a shotgun a must? For killing small game, like birds?

I don't live in a big city, my neighbors seem like good people, as far as I have talked to them, and they did not fail to help us when asked, and vice versa. But I don't mind sharing with what I will lead them to believe is a small food/medicine storage situation as it is recommended to also hide food in places people would not think to look. I will gladly share my access to groundwater with them but with food collection, farming etc. they will have to do their share of the work.

As for how the economy is doing, that depends on who you ask. Elites will never be affected by high prices for anything, nor inflation and the stock market basically caters to them only.

[David64]

A shot gun can be used for self defense, or hunting. Buckshot for birds or small game like rabbits or slugs for deer. Rabbits are hard to hit unless they're sitting still, but they spook easy and hitting one with a .22 on the run is next to impossible. Hitting birds on the wing is the same.

Remington makes a great gun. The 870 comes in many configurations and you could shop for what fits your needs without breaking the bank.

The Ruger 10/22 is a reliable and affordable .22 LR.

I'm a bit partial to Remington because I have a Wingmaster, but Winchester or Mossberg are fine guns too.

[ANNEE]

Being in an area that has frequent power outages. 

Hand crank radio
Batteries
Candles
Storable fuel 
Generator
Thermals etc

[quintessentone]

Being in an area that has frequent power outages. 

Hand crank radio
Batteries
Candles
Storable fuel 
Generator
Thermals etc

I am iffy about the hand crank radio, just why would that be a 'must have', what information is likely to come over the waves that would be of any use?

Batteries - check

Candles - check

Storable fuel - as in inside the house? Isn't that just butane which is the safest?
 
Generator - maybe - I was looking at solar powered options, or inverters that connect to my car battery, but most of these types of power sources will still need fuel which can't be stored indoors or will perhaps be stolen by others if stored outside. Right now I've pretty much decided on installing a wood stove.

Thermals? as in heavy woolen blankets and clothing and/or body/hand warmers?

[fwki]

Hand crank radios are fine for bugout bags etc, but for the house lithium batteries are easily recharged with small solar rigs or your alternative base power source.  For info on major calamities, I have portable shortwave radios to tune into ham radio broadcasts. You may consider portable scanner radios for local authorities. Also GMRS two- way radios will be invaluable to communicate with like-minded folks a few miles directly or across the county with repeater networks if cell systems are defunct. I also have Elon's satellite internet dish and router, it's $5 per month for standby plus text msg, with instantaneous ramp up to full bandwidth on demand.

[ANNEE]

What if it’s an alien invasion and all communication satellites are disabled. 

Agree Ham radio probably best. Where do they get power?

I’m thinking very basic. What can you do with your hands alone?

Shovel - axe - hand crank drill - long hose - matches. 

Maybe I’ve seen too many Sci-Fi movies. 

But I’m pretty isolated on unincorporated land in high desert 3000’ elevation on a dirt road. Even if I have transportation - will gas be available?

[quintessentone]

What if it’s an alien invasion and all communication satellites are disabled. 

Agree Ham radio probably best. Where do they get power?

I’m thinking very basic. What can you do with your hands alone?

Shovel - axe - hand crank drill - long hose - matches. 

Maybe I’ve seen too many Sci-Fi movies. 

But I’m pretty isolated on unincorporated land in high desert 3000’ elevation on a dirt road. Even if I have transportation - will gas be available?

I highly doubt gas and other types of fuel will be available and when peoples' fuel storages run out, will they be coming for yours?

I don't know anything about ham radios and if what power source options they have.

I think aliens are too advanced to be bothered with us because of our destructive ways.

[quintessentone]

Hand crank radios are fine for bugout bags etc, but for the house lithium batteries are easily recharged with small solar rigs or your alternative base power source.  For info on major calamities, I have portable shortwave radios to tune into ham radio broadcasts. You may consider portable scanner radios for local authorities. Also GMRS two- way radios will be invaluable to communicate with like-minded folks a few miles directly or across the county with repeater networks if cell systems are defunct. I also have Elon's satellite internet dish and router, it's $5 per month for standby plus text msg, with instantaneous ramp up to full bandwidth on demand.

Damn, now you have me thinking I also need to plan for a bugout situation. I have only focused on prepping for a stay in place scenario.