Any "Preppers" Out There?

[woolybug25]

My problem is my closest family who is also prepping (and would take us in) is 800 miles away. That is more than a tank of gas and I don't foresee being able to get gas and things getting dangerous out there. I can't imagine hiking through 300 miles carrying our crap with the wife and kids. I'll have to do what I can to prep my house, including home defense.

The other thing that sometimes overwhelms me is the medical needs. Can you get anitbiotics on-line now? I guess that is only a google away, but the government probably doesn't like you doing that.

These are two great questions. Keep in mind, you should have a couple tanks of gas at your house and constantly rotate it through things like your car, lawnmower, snowblower, etc. That way, you always have 10-20 gallons (minimum) at your house at all times. Even if its not enough to get where you are going, it could get you closer.

This is the interesting thing about fuel though in the case of all Tier 1 situations, and many Tier 2: If roadways aren't blocked (probable), they will be filled with looters and people ready to do you harm. People that have ganged together will start driving down roads trying to find abandoned cars or even stop people if they are brazen. They will do this in order to steal the gas from the vehicles. If you are in a vehicle, then you are easily targeted. That is why a lot of catastrophe analysts suggest that you should be prepared to walk. I know it seems crazy to walk hundreds of miles, but if it is between dying and walking... you will start walking.

As far as the meds go, I don't know of anyhwere you can get antibiotics. I did as Go Irish suggested, and had my doc write me a script. You should have a box filled with all of the meds you can take. With a focus on things like aspirin, ibuprofin, antibiotics (which will be like gold), antibiotic ointment (also gold), antihistamines and an inhaler (even if you don't have asthma). Also, don't forget a complete kit of bandages/wraps.

 

[woolybug25]

What do you think about bullet proof vests? Nice to have or complete waste of money?

Complete waste of money. You also aren't going to want to walk many miles with a 50 pound pack and a bulletproof vest.

 

[ND NYC]

most people i met at jersey shore when i was helping my sister and bro in law out after sandy did the gen hookups that way.
no harm to eletrical system your just backfeeding thru a different DC.
think of it as using the "old AC condenser" circuit as your main power feed (from the power company).
tip: microwaves, space heaters, and toaster ovens gobble up watts like crazy (drains gen gas very quickly).

 

[JadeBrecks]

RDU:
to get a generator to provide electricty to your whole house, (so dont have to run extension cords etc everywhere) this is what you do:

turn main service breaker in house off
get a "120/240 30 amp cord" (most of the home depot etc have these)
plug the 4 prong end of the cord into your gen. (gen is NOT ON)
snip the other end of the cord and strip back to the wire
go to you AC condenser, there should be a junction box...unhook existing AC condenser's wires.
install wire from gen cord to where the AC condensers wires were.
turn main serive breaker on but make sure the double breaker that feeds the AC unit(s) is now off. (this is most important step)
no turn on gen and you will backfeed your entire house with power off your gen.

This will work but it still leaves a lot of room for error. If you want to do it properly for a generator you won't wan't to cut the end off. Buy one of these boxes (picture A). Run from that box on the outside of your house to your main panel with a 10 gauge three wire with ground romex (2-hots, 1-neutral, and 1-ground). Land your ground wire with your other grounds. Land your neutral wire with your neutrals. Then land your two hot wires on a two pole 30 amp breaker. Put that two pull breaker in the top right corner and buy a interlock like this (Website A).
Then when the power goes out you can wheel your Generator outside while off and plug it in. Then you can turn the generator on. When you go in the electrical panel the interlock will not let turn the generator power on without turning off the main. (nice if you don't fully understand what you are doing, your wife doesn't understand, you forget, or you go to sell your house) Then I would turn the all the individual breakers off. Flip on the generator breaker (it will require the main being shut off because of the interlock) and slowly turn on what you want to run to help take the initial inrush of everything turning on off the generator. Then you are good to go. The first time you run it you may want to put an amp meter on everything so you know what can run on your generator and what can't so you don't overload your generator.
If you do this your local Lineman and Electricians will greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Also if you aren't comfortable doing this ask an electrician to do it.

Picture A

Website A
Generator InterLock Kit

 

[ND NYC]

im with you jade...agree on above.
my suggestion was only a temporary, "holy **** we lost power, we have a gen and were running xtension cirds everywhere when we really dont have to" kind of fix.
the long term and permanent fix like you describe above certainly the way to go. need a licensed guy to do it IMO as with any electrical---if dont know waht your doing DONT DO IT. let the licensed guys do their thing.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Hey the newest post is up in the I.E. Bunker social group.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Sweet I will go check it out.

BTW excellent job on this .....i have learned alot.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Sweet I will go check it out.

BTW excellent job on this .....i have learned alot.

Thanks my friend! I appreciate it. I am having some fun. Gonna try to get more in depth with some upcoming posts.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Post #4 is up in the bunker. A little late and it is rather short. I have been battling an extended illness, so better stuff will follow when I am back up to par.

 

[palinurus]

Not to be a party crasher, but is the "bunker" group open to interested members, or do I need a member to vouch for me, or burn a holy card, or something? No hard feelings if it is a private group not open to outsiders.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Not to be a party crasher, but is the "bunker" group open to interested members, or do I need a member to vouch for me, or burn a holy card, or something? No hard feelings if it is a private group not open to outsiders.

I wish I had the energy to do a really funny, nonsensical post about all the stuff you would need to do to get invited, but I have been really ill lately and I am really tired.

I sent you an invite...sorry, more wit from me some other time.

 

[JadeBrecks]

Not to be a party crasher, but is the "bunker" group open to interested members, or do I need a member to vouch for me, or burn a holy card, or something? No hard feelings if it is a private group not open to outsiders.

He has a lep peeing on an osu logo. I will vouch for that.

 

[palinurus]

He has a lep peeing on an osu logo. I will vouch for that.

In the law, I think they call that an "irrebuttable presumption of validity," lol. Thanks for noticing.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

He has a lep peeing on an osu logo. I will vouch for that.

second

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Newest post is up in the I.E. Bunker. Hope you enjoy!

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Latest post is up in the I.E. Bunker. Sorry for the delay.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Just a short update is up in the Bunker. Check it out...more to come.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Latest post is up in the I.E. Bunker. Check it out.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Latest post is up in the I.E. bunker. Check it out.


Also, if you have any interest in prepping and want a place to share, let me know if you want an invite to the I.E Bunker social group.

 

[pumpdog20]

Can I get an invite?

 

[Irish Insanity]

What is the I.E. Bunker? And am I cool enough for an invite?

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

What is the I.E. Bunker? And am I cool enough for an invite?

Not about being cool. I just sent an invite.

 

[ndfi78]

I'll take an invite if you are passing them out please

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Post #9 is up in the I.E. Bunker. Check it out.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I have really been lazy with my posting duties. Sorry.

Latest post is up in the I.E. Bunker. Enjoy!

 

[goldandblue]

Send me an invite

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Not about being cool. I just sent an invite.

(In my best hipster douche voice)

Well the bunker was cool, but now its too mainstream. I liked the group better when it was obscure and not many people knew about it.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Send me an invite

Done and done.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

(In my best hipster douche voice)

Well the bunker was cool, but now its too mainstream. I liked the group better when it was obscure and not many people knew about it.

Aren't the words "hipster" and "douche" redundant when used together?

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

The latest post is up in the I.E. Bunker. Sorry I have been lagging on getting new posts put up. Life tends to get in the way of stuff I really enjoy doing.

Thanks for reading!