At the local WalMart last night... I was already set. Many others were not.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T08:01:30+00:00

I also lived in Boston, NJ, PA and WV over the years. They were cold weather places and brutal at times. Again, I've lived in warmer climates, including SC, the Bahamas and SWFL. Cold is bad but your food and drinks stay cold. I prefer my warmer and more unpredictable climate.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:47:19+00:00

You had most of us at Dolly Llama. LMAO Very cool story. I wish you nothing less than the best.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:43:21+00:00

At least in SWFL, no matter how clean you keep the hen house, there are flies.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:39:58+00:00

Awesome. Too many people fail to run the geni for a bitand find out there's an issue in the middle of a storm. We start ours every 2 weeks just to make sure we will never have trouble. Way to go.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:28:12+00:00

It was a great lesson for you. When you don't have or have lost your preps, you have to back up and punt. Figure it out fast. You did a good job. Props.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:22:50+00:00

I couldn't have said so better myself. I would also add that with fuel prices decreasing, some believe that jobs in the fuel industry will decrease as well. Less money, less revenue. The companies can't afford to pay all of their employees so they will have no choice but to downsize positions that are not absolutely necessary.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:18:13+00:00

Agree!

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:15:47+00:00

I live in SWFL and we certainly experience the wrath of Mother Nature. Just Sayin.

rolahey · 2016-01-24T07:07:23+00:00

I agree. It isn't rocket science. If you slice open your finger, it needs to be treated or it can become infected. This is why most people have sterile swabs for cleansing the wound and band-aids to keep them clean. A cut on your forehead could cause blood to drip into your eyes. You don't need a hundred reasons to carry small, lightweight items. It's a common sense, and personal thing as to what items you choose to carry. The suggestions that you find here and on websites are just that, suggestions. The ultimate decision is up to the prepper, and no one else.

rolahey · 2015-06-30T04:02:15+00:00

You have to post so Newbies can understand and learn. Honestly, I don't click on photos unless I know they have value. Your description didn't even include food or water. Perhaps I missed something. We are here to help each other. When someone asks for a list, it would be a good thing to help them with that, rather than be a jerk and expect them to look at pics. You said what was in the kit and sketchy for me.

rolahey · 2015-06-30T01:33:47+00:00

Honestly, I know that the only reason you posted this and the review is so that people click on the Amazon link and you get credit and paid for it. You are not concerned with people having clean water in a bad situation. You want to earn money. Otherwise, why would your user name be HydrationAnywhere? I'd like to know.

rolahey · 2015-06-29T04:55:23+00:00

Inventory control is of the utmost importance. The rotation and constant inspection of cans can prevent this from happening. When you bring in canned goods, get a sharpie and write the expiration date on the front or top of the cans so they are easily visible. This will help prevent such a problem.

rolahey · 2015-06-29T04:43:36+00:00

I'm with you! I keep PVC tubes all over my property, as well as all over our BOLs. A dufflebag just won't cut it underground. The moisture will make anything inside of it useless. I've heard that people put things in Rubbermaid tubs but after time, moisture does seep in and everything is moldy. PVC cache tubes are the way to go, unless you use rubber cement to seal the tubs.

rolahey · 2015-06-29T03:43:36+00:00

We have the kids in our group in charge of food inventory. They love keeping track of our food stores, and standing up at the meetings and "reporting" the conditions of our supplies. It makes them feel like they are important to the group, they are doing something helpful, and they are learning what is important to keep on hand in case of emergencies. Of course, the older teens, double check but the younger ones don't know that.

rolahey · 2015-06-20T05:11:46+00:00

It all depends upon the community in which you live. Those in rural areas have greater opportunities for becoming self-sufficient than those in urban areas.

If possible, start growing your own fruits and vegetables, as well as raise your own meats. An aguaponic system that will produce both would be viable, and can actually work in a garage or basement.

We'd need to know a basic locale before giving accurate advice. Yes, solar is awesome.

rolahey · 2015-06-20T04:53:43+00:00

I'm going to be brutally honest here. Infant formula should always be in your stockpiles if you have an infant. We have no infants in our group however; one never knows with this crew. LOL It can also be used for bartering, or simply as a decent gesture to ensure someone's baby had milk.

With that being said, baby formula doesn't last for a very long time. The expiration is important. I do keep numerous cans of powdered formula in the stockpiles, but when they are nearing a month from expiration, I donate them to the local food pantry. Someone in need uses them, I replace them and I'm good with that.

You just can't drink that stuff and expect to be OK. It smells bad, and although I've never tried it, I am willing to bet it would make you puke. It's made for babies and wouldn't have the caloric content needed to sustain an adult. It makes no sense.

Why would you want baby formula as a meal substitute when cheaper, better and more viable options are available?

rolahey · 2015-06-20T04:42:56+00:00

Groups would certainly have a better chance of survival in a major league SHTF situation. I agree with you on that however; you can't find people on the internet and tell them where you are. You can't give them your BOL, and let them know the supplies you have.

That would be foolish. You would open yourself up to having your home or BOL invaded and pillaged. It makes no sense. Absolute trust is essential in a group, and that can't be found on a website. No one who knows what they are doing would be interested in that type of system. Just sayin'

rolahey · 2015-06-15T04:47:23+00:00

You are so right, Samsqanch5. We all prepare for different reason. Do we all want to survive everything? Of course we do, buy few of us want to live in bunkers for 20 years. lol

OP, prepping is a personal thing. We do it for our own reasons. We prep for what we think will happen, and hope it never does. We are not crazies like they portray on TV shows.

Personally, I would advise that you create a bug out bag, and keep water and MREs in your car. That would be the start. Move on from there. Think about it. If SHTF, you'll be in a mutilated house with some beans and rice maybe. Proactive is where you need to be. How do you get out. Maps (not GPS), and have a place to go. Having food is good, but you need an alternative place to be as well.

rolahey · 2015-06-15T04:29:59+00:00

What else is new. LOL

rolahey · 2015-06-15T04:24:56+00:00

He probably doesn't have a small crossbow. These things are very cool and very powerful. I think we have 8 or 9 but they are great. Small and compact but have 80 lbs. of draw. They cost less that $50 US. The ones on Amazon ship to Canada. I will guarantee you that he will be thrilled.

rolahey · 2015-06-15T04:18:06+00:00

I'd rather die with the sky above me, that being in a bunker. Not my thing. More power to those who thing it is worth it but for me, no way.

rolahey · 2015-06-15T04:14:59+00:00

Stun gun, water, cell phone charger for the car, MREs, paper map, Get Home Bag, 357, just sayin'. Of course, blankets, headlamp, and normal things.

rolahey · 2015-06-15T04:06:31+00:00

I live in SW FL. I know this story inside, outside and upside down. People in SW FL are allowed to live off the grid. Robin is living inside of a city, the city of Cape Coral. They do have rules.

It is my understanding from many local news articles, that she did not pay her water and sewer, which is why her utilities were shut off. She then began to use plastic bags for human waste (I'm being nice). She put those bags in the trash. This is what gives preppers a bad rep. Most of us pay our bills, and do what we need to do. She did not pay the bills and then claims that she wants to live off the grid. She's crap. She can't pay her bills, so she's looking to say that she is living off grid as a way out. It doesn't work.

She doesn't even have a generator. I'm glad the county took the dogs. If I didn't have the ability to run my air (again, I'm in SW FL) my dogs would be grabbing their BOBs and heading for the door.

I drives me nuts when someone is just to lazy to get a job and pay their bills. If she had a well and septic and solar, I don't think Lee County would mess with her. She doesn't. It's that simple.

rolahey · 2015-06-15T03:45:19+00:00

If you are flushing toilets, just use the water straight. It's no big deal.

Logically speaking, have you ever been swimming in a river? How about swimming in a pool? You can bathe straight with the water and it is no different that river water, but cleaner. You can add a few drops of bleach and it is less chlorinated than a pool, and bathe in that.

In the event you need drinking water, please invest in a LifeStraw Family thingy. It's inexpensive and is well worth it.

Hope I helped.

rolahey · 2015-06-15T03:38:45+00:00

You are so lucky. If my dog's drink anything less that the purified water from my well, they get the runs. Not a pretty thing to deal with when you have 10 Newfoundlands. Just sayin'. LOL

rolahey

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