Am I a prepper?
Strap in - this one rambles more than that average post.
Yep, this is what I am talking about today. How did this come up one might ask — I don’t know the answer to that, but I am going to take a look at this concept and whether or not I am going to go build out a pit in my basement.
"It puts the lotion on it's skin or else it gets the hose again..."
I am not talking about this kind of pit in the basement - just FYI
First, lets address the issue of a catastrophic disaster occurring. What kind of disaster? I do not think you have to look too far to see that our country could be coming apart at the seams…perhaps a sequel to 1860-1864? That option is not as fun to talk about as it seems very plausible.
I think when things go pear-shaped it is only a matter of time before people begin to attempt to screw over other people - i.e. take their things and basically act like a pirate. This will happen faster when it is one group of people and their ideologies battling another group of people and their ideologies. If it was humanity versus a zombie apocalypse or the rise of Skynet, we would maybe stay together longer. Blue versus Red? At one another’s throats almost immediately.
Zombie apocalypse - easier. Zombies are not very smart as they are not self-aware. Their instinct is to eat brains or whatever. Moan and shamble off together. While they do pose a significant problem, especially in large groups, I feel as though they are lower on the ‘Oh no, we’re all going to die’ scale. One needs only to look at AMC’s The Walking Dead to get ideas for survival. (I am all about the RV - just saying) (oh - and getting a sword; vital piece of kit)
Skynet or the Rise of the Machines. All you have to do is think about how Siri or Alexa is always listening and some of the creepy stories about how it responds sometimes out of nowhere without being prompted and you realize that we are only steps away from a Terminator showing up at your door and asking if you are Sarah Connor. I find the concept of the robot uprising to be way higher on the ‘Oh no, we’re all going to die’ scale. I mean, they are self-aware which puts them ahead of zombies. Couple that with the analytical ability of an AI and the utter lack of emotions and we have death machines that are capable of out-thinking and out-everythinging us. Humanity better stay together a long time on this one, because Neo is not coming to save us.
Meteorite or comet impact. This one is easier and more difficult simultaneously. I mean the average person has zero ability to alter what might happen. It will be all about governments attempting to blow the thing up, etc. Stop singing I don’t want to miss a thing right now because Ben Affleck is not coming to save you. This one seems more like a clock ticking with no recourse. But once people realize that they only have X amount of time left, society probably begins to break down. Idiocracy anyone?
I did not think they would be this easy to find, but google ‘prepping bag’ and lots of options appear. So if you do not want to do any of your own thinking, check out the picture to the left.
Since I apparently am a DIYer when it comes to ‘bug out bags’ here is my list of items:
Tent - need a place to get out of the rain. Easy choice.
Windup radio - these are critical to finding out where the zombies are. Not as critical if the robots attack based on the fact that they would take over all thechnology. Could not trust a radio broadcast to be factual. Some of these radios also double as chargeable batteries intended to recharge other items such as phone or walkie-talkie.
Flashlight - duh
Envelope with all important documents - birth certificates, etc
Firearms - I would be satisfied with some manner of AR and a Glock 19.
Kabar knife - good enough for USMC, good enough for me
Clothes - several changes
Hygiene products - gotta brush your teeth at least some
MREs/H2O - this is troublesome as it is bulky and heavy. Perhaps a water filter would be better.
Bible - going to need to keep your spirits up and whats better?
Yes this is crazy, but is it crazy enough? This concept can come across as completely nuts and then after some thought seem existentially valuable. I do not know if I will ever have one, a prepper bag that is, but the worry is that planning ahead and not needing seems much better than being in need of one and not having one.
What would you put in your bag? What am I missing? What is ridiculous and needs to go?