getting started

genwinters · 10-24-2007, 02:38 PM

I need help guys and gals. I have absolutely nothing besides a gerber folding knife and a swiss firestarter. please someone help me. i dont have any money, i have run dry.

ArkansasHunter · 10-24-2007, 03:01 PM

Are you kidding us ??? How much money do you need ??? Whats your situation ???
I'd like to know why you posted that...A.H

SilentSoul · 10-24-2007, 03:33 PM

Are you looking for a handout or just good ideas on some cheap survival gear?

genwinters · 10-24-2007, 06:51 PM

cheap survival gear, i dont expect handouts from anyone. i work for all my own stuff and i dont expect anything to be handed to me. i exaggerated slightly on the money situation and i apologize. i just need some ideas.

SilentSoul · 10-24-2007, 07:45 PM

Keep an eye out on cheaper than dirts website. There was a listing here a few months ago for some great wool survival blankets like 4 dollars each. I bought a couple they are great. Take a look at some of the bug out bags and what these guys keep in them. Start getting Cheaper than dirt and sportsmans guide to your mailbox. Stay away from Cabelas they are very high dollar. If you need a bad I suggest a decent Mollie pack, check out your local army surplus stores. And just like everything in life READ. Do a couple google searches for survival tips and what not. You would be surprised what you have at your house that work great in a bad situation.(Vaseline, Garbage bags,old Linen, cotton balls). Go to wal mart and spend four dollars on a magnesium fire starter. You will never have to worry about being cold and wet.
CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response Site

That should get you started if you have any others questions please ask.

damage855 · 10-24-2007, 08:01 PM

start with the basics food water and shelter. you can get many of these from websites or the camping section at wal-mart. most of my equipment is camping and/or military surplus. next time you go to the store buy some extra bottles or jugs of water then stash them in the house. then go to wal-mart and get some water purification tablets there only a couble bucks. later you can upgrade to a filtration pump like the one used for backpack camping. for food you can get some MREs or mountain house freeze dried food or something simuliar. but like someone said you will be suprised what you already have. look in you kitchen I am sure there is some caned food all you need to use it is a manual can opener.
The bottom line is start simple then build to the point that you feel you need and you are confortable with.

mos19k · 10-25-2007, 07:44 AM

The guys have already given you great advise. I've been in your shoes, I know what it's like to build up your preps on a tight budget. Always keep your eyes out for specials, 2 for 1 tuna or SPAM, estate sales, garage sales, the Goodwill store. You'd be surprised at some of the stuff you can find at your local second hand store.
If you're planning on staying put then food, water, a way to cook become priorities.
Food, as stated before look for specials, try to put aside $5 a week for your food fund. This will build up pretty quick and it will make you a frugal shopper.
Water, storage takes up space but it's more essential than anything else you'll need. Try to store water gallons and bleach bottles. If using bleach bottles make sure it's plain bleach, no scents or tints, don't rinse out the bottle. The residue of bleach will help purify the water you store in it.
Cooking, most likely you already have a source for cooking, either a BBQ grill or a Coleman stove. If you have nothing you can use four emergency candles bundled together place them inside an old coffee can with holes punched in the bottom to keep a good air supply. I've used this setup on many occasions, it works very well. Remember to cook in well ventilated areas and never use a grill or open flame inside the house.

aris_unlimited · 10-25-2007, 11:39 PM

for all those reminding people to keep water, if you lose power has anyone ever thought about opening up the hot water heater?

Should be full of water lol.

SilentSoul · 10-26-2007, 04:50 AM

Or the tank on your toilet as long as you don't use one of those blue disc things.

gunney_m · 10-26-2007, 06:02 AM

Sarco.com

SwedeSteve · 10-30-2007, 08:26 PM

beleve it or not....... lots of honey

mos19k · 10-31-2007, 09:15 AM

For water storage I really like the Waterbob, it goes inside your bathtub and holds a 100 gallons. Those who have waterbeds DO NOT drink that water. The plastic used in waterbeds is not of food grade material and can leech chemicals into the water that makes it undrinkable. If you plan on using your water heater as a water source, clean it once per year just to keep the particulate matter from forming inside.

teenagegunwacho · 01-02-2008, 08:50 PM

Knowledge is more important than your gear

two-70 · 01-02-2008, 09:04 PM

might think of hitting the army navy surplus and picking up some of those MRE's they will keep for a very long time if kept cool and dry

Father Time · 01-02-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teenagegunwacho

Knowledge is more important than your gear

That is the smartest statement I have ever seen on a survival forum.

stikbutter · 01-13-2008, 11:24 AM

I do alot of watching the specials. Cheaper than dirt Academy Sports puts out really good sales army surplus good will like was already posted amazing things. One mans junk is anothers treasure. Water is a big issue to store and carry takes alot of room. I have talked to friends to try and assemable a bug out plan. I figure their is saftey in numbers and supplies are easier to carry and more of them. But everybody thinks I'm !@#$ nuts. So its just me and my clan.

10-24-2007, 02:38 PM	#1
genwinters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 286	getting started I need help guys and gals. I have absolutely nothing besides a gerber folding knife and a swiss firestarter. please someone help me. i dont have any money, i have run dry.

10-24-2007, 08:01 PM	#6
damage855 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina / Lake Norman Posts: 822	start with the basics food water and shelter. you can get many of these from websites or the camping section at wal-mart. most of my equipment is camping and/or military surplus. next time you go to the store buy some extra bottles or jugs of water then stash them in the house. then go to wal-mart and get some water purification tablets there only a couble bucks. later you can upgrade to a filtration pump like the one used for backpack camping. for food you can get some MREs or mountain house freeze dried food or something simuliar. but like someone said you will be suprised what you already have. look in you kitchen I am sure there is some caned food all you need to use it is a manual can opener. The bottom line is start simple then build to the point that you feel you need and you are confortable with. __________________ If total goverment control will make us all safer, then why are prisons so dangerous?

10-25-2007, 11:39 PM	#8
aris_unlimited Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Payson, UT Posts: 82	for all those reminding people to keep water, if you lose power has anyone ever thought about opening up the hot water heater? Should be full of water lol. __________________ "Strength is not in numbers, it's in singular determination." Life Member NRA Life Member NAHC

10-30-2007, 08:26 PM	#11
SwedeSteve Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 6,928	beleve it or not....... lots of honey __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-02-2008, 09:04 PM	#14
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,755	might think of hitting the army navy surplus and picking up some of those MRE's they will keep for a very long time if kept cool and dry __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

10-24-2007, 03:01 PM	#2
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,178	Are you kidding us ??? How much money do you need ??? Whats your situation ??? I'd like to know why you posted that...A.H

10-24-2007, 03:33 PM	#3
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603	Are you looking for a handout or just good ideas on some cheap survival gear?

10-24-2007, 06:51 PM	#4
genwinters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 286	cheap survival gear, i dont expect handouts from anyone. i work for all my own stuff and i dont expect anything to be handed to me. i exaggerated slightly on the money situation and i apologize. i just need some ideas.

10-24-2007, 07:45 PM	#5
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603	Keep an eye out on cheaper than dirts website. There was a listing here a few months ago for some great wool survival blankets like 4 dollars each. I bought a couple they are great. Take a look at some of the bug out bags and what these guys keep in them. Start getting Cheaper than dirt and sportsmans guide to your mailbox. Stay away from Cabelas they are very high dollar. If you need a bad I suggest a decent Mollie pack, check out your local army surplus stores. And just like everything in life READ. Do a couple google searches for survival tips and what not. You would be surprised what you have at your house that work great in a bad situation.(Vaseline, Garbage bags,old Linen, cotton balls). Go to wal mart and spend four dollars on a magnesium fire starter. You will never have to worry about being cold and wet. CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response Site That should get you started if you have any others questions please ask.

10-25-2007, 07:44 AM	#7
mos19k Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Miami, Fl. Posts: 260	The guys have already given you great advise. I've been in your shoes, I know what it's like to build up your preps on a tight budget. Always keep your eyes out for specials, 2 for 1 tuna or SPAM, estate sales, garage sales, the Goodwill store. You'd be surprised at some of the stuff you can find at your local second hand store. If you're planning on staying put then food, water, a way to cook become priorities. Food, as stated before look for specials, try to put aside $5 a week for your food fund. This will build up pretty quick and it will make you a frugal shopper. Water, storage takes up space but it's more essential than anything else you'll need. Try to store water gallons and bleach bottles. If using bleach bottles make sure it's plain bleach, no scents or tints, don't rinse out the bottle. The residue of bleach will help purify the water you store in it. Cooking, most likely you already have a source for cooking, either a BBQ grill or a Coleman stove. If you have nothing you can use four emergency candles bundled together place them inside an old coffee can with holes punched in the bottom to keep a good air supply. I've used this setup on many occasions, it works very well. Remember to cook in well ventilated areas and never use a grill or open flame inside the house.

10-26-2007, 04:50 AM	#9
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603	Or the tank on your toilet as long as you don't use one of those blue disc things.

10-26-2007, 06:02 AM	#10
gunney_m Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Muskogee,Ok Posts: 1,931	Sarco.com

10-31-2007, 09:15 AM	#12
mos19k Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Miami, Fl. Posts: 260	For water storage I really like the Waterbob, it goes inside your bathtub and holds a 100 gallons. Those who have waterbeds DO NOT drink that water. The plastic used in waterbeds is not of food grade material and can leech chemicals into the water that makes it undrinkable. If you plan on using your water heater as a water source, clean it once per year just to keep the particulate matter from forming inside.

01-02-2008, 08:50 PM	#13
teenagegunwacho Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The South Posts: 121	Knowledge is more important than your gear

01-13-2008, 11:24 AM	#16
stikbutter Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Keystone Hieghts FL Posts: 325	I do alot of watching the specials. Cheaper than dirt Academy Sports puts out really good sales army surplus good will like was already posted amazing things. One mans junk is anothers treasure. Water is a big issue to store and carry takes alot of room. I have talked to friends to try and assemable a bug out plan. I figure their is saftey in numbers and supplies are easier to carry and more of them. But everybody thinks I'm !@#$ nuts. So its just me and my clan.

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