SHTF?

[JadeRaven]

Two years to replace the grid seems far fetched. If everything went out and all of the manpower, equipment etc stayed the same yeah maybe, but society adapts to accommodate needs.

In our capitalist world, people still want to make money even if the power is out. That means thousands more repair crews would be hired and a war-effort like commitment to building and shipping new power equipment would be in place, should such a need arise. Sure it would take time, definitely months, but not years. Less if it was just local events.

 

[AustinBR]

I will play devils advocate somewhat. If the grid is out its likely out by EMP...which means that all the other stuff it out too. Maybe two years is a bit far fetched for the very industrial areas...but for many parts I would think it could be even longer than two years.

--Sent From My Galaxy S4

 

[Nomad.2nd]

Two years to replace the grid seems far fetched. If everything went out and all of the manpower, equipment etc stayed the same yeah maybe, but society adapts to accommodate needs.

In our capitalist world, people still want to make money even if the power is out. That means thousands more repair crews would be hired and a war-effort like commitment to building and shipping new power equipment would be in place, should such a need arise. Sure it would take time, definitely months, but not years. Less if it was just local events.

Actually 18-24 months is what it takes to get materials NOW.
In the "unlikely to happen this year, but will some day" "fall of the roman/Greek/myan/Persian/now it's our turn" event at will happen at some point...

The grid is too interconnected, and too reliant on factories across the world, which get their materials from across the world.

Just like medical care during Katrina. We had plenty of medics, not enough materials.

if e grid goes down for 6 months....

It will never go up again.

Atleast not in any way any of us would recognize it.

Dp because most of America would be dead.

"one second after"
(amazon, amazon kindle, or a free download series on YouTube) breaks this down well.

Im not that worried about EMP (it could happen, but my spinal surgery WILL)
But another carrington event.... Will happen.

 

[nolaradio]

Stock up on toilet paper. Not only can you use it to clean the $hit off of the fan when it hits it, but you can use it when nature calls as well.

 

[JadeRaven]

Actually 18-24 months is what it takes to get materials NOW..

You're telling me if a local bank of transformers goes out, I'll be without power for 18-24 months?

 

[Nomad.2nd]

You're telling me if a local bank of transformers goes out, I'll be without power for 18-24 months?

No.

But there ARE larger transporters which... If they went down... Yes.

On the smaller level: there ARE spairs, but the number of spairs are limited.

We are literally working with a grid which has components from the 1920's... I learned about it getting my degree. It'll scare you.

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/06may_carringtonflare/

Something like that.... Is what I'm talking about.

 

[nolaradio]

As for making the best of what you have where you are, there is some good information over at www.bayouprepper.com on sustainability.

Looks like this site isn't around anymore.

Sent from Bayou Bunker Command Center, Portable #3, FEMA Region 6.

 

[MTregre]

Either way, this nation produces very little of the material and goods we consume. A situation like what we are discussing would be compounded by our enemies (yes we have them) turning a blind eye to our needs and sucking up the dead space we leave void. Hell the later is already happening.

 

[nolaradio]

Best SHTF / TEOTWAWKI book I've read to date is "Patriots."

It pretty much takes all the Get out of Dodge, prepper/survivalist strategies and presents it in a very realistic (believable) fictional story. There's so much information in this book that can be put to use now.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots_Novels_Series

I'm planning to reread it this summer.

It's been years since I've read a book, much less a series. I checked out this one from the library this past Thursday. Just finished chapter ten. If the rest in this series are this good, I think I'll be busy reading this summer.
Never knew it existed. Thanks for mentioning it.

Sent from Bayou Bunker Command Center, Portable #3, FEMA Region 6.

 

[Vermiform]

It's been years since I've read a book, much less a series. I checked out this one from the library this past Thursday. Just finished chapter ten. If the rest in this series are this good, I think I'll be busy reading this summer.
Never knew it existed. Thanks for mentioning it.

Sent from Bayou Bunker Command Center, Portable #3, FEMA Region 6.

We need a prepper fiction thread where we can recommend books.

When you are ready for a really good read, try the 299 days series.

 

[nolaradio]

We need a prepper fiction thread where we can recommend books.

When you are ready for a really good read, try the 299 days series.

I have those in my Amazon wish list. Now I just have to decide what to do after I finish Patriots. Do I continue with the series or do I start on the 299 Days books?


Took your suggestion and started that thread: http://www.bayoushooter.com/forums/showthread.php?127307-Prepper-reading-list

 

[denign]

what makes you "think" that people will work for nothing, man? if the power goes out, and stays out for a week and doesn't look like it's coming back anytime soon, you'll be using $100 bills for toilet tissue. The world won't regenerate, to our current level, for a century, if indeed it ever does. It might get to be late 1800's type in a few years, but that's all that's reasonable to expect and in the interim, 90-99% of the population will be dead. 10% will die within a month of the power going off. Think about that, 30 million dead bodies rotting, with starving dog packs feeding on them, causing all sorts of disease, people crazed by their losses, off their meds, towns all burning due to lack of water. It took ww2 5 years to generate 60 million, scattered all over the world, including our oceans.

 

[sloppy joe]

with no food in the store i figured 50% would be dead in 2 or 3 weeks tbh. at first killing each other for the bits left in stores then eating each other. i don't think it will take long.

could all these dead bodies pollute the mississippi?

 

[SMR412]

No matter how many ways I try to think of a solution to surviving (including my wife and young son) an extended SHTF event I arrive at not being able to sustain survival without a fairly large community working together HARD, UNSELFISHLY, to provide a way to sustain life.
Sadly, when you mention "surviving" or "prepping" many people look at you as if you're bat **** crazy.
I'm S-L-O-W-L-Y getting my wife to accept we may not always have things as "good" as we do now.
Most people around me are too concerned about beer and football to even consider the thought of the store being closed down.

 

[FD807]

All of this is good advice and it may have been said already but in a long term SHTF scenario the Lone Wolf wont make it you need a group of like minded people with different skill sets such as. Farming, medical, mechanical, weapons specialist and such.
Also in my opinion if the situation looks like its long term (2 weeks plus) or a nationwide issue such as EMP its time to get the heck away from concentrated population centers unless you have a hardened bunker and at least a platoon of infantry to hold it.
Also remember this if the EMP thing comes about most vehicles will not work so gonna be bugging out on foot with whatever you can carry or pull in a wagon