What are the prepping basics?

[usmcveteran]

Interested in starting to do some prepping. I already have some useful items but I'm sure like most things in life you forget about the little things.

​​​​For NYS and our weather / climate in general where should someone start ?

Food storage?
Water storage?
Supplies and what kinds?

How much of all the above?

Looking to learn as much as I can.

[thughes]

Start with an honest risk assessment: What is the most likely scenario you will face (power outage, socked in by snow, etc)?, What is the likelihood of any of those scenarios actually happening?, What will the impact on you be?, What can you do to mitigate or prepare?

Stuff like civil unrest, economic collapse, etc. are cool to think about but let's face it.....not likely to happen as opposed to a blizzard locking you in your house for a week with no electric service. One thing to always having on-hand is cash.....a widespread power outage is going to take down the ATM's.

[24Pink14Stink]

What thug said. Although considering the economy, I'd add unemployment to the list as well.

Solve food and water first - 6 months or so, then build from there. Plan a garden for next year, or plant some garlic next month for a June harvest. Get to know what it feels like on a small scale.

Calories matter.

[BigJohnH]

We store food for up to a month 3 meals a day mostly canned goods, we have 100 gallons of water on washed out gallon milk jugs stored in panty, 850 gallons of fuel oil, 100gallons of gas for the generator, 2 cord of wood for the woodstove and fireplace. Just bought a 1954 Massey Furguson Tea20 which will run even through an emp issue. CB radio base station 110/ 12 volts and enough ammo and weapons to hold of anyone wanting any of it..

[thughes]

For the winter storm scenario I have canned food, dry goods, water, kerosene heaters, kerosene stove, and kerosene lamps, wind-up radio (AM/FM/WX, also has a flashlight and USB port to charge cell phone with), extra blankets, CO detector that runs on batteries (critical when heating with kerosene space heaters), HAM radio (that I WILL learn how to use someday!).

[usmcveteran]

How do you keep basement pipes from bursting if your without power? Is that where the heaters come in to play?

[thughes]

How do you keep basement pipes from bursting if your without power? Is that where the heaters come in to play?

Leave water running at a trickle from all faucets. Water supply to toilets would be about the only issue, maybe flush them several times a day to keep water moving through the pipes?

The heaters are to keep me warm.

[usmcveteran]

Ah yes the trickle , forgot about that! I have a fireplace granted not super efficient but I have the grate wall of fire and a back plate which really help push heat out into the room.

[BigJohnH]

I forgot the coal stove which is in the basement along with 6 ton of coal. That is convection so it won't heat the house on it's own but it will heat the basement where all the pluming, water and food are. We have been snowed in up here before so we have been prepared for that, barring any SHTF issues we are pretty good shape. PS hunting seasons go right out the window in the case of SHTF and there is a good deal of wild life out here.

[MilesTeg]

I'm in your same boat USMC. I feel like I need to get my butt in gear and start getting more just incase stuff. Like most everyone here money is a big deal and plays a big role on how and what you buy to prep. Me I have no extra money (saving to build a house). My current model is to keep the freezer, pantry and shelves full of food all the time. My guess is that this is at least 3 months of food, maybe 6 if its during growing weather or hunting season. The other main reason I haven't prepped more is my current location sucks, way to urban for my liking. I don't know if anyone has been to Turning Stone Casino, I can practically see it off my back porch. My short term plan is to keep stocking up on ammo and guns, get water straws for the whole family, buy some heirloom seeds that are canned with a 20 year shelf life and lastly start buying some long term food. Just small amounts of each enough not alert the wife what I'm doing. I think this about how every prepper starts slowly and see what works before diving in.

Long term- Build the new house. My new house will be located out in the backwoods on 5 acres surrounded by 90+ acres of family owned land. I plan on starting out with a house built solidly with self reliance in mind. I also am planning adding more functionality as money allows. I plan on spray foaming the whole damn house so you can heat the place with a candle. I also want to add a supplemental wood furnace in the basement. Also for heat I want to add a 2nd oil tank and rotate that to keep a healthy supply of heat if stuff goes down. I also want to come up with some sort of self power source. I hate solar, but that just might be my bias. I have a good area for wind, but I hear a lot of bad things about small wind turbines. Hydro might be an option, but would require a lot of land development on my fathers property. I think if anyone does do one of these types of powers you need to invest in a proper size battery bank and just sell the extra to the grid. If your selling all the power to the grid then I think your in a loosing proposition.

Food long term. This is touchy subject and is 100% situation base. Freeze dried is always nice but expensive. I want to be able to have a years worth for the family and go from there. I don't know if I'll ever reach that goal. Farming and live stock are important. I want to do more with a garden (I hate vegetables), but I see the benefit and need of one. I also want to have some laying chickens and want to explore raising meat chickens. I also want to make a small orchard. If you don't use the fruit you can always make wine or liquor from it. This is good for barter or fuel. I might also think about doing some rows of berries to better spread out the harvest season.

I don't know if anywhere in my incoherent rambling I answered your question. But I think the basics are food water and shelter. Start off getting enough to last out a week long storm. Move up to months worth of stuff, then go for 6 months. In my opinion if your good for 6 months you need to look into preps that are good for sustainability. If we see an event that brings normal life down for more than 6 months you need to be able to live a self sustainable life style.

[BigJohnH]

I just happened to think you might look into canning, it takes a bit of work but you can preserve food for some time. We did up our garden tomatoes and that is better than dried any day...

[Tony]

toilet paper...

[MilesTeg]

toilet paper...

LOL that is an on going joke with the wife's friends and family. I keep more toilet paper in our house than they have ever seen. When they ask why I tell them you might be OK without toilet paper but I'm not.

[masterswimmer]

LOL, you guys just broached the subject of why the Asians bow and don't shake hands

[24Pink14Stink]

How do you keep basement pipes from bursting if your without power? Is that where the heaters come in to play?

Short term - I have a trifuel generator. Hooked up to natural gas with options for propane and diesel as well. It can run the whole house if needed.