May 02

Survival Communities

Survival Communities

I’m sure most of us have heard the dreaded words, “I’ll just come to your house” when trying to convert the masses to the advisability of prepping. How do you handle it? How do you choose who to help? Do you help your parents? Your in-laws? What about your ex-wife/husband? What about your ex’s new spouse? How about those 8 little boys that were spending the night at your house when the world as we knew it came to an end? Where do you draw the line?

My best advice is if the situation is short term- like a hurricane, tornado, loved ones injury or job loss. Help them all you can. Take them food. Loan out that generator that you’re not using. Share your garden skills. It may help change how they view prepping.

If it is TEOTWAWKI you may need to reevaluate.

I love my family. I love my husband’s family. They all own guns. Most of them hunt and garden. We’re country folk. They would be assets in an end of the world situation but I also know that I cannot Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 25

Children are…..

Children are ????

I really wanted to title this, these Children are Stupid but children and my son in particular are not stupid, they are just children. He’s actually very smart. However he is 14 and at this age they seem to be bound and determined to drive me to homicide. I say that because he is my 3rd and final teenager. Hubby and I also have two 18 year olds and our mantra has become…last one, he is the last one, the end is in sight, don’t strangle him and bury him in the backyard, we‘re almost there repeated until the desire to murder has passed.

The subject of this article is not actually about my son’s intelligence or his attempt to drive me to kill. It is about his ability to apply what he has been taught all of his life and my misconceptions.

We are a gun family. There is not a single place in my home where you cannot lay your hands on a gun in three steps. All of our children started handling guns at a very young age, my oldest couldn’t even sit up in her stroller the first time I took her shooting. The oldest two started with their BB guns at age two, 22 rifles at 4, pistols hunting rifles and bows at 7 and were hunting on their own around 9. Shotguns were a bit different for them because of their size differences (a girl and a boy). Our youngest is 5 years younger than the older two. He got a bit of an advanced course because he was following behind his siblings. He knocked out his first four baby teeth learning to shoot an AK-47 from a prone position. He was doing wonderfully with it when at the last second he turned his head and placed his mouth against the butt as he pulled the trigger. He never cried, he just got up, walked over to me, spat four tiny little teeth into my hand and said, “That hurt. I not do that no more.” and asked if he could shoot it again. They have all received their Hunter Safety Certifications and excel at marksmanship.

Hubby and I have drilled gun safety into their heads. REPEATEDLY!!! We were considerate parents when the kids were small and wanted to have sleepovers we always informed the other children’s parents that we had guns in our home. We always reviewed the safety rules with Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 13

Good Samaritan or Victim Volunteer

by rebelgirl

Good Samaritan or Victim Volunteer

Have the times changed or have we? Are people meaner and more vicious then they used to be or are we just more aware and less trusting? I have memories of my grandfather offering rides to strangers or even bringing them home to his family for a meal. I can remember him doing business deals with nothing but a handshake and a man’s word. That’s right no lawyers no de facto Latin legal language that you have no chance of understanding with out your own law degree. Just a handshake and a promise. Was my grandfather ever ripped off? Probably…if he was I never heard about it and it never stopped him from doing business that way. Did that make him naïve or was he just good at reading people and their intentions? Is it just a case of the generational gap?

Estimated crime in United States-Total
Violent Crime Rates
Crime rate per 100,000 population
Year        Population     Violent Crime    Murder    Rape    Robbery   Aggravated Assault
1960       179,323,175      160.9                5.1         9.6         60.1              86.1
1970       203,235,298      363.5                7.9        18.7       172.1            164.8
1980       225,349,264      596.6               10.2       36.8       251.1            298.5
1990       249,464,396      729.6                9.4        41.1       256.3            422.9
2000       281,421,906      506.5                5.5        32.0       145.0            324.0
2010       308,745,538      403.6                4.8        27.5       119.1            252.3

Notes: National or state offense totals are based on data from all reporting agencies and estimates for unreported areas. United States-Total -
The 168 murder and nonnegligent homicides that occurred as a result of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995 are included in the national estimate.
The 2,823 murder and nonnegligent homicides that occurred as a result of the events of September 11, 2001, are not included in the national estimates.
Sources: FBI, Uniform Crime Reports as prepared by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data

While the population hasn’t even doubled; violent crime rates, rape, and aggravated assault have all almost tripled. In the good news department, your chance of being murdered has Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 09

How I became a Prepper

by rebelgirl

This is my story of how I became a Prepper. Let me give you a little history here. I’ve always been a country girl and I grew up being the only girl in a family of all boy cousins. I can remember learning to skin squirrels and rabbits by tying their legs onto my swing set. I loved running the woods, I played softball, I did every event a girl could do in a rodeo (and I worked the chutes for the guys events) and I loved riding my horse and pawpaw’s 3 wheeler. I didn’t get to hunt cause guns were a boy thing and the only time I got to go fishing I came back with 2nd degree sunburn on the top of my head (Daddy forgot to pack me a cap and I had white blonde hair). When I got married for the first time (3 days after my 18th birthday), Grandpa took me to a local store, bought me a little .22 semi-automatic pistol and a box of bullets, and told me to learn to use it. That was my intro course to Read the rest of this entry »

Mar 29

Prepper Meetup Groups in Louisiana

 

Map of all American Preppers Network and Partner meetup groups.

Scroll past the map for a listing.


View American Preppers Network Meetups in a larger map
Shreveport
http://www.meetup.com/ShreveportPreppers/

Mar 24

Let’s get started

by CCCooper

Once you are of the mindset that preparing or living a prepared life is necessary, you must first do a self-assessment.

This entails an honest evaluation of you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Ask yourself about your health, your mental makeup, and your specific reasons that you are preparing. Most people have their family as their number one reason for getting started on the journey. What is yours?

So, now you are ready for the actual preparing “STUFF”. Be advised that this will take some dedication on your part. You MUST become a reader if not one already. You MUST become organized, if not so already. Now, we all know there are different levels of preparedness, organization, and mental mindset, but starting the journey is the first step.

Take stock. What exactly do you have on-hand? Water, Food, Medicines, First Aid Stuff, Tools, Sturdy boots, and well-made clothing. Security Items, Knowledge stored in the form of books, binders, print-outs, etc.

Once you have a good idea of where you are, then you can get a good idea of where you want to be. Some people use the buy 2 method. This is simply buying 2 items that you use on a regular basis rather than 1. Stocks are rotated in the FIFO method. (First in; first out) Other folks have a separate savings jar for specific items. They save up over a period of time and make purchases on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. Some people use a combination of the two methods.

Storage of your “STUFF” must be addressed early on. Where will you put the extras? A well-stocked pantry is wonderful, but your ultimate goal should be a well-stocked HOUSE. Take steps early on to organize your stuff for efficient use. Cabinets, shelving units, storage containers, root cellars, basements, and room additions where possible are all ideas to consider.

OK, now that you’ve started down that road, there is one very important thing to consider. OPERATIONAL SECURITY.

Do not share with the world around you that you are prepping’. Do not explain to the clerk at the big box store or Sam’s Club that you are prepping’. Do not let everyone on your street know that you have EXTRA ANYTHING! Be very careful who you DO share this info with. Your life and the life of your family may depend on it.

Proud 3%er
He who is not prepared today is even less so tomorrow.

Feb 08

Time to prep for spring

With the mild winter we are experiencing now is a great time to get ready for spring.Pleasant weather to get the soil ready in the garden,equipment maintenance,& odd jobs around the house.I don’t waste my time watching tv or parting,I know when hurricane season comes I will be ready, not running around like a chicken with my head cut off.Supplies are available now,Plants are becoming available so it’s time to get it done.Now is not the time to be lazy,get your work done now, besides we know something will come up that we didn’t count on and if your work is done you can get it taken care of promptly without putting off necessary task.get prepping while the time is right or get left behind………..

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Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Louisiana Forum at www.LouisianaPreppersNetwork.net

Feb 01

Uncomfortable or Complacent?

By CCCooper

By now, most of you have come to know that 99.99% of my posts are about prepping, getting mentally and physically ready to deal with as many different situations or scenarios that may happen.

I’ve posted about the why’s and why nots. I’ve shared lists, other websites, articles on finance, the federal government, economics, delivery systems, natural disasters, etc… The list is long and varied.

I have come to a few conclusions that I would like to share.

1. Most people are clueless. The very large majority out there are consumed with their day to day routine (rut) and 2 weeks vacation a year. Haven’t been taught to expect anything else. 40-50 hrs a week.Livin’ check to check. Yet, cable TV, 2 cars, credit card debt, big screen TV, latest smart phone, and 2 days worth of food in their house. Sound familliar?

2. Some people are “almost” prepared. Through blind luck, good parents, or geographical location, these people have some sense and deep down are troubled in ways that they can’t explain.

3. A smaller number of people are awake and aware yet are still struggling with a full commitment to preparing for the future. They are hesitant and seem to be taking a long time to get fully on board. They have moments of clarity and realize that they are behind the power curve and start to take steps to correct their situation. They are well read and understand clearly the need and necessity, just can’t seem to make that final leap.

4. There is another group out there that seem to make it their mission in life to refute the obvious. “Its Bushes Fault” “The Republicans are the problem” “They (the government) won’t allow a collapse to happen” “We are just in a slump; Its getting better” “I’m doing OK so everything else is OK, too” “If the Rich would just pay their fair share” “Obama just needs 4 more years”. Yes, to me it is delusion of the highest order, but they are out there.

5. Another group is the one that is similar to the OWS protesters, but less motivation. College students across the nation are mostly unemployed and extremely clueless. And, they have quasi-socialist ideas and ideals.Self-explanatory.

6. Then, there is the group out there that seems to be in the minority. Those that know the Constitution, have READ the Constitution. People that truly understand the meaning of Freedom and Liberty. Folks that are self-reliant,understand personal responsibility, and realize that change of the worst kind is headed our way. “What you know, you can’t explain. But you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life. That there’s something wrong. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there. Like a splinter in your mind — driving you mad.” These people never hesitated to take the Red Pill

Jan 30

Can Openers – Conventional Wisdom Is Wrong

By daaswampman

Can Openers – Conventional Wisdom Is Wrong

How many times have I read on Prepper sites about how important it is to have an all metal can opener. They generally go on about how durable they are and how they will last forever. I have seen this miracle advertised in many Prepper catalogs for around ten dollars. All are about the same, all metal, swing arm and opens the top of the can. This conventional and accepted wisdom is wrong.

A conventional can opener opens by cutting the metal lid through the top. Yes we should always wash the can before opening and the can opener between uses, but could you in an emergency? The top is generally the dirtiest part of the can as it easily collects dust and anything else that may have been on it. The blade usually contacts the cans contents as the can is being opened and the sharp edged lid falls in. The can opener itself is not easily cleaned between uses due to the blade and gears. Ever consider what might be getting into your food such as metal shavings or coatings that have been applied to the inside or outside of the can?

In the 1980’s they came out with a side can opener or sometimes called a smooth edge can opener the eliminates all of these problems. It cuts from the side of the can (usually cleaner). The blade does not contact the food and the lid cannot fall into the can. Costs less than ten dollars at Wally World.

I have not seen an all metal one, but my first one is perhaps 25 years old and still works perfectly – black plastic and all. It may not survive a direct blast, 20 years in direct sunlight or dampness, but neither will any cans. It is always a good idea to have several backups. I have two side openers and an old top opener in each location.

This is a case where they built a better mousetrap and nobody noticed. DaaSwampman

Jan 23

Awakening to Awareness

By CCCooper

It has been said that the first step to solving a problem is admitting that you have one. OK.
Problem. My house may burn down. I research and compare prices and service. I buy Homeowners insurance in case my house burns. One step better. I also have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. I also have a plan to get everyone out of the house and a specific rally point where we will all meet to get a head count. Problem. Addressed. Plan implemented and known by all. Worked out great. Most folks would whole heartedly agree with the above statements, right? Now I present another problem. I may have a need one day to protect my family. Possibly an intruder, a wild animal, a looter, a riot, a carjacker, etc. You get the point. Some person or thing that will willingly harm my family or loved ones. Solution? Mine is a gun. I practice to become proficient. I inform my family. I practice some more. And remember, when seconds count, a policeman will be there to protect and serve in a few minutes. I also improved on this plan. So, I am ready to protect my family in time of need.

The same analogy works with Health Insurance, Car Insurance, etc.

Problem. Our delivery systems are fragile. Food prices keep rising. The dollar is no longer worth a dollar. The Federal Government routinely ignores the Constitution. Entitlement programs are out of control. More than 50% of Americans are on some form of Government Assistance. The national debt is over 15 TRILLION DOLLARS. The chance of an economic collapse or other disaster is very high. Solution? Research is needed. A plan to address potential or likely scenarios. The basics must be covered. Beans, Bullets, Bandaids. How will I feed my family if there is no access to a grocery store? Where will I get water if it no longer comes from the tap? How will I see in the dark if the electricity is out for a long period of time?

The research will lead you to websites and books on many different subjects. With the proper mindset, you will learn to look at your life, and responsibilities, in a much different light.
Problem addressed. The solution will be on-going. The size and scope of your preperations will grow over time. Ask questions, but to the right people. Utilize the American Prepper Network and its forums on many topics and subject matter. Congratulations. The journey as an awake and aware prepper is just begining.

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