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Off Grid Survival Thread: The What If?

Some of these tips are also relevant in preparation for a CME taking down the power grid and the resulting civil unrest. We are in a 11 year maximum with the peak in 2025. I was talking about the possibility of a Carrington level event and being prepared with a friend. Here are some links.


 
Where is a good, trusted source for military MRE's (either online or local to the Jacksonville, NC area)? Is around $10 per MRE the going price for them? I'm slowly building my inventory of things to be prepared for the collapse. I'm now armed, have solar/crank radio, have some emergency food, ClO2, KIO3, water straw, fire starters, and normal bottled water/food stocked. I'm trying to think of other things that I could use, like an emergency stove (I do have a gas grill now, but want a portable option in the event I need to bug out), solar battery power (it's pricey, which is tough for me right now with my budget), and some other things I may not be thinking of right now. I do want to get more food and water options though with the food shortage coming so fast (it's scary), so if there are good MRE options, I'd appreciate any insight on getting more of those. I like eating them actually, so if I don't need them, I'll nom them down.
 
Where is a good, trusted source for military MRE's (either online or local to the Jacksonville, NC area)? Is around $10 per MRE the going price for them? I'm slowly building my inventory of things to be prepared for the collapse. I'm now armed, have solar/crank radio, have some emergency food, ClO2, KIO3, water straw, fire starters, and normal bottled water/food stocked. I'm trying to think of other things that I could use, like an emergency stove (I do have a gas grill now, but want a portable option in the event I need to bug out), solar battery power (it's pricey, which is tough for me right now with my budget), and some other things I may not be thinking of right now. I do want to get more food and water options though with the food shortage coming so fast (it's scary), so if there are good MRE options, I'd appreciate any insight on getting more of those. I like eating them actually, so if I don't need them, I'll nom them down.
I've gotten food from this place.


Comes in buckets that are sealed so it's easy to handle and it ships to your door.. I need to figure something out for water that's my only issue that I have left to figure out.
 
I've gotten food from this place.


Comes in buckets that are sealed so it's easy to handle and it ships to your door.. I need to figure something out for water that's my only issue that I have left to figure out.
Thanks! What are you looking for as far as water? Mass filtration or personal filtration like a water straw (or the like)? Look into Chlorine Dioxide too! It's very versatile and is a great water purification substance (and it's even beneficial for your health in proper consumption).
 
Thanks! What are you looking for as far as water? Mass filtration or personal filtration like a water straw (or the like)? Look into Chlorine Dioxide too! It's very versatile and is a great water purification substance (and it's even beneficial for your health in proper consumption).
I feel like water is my blind spot I really didn't know what to do... I have a water straw.. but I feel like I need to store water I just don't have much room and I'm traveling all the time with work so it's hard for me just to make myself do it. I guess I should just get a few cases of water, and I'll look into that chlorine dioxide. Thanks for the info. I've got enough MREs and canned food to last about 2 months.
 
Yeah, water is something you definitely have to be mindful of. That's why I brought up ClO2. You can get large storage containers of water and add ClO2 to keep it potable for long periods of time since it is a powerful disinfectant. I usually have 10+ cases of water on hand at any one time and rotate them as I drink them to keep the storage time down. I also keep store bought gallons of distilled water on hand as well (I've heard distilled is the way to go for longer term storage life, but am not sure).
 
I'll give you all some solid survival advice and Ive gone through it all in the military. Everything you need you already have in your house. If you are able to prepare for a week without power you are fine. If anything bad enough happens that you need boxes of MRE's and water gadgets you better be invested in "friends".......
 
I feel like water is my blind spot I really didn't know what to do... I have a water straw.. but I feel like I need to store water I just don't have much room and I'm traveling all the time with work so it's hard for me just to make myself do it. I guess I should just get a few cases of water, and I'll look into that chlorine dioxide. Thanks for the info. I've got enough MREs and canned food to last about 2 months.
UV works well as long as the water is clear.


In a grid goes down type deal, you will have about two days to collect municipal water before the tanks run dry. Now this doesn’t apply in a natural disaster where the water mains are affected.
 
I'll give you all some solid survival advice and Ive gone through it all in the military. Everything you need you already have in your house. If you are able to prepare for a week without power you are fine. If anything bad enough happens that you need boxes of MRE's and water gadgets you better be invested in "friends".......
I certainly appreciate your perspective and thank you for your service to our country. I'm more concerned about long term food supply issues with the mass fertilizer shortages, wheat shortages, etc which will affect our food growth, and more importantly, animal feed for meat supplies. Chickens and other poultry are "magically" being culled due to some "avian flu" that is nonexistent. Food plants are all burning down at the same time for some reason. Countries are now stopping exports of commodities to protect their citizens' supplies. For example, Indonesia just halted the export of palm oil to the world in order to preserve their domestic supply (if you're not familiar with palm oil, it is in tons of our food, so this is a big deal). Hungary is halting wheat exports to protect its domestic supply. Countries are isolating and protecting themselves because they see what's happening. Most people here are too busy watching House Hunters or some crap to even realize the dire situation we are in. That's why I want long term food supplies....not for some sudden natural or man made disaster.
 
I certainly appreciate your perspective and thank you for your service to our country. I'm more concerned about long term food supply issues with the mass fertilizer shortages, wheat shortages, etc which will affect our food growth, and more importantly, animal feed for meat supplies. Chickens and other poultry are "magically" being culled due to some "avian flu" that is nonexistent. Food plants are all burning down at the same time for some reason. Countries are now stopping exports of commodities to protect their citizens' supplies. For example, Indonesia just halted the export of palm oil to the world in order to preserve their domestic supply (if you're not familiar with palm oil, it is in tons of our food, so this is a big deal). Hungary is halting wheat exports to protect its domestic supply. Countries are isolating and protecting themselves because they see what's happening. Most people here are too busy watching House Hunters or some crap to even realize the dire situation we are in. That's why I want long term food supplies....not for some sudden natural or man made disaster.
For years I've been adding Mountain House foods to orders, whether it's like Amazon or Walmart grocery pickup. I have tons of it now. The funny thing is there are some I actually really like and will eat when camping etc. So either way it will never go to waste. They are good for like 20-30 years.
 
For years I've been adding Mountain House foods to orders, whether it's like Amazon or Walmart grocery pickup. I have tons of it now. The funny thing is there are some I actually really like and will eat when camping etc. So either way it will never go to waste. They are good for like 20-30 years.
It's just good to have. If anything happens I honestly think it would be two to three weeks max, and worst case scenario it could be worse. I don't know. Who would have ever thought we would have a pandemic like we just had. That's exactly what I told myself If I never use the MREs I'll be able to use it when I go camping etc.
 
I certainly appreciate your perspective and thank you for your service to our country. I'm more concerned about long term food supply issues with the mass fertilizer shortages, wheat shortages, etc which will affect our food growth, and more importantly, animal feed for meat supplies. Chickens and other poultry are "magically" being culled due to some "avian flu" that is nonexistent. Food plants are all burning down at the same time for some reason. Countries are now stopping exports of commodities to protect their citizens' supplies. For example, Indonesia just halted the export of palm oil to the world in order to preserve their domestic supply (if you're not familiar with palm oil, it is in tons of our food, so this is a big deal). Hungary is halting wheat exports to protect its domestic supply. Countries are isolating and protecting themselves because they see what's happening. Most people here are too busy watching House Hunters or some crap to even realize the dire situation we are in. That's why I want long term food supplies....not for some sudden natural or man made disaster.
I agree 100% but you cant eat MRE's and prepper food forever. Now is the time to invest in growing your own supply. I have farming land so its easy for me but it's not that easy for a lot of people hence my comment about "friends". Its time to invest in relationships with like minded individuals who see things the way we do
 
I agree 100% but you cant eat MRE's and prepper food forever. Now is the time to invest in growing your own supply. I have farming land so its easy for me but it's not that easy for a lot of people hence my comment about "friends". Its time to invest in relationships with like minded individuals who see things the way we do
Definitely becoming more serious in our house in growing our own food. Always had a garden, but it’s time to get to doing it right.
 
Definitely becoming more serious in our house in growing our own food. Always had a garden, but it’s time to get to doing it right.
Not sure how large a garden you are able to grow but if you can get chickens as well you can split the garden into 2 halves, fenced in with netting overhead to keep hawks out. A divider in the middle keeps the chickens out of the garden. Grow your summer food on one side while the chickens fertilize the other side for a fall garden. As you rotate each season the chickens are always fertilizing one side of the garden for you....plus you get eggs!
 
Not sure how large a garden you are able to grow but if you can get chickens as well you can split the garden into 2 halves, fenced in with netting overhead to keep hawks out. A divider in the middle keeps the chickens out of the garden. Grow your summer food on one side while the chickens fertilize the other side for a fall garden. As you rotate each season the chickens are always fertilizing one side of the garden for you....plus you get eggs!
That is actually the plan. Right now we are working on growing one side, but we had chickens in a tractor and our potbelly pig in her fence on the other. That is until our duck hatched out her brood and now they are in the tractor temporarily. Crazy as it sounds our pig will kill Bermuda grass which is absolutely wonderful.
 
Not sure how large a garden you are able to grow but if you can get chickens as well you can split the garden into 2 halves, fenced in with netting overhead to keep hawks out. A divider in the middle keeps the chickens out of the garden. Grow your summer food on one side while the chickens fertilize the other side for a fall garden. As you rotate each season the chickens are always fertilizing one side of the garden for you....plus you get eggs!
Great idea if you have the space, wish I did (still trying to purchase piece of land right next door but guy is crazy, long story lol). Anyway for now when we clean out our goat barn and chicken coups, I use that in my compost pile, which has been used to build up my raised garden beds and added to the little space I have behind my barn for gardening. No better fertilizer oh and I haven't bought eggs in 2 years!
That is actually the plan. Right now we are working on growing one side, but we had chickens in a tractor and our potbelly pig in her fence on the other. That is until our duck hatched out her brood and now they are in the tractor temporarily. Crazy as it sounds our pig will kill Bermuda grass which is absolutely wonderful.
Yeah my brother has chicken tractors to move them around, works great.
 
Great idea if you have the space, wish I did (still trying to purchase piece of land right next door but guy is crazy, long story lol). Anyway for now when we clean out our goat barn and chicken coups, I use that in my compost pile, which has been used to build up my raised garden beds and added to the little space I have behind my barn for gardening. No better fertilizer oh and I haven't bought eggs in 2 years!

Yeah my brother has chicken tractors to move them around, works great.
My plan is to move in with you in event of civilization collapse. You need a good young strong man to help out on the farm! When can I move in? I am a quick learner and can grow.
 
I live on the beach, so I guess I'd have to build a soil box to grow food...or could do it hydroponically. I do rent where I'm at, so I don't have the option to do anything to the house....although the couple that owns the beach house would probably not mind. That's a challenge for me though. I get the point about "friends" now. My parents live nearby in the same beach town, but I doubt my moms would want a box garden lol.
 
I live on the beach, so I guess I'd have to build a soil box to grow food...or could do it hydroponically. I do rent where I'm at, so I don't have the option to do anything to the house....although the couple that owns the beach house would probably not mind. That's a challenge for me though. I get the point about "friends" now. My parents live nearby in the same beach town, but I doubt my moms would want a box garden lol.
With the direction this country is headed, who you align with could make a difference during any kind of short, mid or longterm crisis. I hate to see it in America but it is what it is. You put yourself and your family first. At 51 years old I would go back to fight for my country in a second but man have things changed. The countries attitude when I went to war was something I'll never forget. The attitude when I retired in 2017 is something I want to forget. I hope all you younger folks are paying close attention to what's going on in front of your eyes
 
Great idea if you have the space, wish I did (still trying to purchase piece of land right next door but guy is crazy, long story lol). Anyway for now when we clean out our goat barn and chicken coups, I use that in my compost pile, which has been used to build up my raised garden beds and added to the little space I have behind my barn for gardening. No better fertilizer oh and I haven't bought eggs in 2 years!

Yeah my brother has chicken tractors to move them around, works great.

Check out Foundation’s for Farming. It’s the current model we are using. Really good principles for taking what God gives us and getting incredible results.


As far as Chicken tractors go, I think I’m gonna build the next one out of schedule 80 pvc. Our dog protects against predators, so the pvc will make it really easy to move.
 
Check out Foundation’s for Farming. It’s the current model we are using. Really good principles for taking what God gives us and getting incredible results.


As far as Chicken tractors go, I think I’m gonna build the next one out of schedule 80 pvc. Our dog protects against predators, so the pvc will make it really easy to move.
Great Pyrenees?
 
Great Pyrenees?
Yep mixed with German shepherd. He is mostly worthless as far as people go(besides looking ferocious) but he does a good job keeping away critters. We had his sister too, but she disappeared around four months ago.

In the process of finding another, but the price of them has went through the roof. We could find full blood Pyrenees everywhere for $100-150, but now you can’t find any under $500.
 
Folks, step up your "preps", ASAP..
I got "lucky" and got some chicks on sale, Leg horn, egg layers, @.50 cents each,, I bought 10..
Check your local TS, they have them "On-Sale" time to time..
I pray We don't get a Dose of Canned Sunshine, in the near future..

I Do have a few abit small raised bed Box Garden , though way to small to make a dent in surviving (healthy)..
Though have enough foods stored to last a few Months..
Of course living (almost) on the sound & next to Holly Shelter Gamelands will Help.. Seafood & Local Wild Life.
 
Folks, step up your "preps", ASAP..
I got "lucky" and got some chicks on sale, Leg horn, egg layers, @.50 cents each,, I bought 10..
Check your local TS, they have them "On-Sale" time to time..
I pray We don't get a Dose of Canned Sunshine, in the near future..

I Do have a few abit small raised bed Box Garden , though way to small to make a dent in surviving (healthy)..
Though have enough foods stored to last a few Months..
Of course living (almost) on the sound & next to Holly Shelter Gamelands will Help.. Seafood & Local Wild Life.
If you can find local farmers that sell chickens (I've got 2 around here, my brother happens to be one lol) I'd certainly go that route. Have to be careful with chickens from TSC, don't always have the best survivability rate. Also if you can put a small greenhouse around those raised garden beds, good chance of some food year round.
 
Folks, step up your "preps", ASAP..
I got "lucky" and got some chicks on sale, Leg horn, egg layers, @.50 cents each,, I bought 10..
Check your local TS, they have them "On-Sale" time to time..
I pray We don't get a Dose of Canned Sunshine, in the near future..

I Do have a few abit small raised bed Box Garden , though way to small to make a dent in surviving (healthy)..
Though have enough foods stored to last a few Months..
Of course living (almost) on the sound & next to Holly Shelter Gamelands will Help.. Seafood & Local Wild Life.
My farm would always be choice #1 (Im very lucky in that respect) but if I had to bug out and live off the land I would be eastbound all day long. Now if I had to hide........lol, I could make it in the hills just fine. When we go through SERE training we got a dose of both
 
Rate my survival plan:
Say we end up in a nuclear war with Russia, and a nuclear weapon detonates in Atlanta, something around the 100kt range. Assuming I'm not working at the hospital in the city (I'd probably be vaporized in an instant, not a bad way to go I guess, compared to the other outcomes in a nuclear blast), I'll probably be north of town in the suburbs at home or whatever.
First thing I'd do is jump into the car and drive north on 400. Meet with my friends in Dahlonega at our rendezvous point which is Wal-Mart. Raid it. Then we drive off into the mountains and break into a cabin and hide out there till either we die, we eat each other and die, or the world ends and we die.
How's that?
 
Rate my survival plan:
Say we end up in a nuclear war with Russia, and a nuclear weapon detonates in Atlanta, something around the 100kt range. Assuming I'm not working at the hospital in the city (I'd probably be vaporized in an instant, not a bad way to go I guess, compared to the other outcomes in a nuclear blast), I'll probably be north of town in the suburbs at home or whatever.
First thing I'd do is jump into the car and drive north on 400. Meet with my friends in Dahlonega at our rendezvous point which is Wal-Mart. Raid it. Then we drive off into the mountains and break into a cabin and hide out there till either we die, we eat each other and die, or the world ends and we die.
How's that?
Approved
 
If you can find local farmers that sell chickens (I've got 2 around here, my brother happens to be one lol) I'd certainly go that route. Have to be careful with chickens from TSC, don't always have the best survivability rate. Also if you can put a small greenhouse around those raised garden beds, good chance of some food year round.
We’ve actually had better luck with TSC chicks and ducks than Murray Mcmurray.

TSC has great sales on chickens. We grabbed Cornish cross from them for like a quarter a piece last year.
 
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