How long before things go south if the SHTF?

[miguel]

If a large enough group wants what you have, you aren't going to stop them.

James Yoo did.

 

[miguel]

I remember a guy or two on the INGO, long ago, whose SHTF plan was to murder and rob his fellow INGOistas. For some reason the mods of the day banned him.

Don't all the "true crime" TV shows indicate the perp is very often someone you know for the most heinous of crimes?

 

[Cynical]

So many variable to define a reliable timeline until chaos is reached. But when the snowball does start to roll, it's going to accelerate at a per second per second rate. The best I can do is hold on and trust in the preps I've made. Having said that, I'm not so sure it's gonna be hoardes of roaming baddies that I should be most prepared for. The "authorities" that show up to "help" may well be the greatest threat. You think a Governor is gonna go hungry when he has access to backup comms, armed cops, force multipliers and "law" on his side?

Those up-thread that poo-poo preppers, and prepping in general, seem to think of prepping as an object, can of beans, bucket of bullets, etc. True prepping is more a lifestyle and mindset, imperfect though it may be.

That’s a good way to explain it. I taught my girls you don’t have to be afraid if your prepared. Be it a thunder storm” we have shelter” the lights go off there is a magnetic flashlight attached to everything we own. You can’t fill every niche you’ll need because there are so many variables. But you can try to mitigate the pain you will feel if you try and head it off. I prep for a flat tire on a road trip, have an inflator and tire plugs. Is that paranoid or just being prepared. I’ve carried band aids in my wallet for 20 plus years, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dispensed them at football games, family functions etc. Everybody always asks, does anybody have a band-aid and I raise my hand. You summed it up perfectly, it’s a lifestyle.

 

[Brambo]

It doesn't take an education or preparedness to be a criminal.
And the preppers aren't prepared for what those people are capable of.
The preppers aren't "too smart" either, or they would be standing up against everything that's happening to prevent it, instead of prepping for what's to come.

Defeatist attitude. You be you brother, I pray you're not my neighbor.

 

[Mij]

Defeatist attitude. You be you brother, I pray you're not my neighbor.

To quote a TV character actor “not cool”, he can be my neighbor anytime.

Free room n board. In the small barn. I’ll furnish practice ammo.

I’ve seen his 300 yard targets. . . …..

 

[MRP2003]

Play along with me.

Say tomorrow the SHTF nation wide, how long do you think you have before life gets crazy. We are not nuked and it is not a comet strike.

Several of the books I have recently read the whole country goes mad max in one or two days and even travel from just 200 miles away to get home is almost impossible. I'm not doing a poll because that limits the answers.

My belief holds that it will take 3 or 4 days for crazy stuff to start and feral human actions. There are alway exceptions to things being crazy from the start, but what do you think?

To be honest, people did well during Covid and that is part of my thinking that things will not go south immediately.

The farther you live from a major city, the better off you will be and the longer it will take for you to be impacted by all the issues. Ppl close or in major cities are more dependent.

 

[cg21]

People survive with a lot less. you can take squirrels, salt them, and end up with somewhat usable food. Most modern preps aren't required for life, but they sure make it more comfortable. Having food and water helps, but a can do attitude and grit makes almost anything possible. I am of a more delicate constitution than my ancestors, and really enjoy my refrigeration. Solar power isn't indispensable, but man do I like it.

It offends me the way you talk about squirrels.

 

[blain]

But you can try to mitigate the pain you will feel if you try and head it off. I prep for a flat tire on a road trip, have an inflator and tire plugs. Is that paranoid or just being prepared.

I haven't had a flat tire in decades. So yes, I would have to deem your "preparedness" as paranoia.
People these days are just too skittish and afraid of their own shadow.
In the 61 years I've been living, I've never lived in, or owned, a house that has burned down or been destroyed by a natural disaster.
In all that time, my life has never been in danger from another person.
Come on preppers... relax.

 

[TrackRabbit]

March 5 2020: flew to San Diego to visit daughter.
3/9: in San Diego, saw people in masks. Everyone talking about a weird flu bug, Covid known but not seeing fear.
3/10: Flew (packed flight) to Chicago O’Hare then home in The Region. Went to grocery, store was packed and picked over.
3/11: issued instructions to employees to not share phones and distancing.
3/17: daughter in CA flew home, only three passengers on the plane.
Late March: saw a fight at the grocery while people waited in line to pay.
4/20: Dr appointment, hospital making patients with appointments wait in cars, ID and proof of appointment to enter hospital.

I think people were generally smart about the unknowns, dealt with fear well despite misinformation and lack of supplies.

 

[Ashton1911]

It offends me the way you talk about squirrels.

I am sure they make perfectly serviceable food. I would still prefer to keep to my chicken and cow. Not super interesting, but I am glad to have led life spoiled with modern luxuries.
Natural childbirth works most of the time, but having drugs and the opportunity for a C-section if needed makes my wife happier.

 

[cg21]

I am sure they make perfectly serviceable food. I would still prefer to keep to my chicken and cow. Not super interesting, but I am glad to have led life spoiled with modern luxuries.
Natural childbirth works most of the time, but having drugs and the opportunity for a C-section if needed makes my wife happier.

I am very confused by your analogy. You’re saying beef and chicken are modern luxuries? But all upscale restaurants serve frog legs duck venison rabbit lol

Preference I completely understand…. But to look down on it as a “lowly” form of food…..

 

[spencer rifle]

Natural childbirth works most of the time, but having drugs and the opportunity for a C-section if needed makes my wife happier.

SWMBO tried all the different ways unintentionally.
Child 1: C-section, mainly because the doctors were impatient and had sports cars to pay off. They charged us for a circumcision, but we could prove it never happened.
Child 2: VBAC, 32 hour labor at the hospital. Had a birth coach who kept escorting eager C-section providers out of the room.
Child 3: Planned to have this one at home - birth coach, laborade, warm bath ready, lots of clean towels. About 6 hours in she decided she wanted good drugs, headed for the hospital. Had to stop several times walking in due to big contractions. By the time we walked in they took her right to a room, cut her pants off (she was unhappy abut that) since she was at 9cm and about ready, They said "too late for drugs," so she had "natural childbirth" the expensive way. Signed her hospital admission papers after the delivery.
Child 4: Longer labor at the hospital, but the doctors said a "traumatic delivery." Several doctors showed up after the delivery, and SWMBO got worried about the baby. They said "We're not here for the baby." The place looked like a murder scene.

 

[manifest destiny]

In all that time, my life has never been in danger from another person.

Well, you clearly don't drive on I465.

In the 61 years I've been living, I've never lived in, or owned, a house that has burned down or been destroyed by a natural disaster.

Ok, but do you still insure your house against such things? If yes, then you're a prepper.

I haven't had a flat tire in decades. So yes, I would have to deem your "preparedness" as paranoia.

Ok, but do you still carry a spare tire/wheel for you auto? If yes, then you're a prepper.

I prep for a flat tire on a road trip, have an inflator and tire plugs.

Hmm. I haven't traditionally carried plugs. Great idea. They're small, easy to pack, easy to use and if I don't need them or can't use them, nothing is lost by having them.

 

[Cameramonkey]

SWMBO tried all the different ways unintentionally.
Child 1: C-section, mainly because the doctors were impatient and had sports cars to pay off. They charged us for a circumcision, but we could prove it never happened.

We had that at Methodist. Doula was getting concerned about a VBAC not progressing fast enough. So she called down and clearly told the doc "We have concerns and just want to give you a heads up. We dont need you yet but wanted you to be prepared in case we have to call you later. "

Then 5 mins later my daughter got impatient and decided she was coming out. As she was crowning a woman in a lab coat walked through the door and stood back and watched in silence.

5 more minutes and she was out and on my wife's chest. Woman in the lab coat walked over to the bed and said congratulations mama. You did good." That is when I saw the doctor badge. And with that she walked out.

A month later we get a $5,500 bill for labor and delivery from that doc via the hospital billing system. That was a VERY interesting phone conversation and the billing rep was intrigued. The bill disappeared.

 

[bobzilla]

I haven't had a flat tire in decades. So yes, I would have to deem your "preparedness" as paranoia.
People these days are just too skittish and afraid of their own shadow.
In the 61 years I've been living, I've never lived in, or owned, a house that has burned down or been destroyed by a natural disaster.
In all that time, my life has never been in danger from another person.
Come on preppers... relax.
View attachment 317251

Wife's had 3 flat tires in the last 2 years. I've had to put out fires in the garage. Your disdain for simple preparations for common issues is a bit concerning. "It never happened to me so no one needs to do that" is one of the silliest responses I've seen in a long time. You were obviously NOT a Boy Scout in those 61 years.

 

[Rebel Jack]

I think it all depends on how quickly folks realize the party is over. If it’s obvious that whatever happened means life as you know it is over, pretty quick I’d reckon. If things are still slowly chugging along (supply chains, pharmaceutical, utilities, etc.) they’ll need to come to a complete halt before the torches and pitchforks breakout. Have a plan now, cause you don’t learn to swim after you’ve gone to sea and the ship is sinking.

 

[tscherry70]

I think it will end up being like The Road (by Cormac McCarthy). I will dig deep to reach my inner Hannibal Lecter. I already know all the locations of the fat peeps near me. Liver with fava beans and a nice chianti...pffft pffft pffft.

 

[Ashton1911]

Preference I completely understand…. But to look down on it as a “lowly” form of food…..

Not so much a lowly food, but it is hard to see having all your meat coming cleaned and skinned as anything but a luxury.
If I slaughter my own chickens, they will be much tougher than the meat I buy. While chicken itself isn't a luxury, having someone else do the messy prep work for your food is nice. If it wasn't, we would see live chickens in boxes at aldies.

 

[KomboJoe]

I haven't had a flat tire in decades. So yes, I would have to deem your "preparedness" as paranoia.
People these days are just too skittish and afraid of their own shadow.
In the 61 years I've been living, I've never lived in, or owned, a house that has burned down or been destroyed by a natural disaster.
In all that time, my life has never been in danger from another person.
Come on preppers... relax.
View attachment 317251

My guy, you're seriously telling me you haven't had a problem in your life? Lost your job for an extended period of time? To be honest you sound really ignorant of how rough regular life can be for some of us.

Most of the stuff I do isn't for end of the world as we know, but for stupid stuff like I lost my job because the economy sucks. I get that you're 61 and things have been relatively good for you, but most of us have had personal emergencies that made us this way or maybe emergencies that our preps have at the very least made life better during those times. Man I live very rural, so my power goes out a couple times during the winter and for several days at a time during spring because of the storms. Having some things set aside so I don't have to use the grill in the cold to cook has been really nice. These things don't make me paranoid, they make me smart to realize that not everything goes my way.

 

[cg21]

Not so much a lowly food, but it is hard to see having all your meat coming cleaned and skinned as anything but a luxury.
If I slaughter my own chickens, they will be much tougher than the meat I buy. While chicken itself isn't a luxury, having someone else do the messy prep work for your food is nice. If it wasn't, we would see live chickens in boxes at aldies.

Why will your chickens be tougher? The chickens you raise at home are the exact opposite they are tender and flavorful. (Unless you don’t know how to cook then the store or raised at home will both be terrible)

I guess more of a convenience than a luxury?? The reason we don’t have chickens in the store is because people don’t like seeing their food or where it comes from. As a society they have separated themselves from their food.

I’m not here to debate preferences and lifestyles with you but I do believe you have been given some bad information.