The recent Crowdstrike computer/IT outage got us thinking about a host of things that affect our everyday lives. How do we get cash out of the bank, fuel for our vehicles, food, water, etc. when the power or internet is out? Start pulling on a loose thread and we soon realize that in life everything seems to be connected.
There are ‘must have’ items that we always carry with us. Cash, a small amount of US 90% silver coins, firearm(s), knives (as in more than one), water, food, some tools, gloves, hat, and some cordage (rope or heavy twine) In reality we have a lot more than that but this is the minimum in both vehicles.
We need to have spare cash to cope with the internet being down. How much? Where do we stash it? Who do we tell the hidden location in case there is an emergency? Most insurance companies only insure a residence for a maximum of $2000 in cash, jewelry or firearms so we try to have at least that on hand and in the safe. A mix of bills is best. One philosophy for SHTF is you will need $50 bills more than you will need .50 BMGs. But why not have both?
We were on a motorcycle trip once in the middle of nowhere on the California and Nevada border. A backhoe crew had hit the only communication line coming into the small town so credit cards wouldn’t work, that’s how easily an entire town’s infrastructure can be shut down! As we were waiting for our turn at the gas pump the owner of the small store came out at yelled out ‘DO NOT SWIPE A CREDIT CARD AT THE PUMP, IT WILL LOCK IT UP, CASH ONLY!’ The guy with the nozzle in his hand looked at him, nodded, then immediately swiped his credit card and locked up the pumps! It was a nervous ride to the next town running on fumes, we actually shut the engine off and coasted on the downhill stretches to save fuel
Now I carry enough cash on me to buy a tank of gas, dinner, and a motel room. That is about $500 in this age of inflation. (Thanks Biden!) In the glove box there is about another $100 in small bills in an envelope marked ‘coupons’ hidden inside some fast food and grocery coupons.
What happens if the U.S. currency goes the ol’ Weimar Republic route and becomes worthless? You’d better have some precious metals stashed away to cope with that. About $4,000 worth of 90% silver half dollars fit in a two-foot section of 1-1⁄4” PVC pipe. Not trusting the threaded end caps, we elected to just seal up both ends with glue. Easy enough to cut open and will be protected from the elements should it be buried or hidden in a wall or behind an appliance like a refrigerator, washer, or dryer.
How is the firearm situation? The range can go from zero to a boatload and we probably have a number somewhere in the middle. Start off with a .22 pistol, either a revolver or semi-auto and load it up with some ammo like CCI stinger hollow points. Most anyone can handle this, including children or the handicapped so make that a minimum. A Ruger Mark II or similar or a Single Six would not be a bad choice. Some of the Single Six models will also take .22 Magnum rounds with a simple cylinder change which is significantly more powerful. Double action is probably better for self defense and there are good choices from American makers like Charter Arms, H&R, Smith and Wesson, Ruger, etc.
Shop around on online firearm websites to get a good idea of prices and availability.
Centerfire pistols are next up and the most common is the Glock Model 19. Revolvers are fine too, the Ruger GP 100, S&W Model 19, and others are built solid and made to last.
Whatever your choice you need to stock up on ammo and practice, a typical day at the range is a minimum of 50 rounds and most often more like 200. Function test the firearm with the ammo you intend to have in it for self-defense. Carry your weapon on you or nearby because when you do need it you are going to need it in a hurry and will regret having it in the bottom of a bugout bag or locked in a case. We prefer a cross-draw style holster to not interfere with the seat belt.
State laws vary and we are lucky to live in the SW where we are still free to carry a loaded gun in the vehicle or concealed without a permit. Our permit is the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution!
Shotguns are the most versatile weapon out there. Everyone should have at least one because it can take birds, small game, big game and predators, both four-legged and two-legged. Back before AR rifles came on the scene law enforcement had a shotgun for situations that they knew there was going to be a problem and left the handgun in the holster as backup.
12 gauge or 20 gauge are both fine and will both be effective. The most common models are Mossberg 500 series (the Maverick is a less expensive version), the Remington 870, and the Ithaca Model 37. The thaca is also known as the Cadillac of pump shotguns! My local Mom and Pop gun store had four of them in stock recently, all under $400! That is a bargain for a good quality made in America firearm.
Shotgun barrels on most models are easily swapped out, longer for hunting and shorter for self-defense. There are ‘combo’ guns that include both barrels so shop around.
Rifles are the top of the line in weapons and the choice is vast. Have an accurate .22 caliber for small game. One can’t go wrong with a Ruger 10-22 and the best is the stainless steel take down version also known as the ‘grail gun’ because it is the holy grail of .22 rifles! Bolt actions are low cost, accurate and reliable
Center fire can be the ubiquitous AR (“Americas Rifle”), or anything the shooter can be accurate with and handle comfortably. Bolt actions are simple, rugged, reliable and easy to clean and maintain but we have a soft spot in our hearts for lever actions.
Back in the day, many sheriff’s deputies had a .30-30 lever gun in the trunk of their cruiser. I prefer the Savage Model 99 in .243 caliber, but the prices have gone way up lately. Get a common caliber like .223, 5.56, 7.62×39, 308, .30-30, 30-06, etc. to avoid ammo availability problems. Most every gun shop in the US should have that ammunition in stock.
Knives are next on the list of being well rounded and they can be a folding style or a fixed blade. There are differing laws state-to-state but where I live most every male will have a folder in his pocket. We prefer made in USA but there are good versions made in Japan and Germany. The key is the type of steel so choose wisely. Buck is a good brand and has been around for a long time. Have them sharp and oiled and you will consider a good knife to be one of the must-have items to always have readily available. Check Ebay for an electrician’s knife. They have a screwdriver blade and a regular blade.
Water is also a must have. Hydrate or die. Store it in dependable containers, cheap ones aren’t good and good ones aren’t cheap. We had some of those five-gallon blue squarish models in the back of the bunker room and one of the seams failed. The mildew smell gave it away and luckily, we caught it before it got worse. Check on your stored items regularly!
Food is key so store what you eat and eat what you store. Consider food to be the fuel of the human body. A motor will shut down when it’s out of fuel and the body will shut down when it’s out of calories. The minimum is about 1200 calories a day for an adult but in high stress or elevated activity in can be triple that or more.
Canned food is good, freeze dried is better. Costco, Sam’s Club and online providers (check SurvivalBlog affiliates!) have frequent specials that can be taken advantage of. A simple can of chili dumped over white rice is filling and will provide the calories to keep you going for the better part of a day.
We carry a few of the mylar pouches of freeze-dried meals in our ‘get home’ bags along with some hard candy and granola bars. The heat inside most vehicles will quickly ruin items so check them regularly. Hot water can be poured in the pouch and eaten so make sure to include something to boil water in, a fuel source and matches or a lighter. We have a few of the old-style military canteens that have metal cups, so that gives us some water and a pot in one package.
There is much debate about what to carry for fire starting, another must have item, but after a lifetime of backpacking and camping we have settled on a Bic lighter or a similar brand. Buy them five at a time and keep one in your pocket. There are rubber protective sleeves that fit over them, a piece of innertube will work, so the fuel activation button doesn’t accidentally get pressed while it is in storage.
Use a waterproof container to have some matches as a backup. A few books of matches in a Ziploc bag can be a real lifesaver and is cheap insurance. Stash some in the glove box, toolbox, backpack, etc.
Have about 100’ feet of paracord. Other cordage available at most hardware stores is good also. Masonry twine, 3/8” rope, braided fishing line are all options. One of my favorites, since I’m a retired electrical worker, is ‘Muletape’, or as the local home store calls it Polyester Electrical Cable Pull tape. Good for 2500 pounds and is as handy as a pocket for most any job requiring rope or cord. Stronger than paracord, flat, disposable and cheap.
Along the same line is some type of tie wire. Most old timers could fix most anything with some bailing wire and electrical tape. Keep some tools handy: Vise grips, lineman’s pliers, Crescent wrench, screwdrivers, hacksaw, etc. could be the difference between being on the side of the road or on your way. Have a light tarp or waterproof cover to throw over all your stuff.
In your get home bag — that should always be with you — have some band-aids, soap, ointment, gauze, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc. We just picked up a couple tourniquets to have our bases covered.
To wrap it up, the answer to most questions is ‘it depends’. To decide what to take with you and what to leave behind depends on your personal situation and preferences.
To be well-rounded is to try and cover a range of possibilities and not just a small area of concern.
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P.S.: Many thanks to Mr. Rawles for publishing SurvivalBlog and putting out information that benefits us all. It has to be an incredible amount of work and his efforts should not be taken for granted. I have been a 10-cent challenge member and encourage everyone that can afford to, do likewise.