It is time to get into the Prepper Mode!

A story to illustrate a point. In 1980 I left McDonnell Douglas as I had a boss who was simply ignorant. He resisted new ways of thinking and doing things. I had an MBA and some of the organizational problems we had were well studied and had remedies. He simply was risk averse to changing anything and so I left.

Late in 1981, out of the blue, I was contacted by McDonnell Douglas with a job offer to come to work in St Louis. The person making the call apologized and said we should have never let you leave. It was my electronics background, and facilities experience that was key. They wanted me to be the project manager to build a microelectronics fab. Also, key was 10 years at McDonnell Douglas, as I intimately knew the work processes. The bag of money was big enough and in January of 1982 I moved to St. Louis. That meant snow, ice and dangerous driving.

The 1st day on the job I was introduced to a staff assistant whose job was to help me get up to speed. My 1st question was about the weather and driving conditions as I lived in the county some 35 miles from the plant. The staff assistant said don't worry when it is really bad, I will call you and let you know. I didn't think anything more about it and come April, we had a terrible snowstorm. At 3 AM the phone rings and it is the staff assistant, and he says just wanted to let you know... It is really bad.

[The following is hypothetical but does start to respond to the what if scenario. We are a divided nation, the economy sucks, there is a war going on, a major election in 7 months and it is a worldwide issue.] 

So here is your 3 AM call... It is bad. The world situation is tenuous, so this is a good time to get prepared. Call up your favorite AI program and ask about the Trump 2.0 Iran War and what it's doing to stability in the world. It is headed past its 3rd week, and we have already spent Billions on the war.  As it is now, this is not a one and done event. Any plan that existed is now on some new course. As we can see on TV, the Straits of Hormuz does not need a big cork to stop the flow of liquid gold. 

 

Some of the things that should be done are easy and involve very simple process changes.

Maybe you might remember the Odd Even gas days of the 1970's. We are so dependent on our autos and so the 1st simple change is to keep your gas tanks full and battery charged. Keep in mind that an EMP can wipe out the use of automobiles and EV's.

Find, build or buy a 20-Watt HF SSB radio so you can communicate when all the cell towers go toes up. A 10 Amp LiPo Battery with a solar charger will keep you on the air and connected for any communications from the government. Xiegu, Elecraft, Yaesu and others have these radios. Get a small inverter (about $15) so you can charge your cell phone from the battery should there still be cell service. 

Collect two changes of clothing including a warm jacket and Boonie Hat. Pack it away for emergency use only. (So, you don't routinely touch it.) Ditch the flip flops and invest in a quality pair of hiking boots. Put a Space Blanket in the pack and purchase a cheap plastic poncho to keep dry.

Name me one person who is not on Meds... Oh, that is right they don't live in the USA. You should always try to have a two-week stash of critical medications. A First Aid Kit is another item.

Cash will be king. Have several hundred dollars in smaller bills and stash these inside your underwear. A check with any lap dancer can tell you the how it is done.

A small bag of tools could be on the critical path. Six in one screw drivers, multi-tools sold by Gerber and others plus add in a solid knife with a 4-inch blade. A WWII Kabar is perfect. (I have one I carried in Vietnam.) Include flashlights and spare batteries. Fire Starters, signal mirrors and flares round out the tools. If you can find some para cord and fishing hooks throw that in the kit. 

Weapons is a big question and when it comes down to it may be more dangerous to have one as not. That said you may want to consider purchasing the AR-7 Survival Rifle for hunting small game and warding off wild animals. This rifle comes apart and the receiver and barrel plus magazines fit inside the waterproof stock. It shoots 22 Cal LR. Henry Arms now makes the AR-7. (About $400. Check Bass Pro Shops / Cabella's)


Critical documents that you will need should be amassed and secured such as passports, birth certificates, naturalization documents, drivers licenses, property ownership and marriage certificates. For veterans, your DD214 is the E Ticket. A waterproof pouch is a must to contain these documents. It might be a good idea to get fingerprinted and have your prints in the pouch. Also prepare a contact list with phone numbers, email addresses etc. Get with your family and have a prearranged contact plan for when there is an emergency there is a communications central. 

 

AR-7 Survival Rifle

Become familiar with your local area (maps, guides, etc.) and locate a safe area that can be accessed on foot. If you are going to run away from home, you better have a place to run to in an emergency.

Last but not least is food. Purchase a stock of 20 MRE's per person (2 meals for 10 days). They are packed with calories and easily cooked in the field. In lieu of extensive water storage, have water purification kits. 

This is a lot to absorb but it is the reality and not a perception. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

This was a hypothetical brain dump, but you might want to find and watch the following three movies: Red Dawn, The Day After and Independence Day. Cheesy, yes but they all have a common theme... it can't happen here. But it did and for the most part they were unprepared. A critical solution in Independence Day was the use of Morse Code. Oh yeah, no longer a ham license requirement.

Them that know... survive. This is your 3 AM wake up call.

73's

Pete N6QW