The Survivalist Pledge:
To help all that can be helped,
To defend all that can be defended,
To save all that can be saved,
To free all that seek freedom,
To stay alive as long as I can and stay free as long as I live.
Whether you're planning on weathering out a nuclear war or a severe storm,
you're going to have to have quite a few things stockpiled to survive "in
style" on your own.
To survive a long-term disaster, you'll need to have a
lot of odds and ends. Most of the things you need to buy for use during and
after a nuclear war are now as close to you as your nearest grocery, hardware,
and clothing stores. And most of the more "exotic" equipment is easily
ordered through the mail. A number of lists of items you might need during a
nuclear war have been compiled. These are good as a starting point, but you
should sit down and give some thought to YOUR family's needs.
One easy way of
discovering just what you need is to make a list of everything your family uses
over several days' time. From this you should compile a list of things you've
used which will wear out or which are totally consumed with use. From this list,
cross out the things you can live without. This will show you what you need to
stock up on (or learn how to make yourself, substitute for, or grow).
Most of us
don't have the money to buy everything for our survival storage at once;
prioritize your list and then buy the most important things first. Even if you
can only budget $20 or $30 a month, you'll find that you'll build up a nice
stockpile of useful goods at the end of a year or two--especially if you take
time to shop carefully and make substitutions where possible.
Don't forget to
stock any medicine or medical supplies which family members may occasionally
need. Try to purchase spare prescription eye glasses--or keep your old ones--if
you have a strong correction. If possible, your family should turn
"survivalism" into a hobby or pastime. Don't dwell on the negative
effects you're preparing for; emphasize the possibility of surviving.
Entertainment is an important consideration during periods of long term
disaster. Pencils, pens, paper, games, and the like are both inexpensive and
capable of giving a lot of do-it-yourself entertainment. Don't forget to include
a Bible, history books, etc., which will bear a lot of extra study and
re-reading. If you have limited budget for books, try to purchase second-hand
books or a minifiche/microfiche reader and microfiche books. Either route gives
your more "reads for the buck" (and the microfiche books last a lot
longer).
Don't forget a good first aid kit and some of the over-the-counter
miracle drugs that we take for granted like aspirin, fungicides, alcohol, etc.,
etc. (Animal antibiotics and drugs are often identical to human medications; one
very useful book which tells how to go about adapting veterinarian medicines to
human use, is SURVIVALIST'S MEDICINE CHEST (from Paladin Press for $5.95).
Being able to build things for yourself--before or after a disaster--can cut
down on what must be purchased for storing for an emergency. Purchasing a good
array of tools and learning to use them may prove invaluable. Among the most
important tools and kits to have are wood-working equipment but a number of
others would be handy or even essential during an emergency. Don't forget to
stock extra screws, nails, staples, etc., either since making such fasteners
would be a very time-consuming proposition at best. And don't forget to store
various oils, grease, and lubricants which you'll need for your equipment. Being
able to repair things will be important. Duct tape, wire, nylon rope, and
various types of glues can be very worth-while purchases. Consider, too, a
propane torch, solder, flux, and spare tubes of fuel. For joining or repairing
canvas, leather, tarps, etc., an awl is another good buy; get spare needles and
string, too. And don't forget a good sewing kit.
Finally, most survivalists have guns--but not enough ammunition. While most
of us enjoy owning guns almost more than shooting, put off the purchase of
"wish I had one" firearms until you've stocked up on cartridges. With
a little thought, time, and budgeting, you can create a nice stockpile of goods
which will greatly improve your survival chances.
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