The Suburbanite Who Bugs Out!

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

I think too many people assume that moving out of the city will guarantee or dramatically improve their safety if a societal breakdown situation. If a nationwide emergency causes the power grid to fail, some places will be safer than others, but no one will be as safe as you think. I've heard many people say over the years that I need to get out of the city and that I won't have a chance if the shit hits the fan.

But I'm starting to get the impression that these people don't use the nuances of environment and how it relates to emergencies. People often point out the cities will be more dangerous because of the people. And although I agree that in the short term, the cities will be very dangerous, I also think that a lot of the people in the cities will drive to the surburbs, while the suburbanites will try to move into the country. There's a lot of people living in the suburbans around Detroit with cabins in Northern Michigan.

If there's a national emergency, almost everyone in Southeast Michigan is going to be trying to move up North I-75. That means if you're a suburbanite who thinks you're safe, you will likely get stuck in traffic if you try to bug out in the early stages of a crisis. Your best bet maybe to wait until the first wave of violence and panic ends. Personally, I'm not bugging out until I run out of resources and/or facing an imminent threat with overwhelming force. Until that day, I plan to stay in my home and bug in for the long term.

Keep in mind that if you live in the suburbans, a lot of desperate people will be forced to leave the highways and major roads to find resources your suburban area.


Simply put, the city will have more desperate people, but the it will also have many more resources. The rural areas will have less desperate people, but less resources. When you go from the city to the country, you're leaving one set of challenges for a different set of challenges. My ideal scenario would be to locate in a rural area with trusted family and plenty of my own resources.

Remember if you are a suburbanite planning on bugging out, please have resources already at the location. And it would be best to have a trusted family member at the location who can guard it until you arrive. You don't want to show and find strangers in your cabin. if the situation is grave, I doubt a man would be willing to give up shelter for his family without a fight.

Here are the things you will want to have in your vehicle.

1) 4 Wheel Drive
If you have to abandon the major roads, this could can in handy. But also beware that 4x4 makes the vehicle more complicated and if it breaks, it could expensive to repair.

2) First Kid (and knowledge of how to use it.)

3) Fire extinuigisher (and knowledge of how to use it)

4) Water (this includes water bottles and water filters)

5) Lighters and matches

6) Two Way Radios.

7) Spare tire, spare auto parts and tools.

8) A Plan (that all household member are aware of.)

Are Preppers Selfish?

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

I came across a very fascinating rebuttal by SHTF plan to an article written by an emergency manager,  Valerie Lucus-McEwen. She wrote an article entitled "Doomsday Preppers are Socially Selfish" that was not only critical of the silly reality TV series "Doomsday Prepper", but used it as a means to attack all preppers.

 "You might wonder why someone like me, who has been in the business of encouraging disaster preparedness for a very long time, is so critical of people who are doing just that. It’s because they are being socially selfish – preparing themselves and the hell with everyone else.  Instead of spending time and energy making changes that would benefit the larger community, in their very narrow focus of loyalty they are more concerned about themselves," Lucus-McEwen explained.

What is the first rule when an airplane is going down and the oxygen mask drop down?

Grab your oxygen mask first and then help the people next to you.

Why?

Because if you pass out, you won't be able to help your kids. I think that people need to help themselves before they can help others. With that said, I most definitely don't approve of the show "Doomsday Preppers." For the most part, it showcases the most extreme and ridiculous personalities in the emergency preparation community.

Here's another interesting part.

"Emergency Managers can’t afford that kind of attitude.  It is diametrically opposed to everything we do. Our job is to prepare individuals and communities and jurisdictions and regions and – ultimately – the globe for disasters, knowing we won’t always succeed."

Let's get real. The more people prepare, the less they will need people like her. Emergency managers can help people during a crisis, but are always very limited. And usually end up spending most of their time helping idiots who never kept every food and water in their homes. The only real solution is for more people to become personally responsible for their own water, food, safety and shelter after a crisis. Simply put, we can't help others until we help ourselves. Is storing food and water for emergencies selfish?

Of course not.

Some preppers are selfish, but the choice to prepare is not what makes them selfish. We should not associate preparing for a rainy day to selfishness. It's called self-preservation and it's why humans have made it this far.

Hurricane Sandy & Riots After the Election?

 By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

Hurricane Sandy a Lesson For NON-Preppers

People diving through dumpsters looking for food, isolated neighborhoods in Queens being attacked by looters dressed as utility workers, long lines of cars outside of gas stations, officials complaining about the federal response in Staten Island and chaos sweeping across the New York/ New Jersey area. This isn't the end of the world, but the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Millions of people are trying to put their lives back together, after a rare storm created havoc in the largest city in America.

Hurricane Sandy death toll climbs above 110, N.Y. hardest hit
 
After the power went out, police protection was so bare that some people in Queens started arming themselves with bats and guns and bow and arrows. There was endless tv reports on desperate city dwellers calling out for help. Officials blaming FEMA and the Red Cross. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is why I prep. I don't prep for the end of the World, I prep for life. Unexpected things happen in life that can change your world. I prepare for emergencies because I realize that emergencies happen. There is no excuse for grown men and women to not prepare for simple emergencies.And as you watch these desperate people on TV, you need to ask yourself, am I going to be one of these people?
 
Queens residents arm themselves in the post-storm blackout from looters
Drivers facing long lines, empty pumps in New York

The Election and Riots

I was video recording a video on Hurricane Sandy, when I was interrupted by a guy who saw one of my videos on youtube. He mentioned the election and we started thinking about Obama. He was a supporter and I rejected both Obama and Romney. The video below is the raw, unedited footage of what happened. Enjoy! Should Blacks Support Obama in 2012?


In short, I don't see the need to support either Obama or Romney. They're both corporatist warmongers who are nothing more than show pieces designed to divide the people.  Liberal comedian Bill Maher made one of the most irresponsible comments of this election cycle on his HBO show Real Time. 

"If you're thinking about voting for Mitt Romney, I would like to make this one plea: black people know who you are and they will come after you"

Of course, he was kidding, but it wasn't funny. Some Obama supporters are making threats about rioting if Obama should lose. I should point out that most black people are not assholes who would engage in this behavior. With that said, whatever these angry fools do, they should stay out of white rural areas, because unlike the white Chicagoans attacked by black teenager mobs, these white people have guns. A massive crowd of blacks entering their area to destroy property would end in disaster. Frankly, I think enough of Obama's angry black supporters know this. So I doubt we're going to see riots after election night. Enough said.

Five Things Single Mothers Can DO Before SHTF

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

As most of us know, there is no shortage of gun talk in the prepper community. After all, one of the best important emergency preparations is self defense. But when if you are not apart of a specialized prepper group with years of food supple and a mountain of guns. When if you're just a regular Joe or Jane? When if you're a single woman or a single mother living by herself? How should a single mother approach prepping?

Obviously, I am not a single mother so my perspective is limited. However, I was raised by a single mother so I think I can make some observations. Because most single moms are working on a more limited budget, they will forced to be extremely economical. This means that they must identify the best deals on large quantity of food for their children, but they must also find a way to secure their homes if there are riots. I am not an expect in home defense or guns, but I have learned a thing or two after prepping for 3 years. Here are 5 things I think every single mom should do right now.

1. Secure Your Doors (and Windows)
Start by buying good locks for your doors, putting locks on the windows and removing hiding spots around your house such as enormous bushes. Buy a 2 x 4 wood piece that is 4 to 5 five long, two high quality metal brackets and screws. Put the brackets on each side of the door and place the wood in the brackets to make the door harder to kick in. The idea to give yourself more time to respond to a home invasion during SHTF (shit hits the fan.) You can put these items aside and use them if things get too bad. View my video below for more details.




2. Acquire a Firearm (Legally) and Carry It
Research the local laws and see if you can legally own a semi-auto handgun. Most states offer a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) permit so you can carry it at all times (except in gun free zones.) The process usually involves taking a 4 hour NRA gun course (100 to 150 dollars) + 100 rounds of ammo), bringing the certificate to the county (or state) office, paying 100 to 120 buys for the paper work, getting your fingerprints recorded and receiving the permit 5 to 8 weeks later. Felons are obviously unqualified.

Using a firearm correctly can save your life. But don't just get a gun, learn how to use it and practice as much as you can. At least once a month. You may want to take additional classes. You may also consider getting a safe and teaching your children about the importance of gun safety.

3. Connect With Other Single Mothers
Look for other single mothers in your neighbor and start talking about the things that matter to you. Get coordinated with family members. It may not be a bad idea to live near your brother. That isn't always possible. It may help to have your brother do some yard work, just to show the neighbors that you are not alone. You may not know it but predators notice when a woman is "doing it all by herself." When the SHTF, he may decide to take advantage of the situation if he thinks that men won't be around. Think of it as a show of force.

4. Get A Dog
Not a cat, because although I love cats, if a rapist enters you house, a cat will not help you. A cat will not attack the man or even warn you. A lab can be a great family dog, loving to the kids, warn and help protect you. If you are allergic, you can find non-allergic breeds.

5. Find A Natural Healer
There may not be access to hospitals during a SHTF situation, so knowing a natural healer may help your children if they get sick.