Could a big EMP from a solar flare make society collapse.

Absolutely!! :surrender:

 

Due to the fragile nature of our aging power grid, and our dependence on computers and computing systems for maintaining the grid operations, a really HUGE EMP pulse would bring the whole grid down. I don't believe our backup systems (if any) could get the grid back into operation for at least 12-36 months.

Those of us with motor vehicles (pre-1970) should still find them in operation since they don't use electronics to regulate the engine. Anything post-1970 probably won't run without extensive modifications.

Without air conditioning, a whole lot of big buildings will turn into ovens since a lot of them don't even have windows to open to allow natural cooling. There will be tremendous losses of life due to heat stroke or heat exhaustion, especially among the elderly, and especially in cities like Los Vegas.

The moving around of goods and services will be seriously impacted and food shortages will bring massive starvation.

Crime will skyrocket, due to greed or just the need to survive while being unprepared.

Now the good news... we preppers are way ahead of the curve when and if this happens. We have stockpiled food, water, medicines, fuel, clothing, etc. We have places to move to or live in that probably will be minimally affected by EMP. We are prepared for the looters and have the means to defend ourselves and our families.

Most of us could "comfortably" survive for a year, a lot us us could "comfortably" survive for two-five years, and some of could "comfortable" survive for six-fifty years or more.

Lets keep on prepping until we are all in the six-fifty year range so we don't have to worry what tomorrow will bring. :soapbox2:

 

Suggested Reading: "One Second After" by William R. Frostchen

 

I wouldn't suggest taking food and bury it, unless it is a seed and it will give you more food. Your better bet would be to build shelves in a cool / dark place (unfinished section of the basement, under the stairs maybe) and start filling those shelves with as much food supplies (dried, canned, bottled) as you can possibly fit on those shelves.

With the food supplies being stocked up (don't go and spend $1000 on food if you can only afford an extra $200) start bottling your own water. Food-grade 50 gallon drums that seal-up can also be stashed in the basement (best to put near the floor-drains incase of a leakage). Next, stock up on cleaning supplies - toothbrushs, toothpaste, mouthwash, body-soap, baby-wipes, BIC razors, etc and stash them all in a basement closet, in your BOB, in your BOT/BOV at work / school / etc.

Next, start putting some money into hiking filter-systems that will take any running-water and make it drinkable. Katadyn is one of the biggest names in filters with many other companies doing great stuff. You can also look at the filter-systems used in aquariums to purify water. If you want filter-systems for your BOT (Bug Out Trailer), look at a company like WaterTiger for pumps / filters that will allow you to fill the holding tank on your trailer with fresh, drinkable water.

 

Do I understand you are in 9th grade, and about 15'ish years old....???

 

That reminded me of a question I had a while back but forgot to ask. There are potassium iodide pills that are used to counter the effects of nuclear radiation exposure, but would they work with cosmic radiation? I wasn't able to find the answer in any of the articles I've read. I know that we are exposed to solar radiation everyday with sunlight but our atmosphere filters out most of it. With the possibility of coronal mass ejections hammering our atmosphere in a severe solar storm, wouldn't the pills be good to store with the rest of the supplies?

 

I don't believe that the radiation from the sun will harm us beyond giving us a really good tan (sun-burn) unless the radiation is microwave based and it cooks us from the inside-out (just like a microwave oven). If that is the case, I don't care how many pills a person pops, without being in a radiation-safe place (like underground in an iron-mine) we all will be cooked equally and there wouldn't be anything that we could really do about it.

If the sun cooks the earth (as described in the movie 2012), I believe that the only "safe" places would be at or near the north/south poles.

 

Elinor, potassium iodide pills are used to "fill up" the thyroid gland (a bow tie shaped gland in your throat just below the jaw) with harmless iodine so radioactive forms of iodine (isotopes) from radioactive fallout (hot dust) cannot be absorbed by the thyroid and cause problems including cancer.

That protection is important, but it only protects the thyroid. Therefore, potassium iodide pills will not protect any other body organ, nor will it protect you from direct external radioactivity. PI is still important though, because the thyroid seems to be a "magnet" for some forms of radioactive material commonly found in nuclear reactions, whether power plants or bombs.

Having said that, IMHO, every family should have a 30 day supply of PI.

 

Welcome for sure read around the forum and Google anything that comes to mind! There is a lot to learn about prepping, very little has to do with food and water in a hole, but it's a good start! You're thinking!

Also, you go through events, threw is what a pitcher did to a ball. Then there is thorough, which is what you should be when prepping. :sssh:

I was around your age when I really started thinking about prepping. I come from a long line of preppers, but about 16 is when you start thinking of yourself as an adult and an individual.

 

If you're feeling lazy, just go youtube type in longterm food storage and start watching.

 

It sounds like a good place to start, burying a garbage bag of food and water. Do that first, then plan your next step!

 

Lex, any start is a good start, because that means you are thinking.

A couple things.........Are your parents thinking SHTF at all? If not, try to subtly direct them by pointing out some of the ominous global economic news to them. YOU should be reading the news and sharing it with your folks. It might take a little time, but be patient. Try to get them in your camp. That is crucial. You can't do this without them. They are your family. Be a constructive influence.

As for your list, it is a good start. You might want to think a little bigger. A gallon of water is good, but how about water purification tabs? Walmart camping department......dirt cheap.

Fire for cooking and warmth? A can opener? Sanitary items? Don't forget the gals' needs. No need to blush. It is a necessity. Larger amounts of foodstuffs like beans, rice, etc is a good thing. Lots of canned goods and LOTS of available water. Think family.

Most importantly, don't let this dominate your life. Prepperation is a good thing. Obsessing is not. You are young. Enjoy your youth.

 

Lex, I wasn't inferring that you are a girl. I surmised by your posts that you are male. What I meant was, that you probably have females in your family, therefore, you need to be sensitive to their needs. As an old goat with a wife and 3 daughters, I learned a long time ago that ya gotta keep the gals happy.

You are fortunate that your Dad is a prepper. Maybe you can encourage him to take a peek at this forum. Lots of good info and very knowledgable preppers here. We can all learn a lot from "The Gang" here.

I don't mean to give you unasked-for advice, but I'd be patient, subtle but gently persistent with your Mom. She'll come around.

Good luck, Lex.