[mosquitomountainman]

If you were to write a book about getting prepared what topics would you want to see covered?

Some I've thought of would be a section on determining when to bug out vs. when to stay in place.

Obviously a section on fallout shelters from the "Cadillac" version (lots of money and time) down to the expedient shelter (maybe you were on the road and had to do something FAST!!!).

Thoughts on vehicles. (What characteristics should a good survival vehicle have such as 4wd, EMP resistance, easy repairablility/maintanance, convertable/adaptable to alternate energy sources, etc.)

Long term sustainability.

Communication sytems.

Recruiting/forming groups including how to determine who you'd want to accept/reject as a group member.

etc.

I have lots of other ideas but would appreciate yours to help me out. I thought of this because of one of Jerry's stories in which the husband/father left detailed instructions for his family (and non-prepper wife) to follow when he was gone.

What would you want included if you had a child/relative that new nothing about prepping and you wanted to get them started right?

 

[NaeKid]

I am reading a how-to book on that right now. A lady wrote it who recently released it (she talks in the book about events of 2007 / 2008) called Just In Case. I don't have the book with me here at work, but, once I finish reading it (about half-through now) I'll be doing a book-report.

 

[Asatrur]

I am reading a how-to book on that right now. A lady wrote it who recently released it (she talks in the book about events of 2007 / 2008) called Just In Case. I don't have the book with me here at work, but, once I finish reading it (about half-through now) I'll be doing a book-report.

I read this book several months ago before I found this site and I realized I had been prepping for several years. It was a good read and has since become part of my library.

 

[Vertigo]

Biggest advise I would put in is the following:

- You CANNOT buy preparedness, it is a state of mind.

and

- Bad things do happen, always plan for the worst and hope for the best.

V.

 

[Jerry D Young]

Here is the TOC of the one I wrote and have posted on another Forum and a Blog.


Section 1: The Philosophy of Survival 4
Chapter 1: The Will to Survive 4
Chapter 2: The Convenience Factor 6
Chapter 3: Hoarding versus Storing 7
Chapter 4: Chance and Random Occurrence 8
Chapter 5: Cost Considerations 9
Chapter 6: Life Styles 11

Section 2: Are Preparations Really Necessary? 13
Chapter 7: Lessons of History 13
Chapter 8: Cycles 14
Chapter 9: Current Troubles 15

Section 3: Survival Situations 16
Chapter 10: War 16
Chapter 11: Natural Disasters 18
Chapter 12: Financial Disasters 23
Chapter 13: Major Accidents 26
Chapter 14: Local Disturbances 28
Chapter 15: Terrorism 30

Section 4: What To Prepare For 31
Chapter 16: Nuclear Warhead Effects 31
Chapter 17: Chemical/Biological Warfare Effects 42
Chapter 18: Conventional Warfare Effects 43
Chapter 19: Natural Disasters 44
Chapter 20: Financial Disasters 47
Chapter 21: Local Disturbances 49
Chapter 22: Most Common Effects 50

Section 5: The Preparations 57
Chapter 23: Secrecy 57
Chapter 24: Shelter 59
Chapter 25: Equipment 78
Chapter 26: Provisions 95
Chapter 27: Arms 102
Chapter 28: Mobility 113
Chapter 29: Finances 115
Chapter 30: Procedures 120
Chapter 31: BOBs, BIBs, INCH Bags, GOOD Bags, Etc. 129

Section 6: Organized Community Preparedness 130
Chapter 32: Small Business & Preparedness 130
Chapter 33: Churches &Community Preparedness 132
Chapter 34: Civic and Professional Groups & Community Preparedness 133
Chapter 35: Local Community Preparedness 134
Chapter 36: You & Community Preparedness 140

A Final Note 141

 

[mosquitomountainman]

Here is the TOC of the one I wrote and have posted on another Forum and a Blog. ...

Where/how can I get a copy of it?

Your survival stories are great. We (my wife and I) downloaded all we could find and are reading them.

 

[Jerry D Young]

Glad you like the stories.

There are two places you can download the manual:

Here: A Survival Plan - Manuals, Books, Guides

And here: Down Home Country Living well down on the left side of the page.

Thanks again.

Jerry

 

[Vertigo]

Glad you like the stories.

There are two places you can download the manual:

Here: A Survival Plan - Manuals, Books, Guides

And here: Down Home Country Living well down on the left side of the page.

Thanks again.

Jerry

I probably already said this somewhere at some point, but your stories rock Mr. Young !!! Although I do not always have the time to read them as fast as I would like to, those I have read I'm simply loving !!!

Greetz,

V.

 

[allen_idaho]

I think I would like to write a book that focuses on what to do after disaster strikes rather than preparing for it. I mean, let's face it. About 90% of all people out there are not going to be ready when TSHTF. Most will probably be at work and oblivious of what is going on.

The book would start directly after the disaster. Beginning with Day 1 as the dust begins to settle. It would focus on the timeframe someone would have to accomplish certain goals. And explain how they can use common household items to stay alive.

The book would first focus on your short term needs then branch out into how to meet your long term needs. The main aspects would be electricity, food, water, and medicine.

The last thing I would want is a preachy book of facts like the hundreds of other books out there. You can spend chapter after chapter explaining all about radiation, chemical weapons, and security. But it isn't really going to matter in the end.

 

[kogneto]

what about a good geography for survival situations

areas of likely nuclear fallout, areas of highest density people, main highways that will be popular

there's a lot of literature on what to prepare for but not where to prepare, most books try to hit the base line of anywhere, USA but urban/suburban/country/forest/desert are all different survival issues and it'd be nice to see something that was like "the best places to live in a post-electric america/world"

edit: I change my answer (or maybe just put it in another book) I'd really like to see something on underground housing that isn't like a dirt hole, but actual housing plans for underground living. something hobbit-like maybe but instead of a round wooden door maybe a round steel vault door. would need windows or atleast something to simulate natural sunlight.

I've always thought the best BOL would have an underground parking space with a decontamination shower right in the entrance and a fortify-able front door, with an escape hatch in back

 

[mosquitomountainman]

I think I would like to write a book that focuses on what to do after disaster strikes rather than preparing for it. I mean, let's face it. About 90% of all people out there are not going to be ready when TSHTF. Most will probably be at work and oblivious of what is going on.

The book would start directly after the disaster. Beginning with Day 1 as the dust begins to settle. It would focus on the timeframe someone would have to accomplish certain goals. And explain how they can use common household items to stay alive.

The book would first focus on your short term needs then branch out into how to meet your long term needs. The main aspects would be electricity, food, water, and medicine.

The last thing I would want is a preachy book of facts like the hundreds of other books out there. You can spend chapter after chapter explaining all about radiation, chemical weapons, and security. But it isn't really going to matter in the end.

Good points. A lot of post-disaster recovery would depend upon the type and severity of the disaster. The idea behind preparing in advance is to make initial survival rates higher and recovery afterward faster and easier.

 

[mosquitomountainman]

what about a good geography for survival situations

areas of likely nuclear fallout, areas of highest density people, main highways that will be popular

there's a lot of literature on what to prepare for but not where to prepare, most books try to hit the base line of anywhere, USA but urban/suburban/country/forest/desert are all different survival issues and it'd be nice to see something that was like "the best places to live in a post-electric america/world"

edit: I change my answer (or maybe just put it in another book) I'd really like to see something on underground housing that isn't like a dirt hole, but actual housing plans for underground living. something hobbit-like maybe but instead of a round wooden door maybe a round steel vault door. would need windows or atleast something to simulate natural sunlight.

I've always thought the best BOL would have an underground parking space with a decontamination shower right in the entrance and a fortify-able front door, with an escape hatch in back

We've spent considerable time looking at the "where" of survival. Our current area (northwest Montana) is one of the best we know for anything except another ice age. When you look at fallout maps after a full-scale nuclear strike one of the worst places to be is Missouri and Kansas yet under most other situations they would be the best places to survive. A lot will depend upon what you believe will be the most likely disasters you expect in the future and how well you can prepare for them. (Bunker Bob, for example, takes the earthquakes in stride because he's foreseen that possibility and has adequately prepared for it.)

We love the idea of underground housing. The problem is that while we like the protection a bunker affords we don't want to live in one. We've talked about a place that's pretty open in the front living area with heavy, reinforced concrete inner walls to make "safe" rooms. We'd also have filled sand bags ready to reinforce the open front area if/when the need arose. We're still working on that idea. (Also the money part is a problem.)

I know some people in Kansas who have a full walk-in basement with a substantial "safe room" for "tornado" protection. Right! It has 24 in thick reinforced concrete walls and ceiling with a vault door. The house sits on a rise with good visibility all around and has years of food and supplies stored in the basement.

 

[101airborne]

Strange you should ask. I am actually writing a manual/book for a local survival store that will be used in upcoming classes. Some topics are....

The mindset of survival

Likely disasters/Scenerios

Food preps

Gear such as tents, packs, and such

Weapons

Commo

First aid

Tactical ops.

Foraging

Barter/trade

Vehicles

Bug oout or bug in

These are a few topics that are being included, I hope to post it on line when completed.

 

[mosquitomountainman]

Strange you should ask. I am actually writing a manual/book for a local survival store that will be used in upcoming classes.

Great. Are you going to share it with us or is it for publication?

 

[HozayBuck]

I did the same thing, wanted to write, didn't think I could, then I did, I wrote 3 so far, but I start out ok, but after whatever the event is I seem to get away from the preping stuff and more into just how folks are living... I can't say mine are anything for somebody to read to learn anything... more just fun for me and the joy of finding that even a gross lack of education need not be a barrier to writing.

I would rather read a story of how somebody survives starting with very little, as in a working stiff with a family, no extra cash to buy all the goodies.. but just somebody who's maybe a hunter and fisherman with some bit of knowledge of how to put together a good camp and how the ability to figure out how to trap or snare small critters..

my story's never really seem to get into the real aspects of it...I'm a harsh critic on my own stuff and not to gentle on others....

One thing for sure, as your story develops and you create new people, write some crib notes to yourself...their name, where they came from or how they fit in...
I have a bad problem with not doing that and half way thru I have some of my people with the wrong person or such...

Other then that just start and let your mind run.. I never had a plan, I just started writing and when I reread it I'm like..who is this, where did this come from...

The best thing is when I've reread mine, I liked them, that's good enough for me... I ain't selling them and they are free to read or not so I never have to worry about disappointing somebody...

Good luck!! follow your dream!!...

 

[101airborne]

Great. Are you going to share it with us or is it for publication?

Hope to be able to somehow set up a "site" or "link" so everyone that want's to can get it on-line free. May have to get someone to help. I'm not that computer smart.

 

[101airborne]

I did the same thing, wanted to write, didn't think I could, then I did, I wrote 3 so far, but I start out ok, but after whatever the event is I seem to get away from the preping stuff and more into just how folks are living... I can't say mine are anything for somebody to read to learn anything... more just fun for me and the joy of finding that even a gross lack of education need not be a barrier to writing.

I would rather read a story of how somebody survives starting with very little, as in a working stiff with a family, no extra cash to buy all the goodies.. but just somebody who's maybe a hunter and fisherman with some bit of knowledge of how to put together a good camp and how the ability to figure out how to trap or snare small critters..

my story's never really seem to get into the real aspects of it...I'm a harsh critic on my own stuff and not to gentle on others....

One thing for sure, as your story develops and you create new people, write some crib notes to yourself...their name, where they came from or how they fit in...
I have a bad problem with not doing that and half way thru I have some of my people with the wrong person or such...

Other then that just start and let your mind run.. I never had a plan, I just started writing and when I reread it I'm like..who is this, where did this come from...

The best thing is when I've reread mine, I liked them, that's good enough for me... I ain't selling them and they are free to read or not so I never have to worry about disappointing somebody...

Good luck!! follow your dream!!...

Agree 110% people seem to learn more ( they don't know they are learning) from a story/entertainment than from a "technical" manual.

 

[NaeKid]

Hope to be able to somehow set up a "site" or "link" so everyone that want's to can get it on-line free. May have to get someone to help. I'm not that computer smart.

:wave: :wave: :wave:

I might just be able to help a bit ..

 

[faithmarie]

Maybe some could get a list of disaster movies together.?!? I do better with visual stuff. When I look at a manuel it looks like chinese to me and it isn't.
I have to get my daughters to decipher what I am looking at.
I know its terrible. But when I watch visual it sinks in. So I watch disaster movies and how to dvds.

 

[sailaway]

I've enjoyed reading everything on this thread and am wondering if all of us working together could write the ultimate preparedness book. We all have our own specialties and interests. We have all of these threads that we have discussed so far in this forum, I am wondering if we can create a best of book topic by topic. We could also add more to it as we learn more.
I for one want to learn more about natural navigation and foraging off the land and being able to disappear without being noticed.
Perhaps Dean could add a part to this forum where we begin to pull a manual together topic by topic.