What might be some preps we've overlooked?

[chrisdfw]

When I used to work in theatre, we'd use them to cover the smoke detectors if we were doing smoke/fog effects on stage.

They're one of those stocks that're really important to rotate, though!

Sounds like the most fun item to rotate through!

I thought the excuse of rotating  my ammo was a good reason to go to the range, but now i have
a good reason to go out friday night and hit the nightclubs. I'm not partying, I'm trying to arrange an oportunity
to rotate my stock!

[Beetle]

Extra leather work gloves
Extra saw chain and 2 cycle oil.
Lantern mantles

[TexDaddy]

Extra saw chain and 2 cycle oil.

Why am I not surprised you came up with this one?

[Beetle]

Gotta keep them bad boys running and I am way to out of shape to cut fire wood with a misery whip...

[Morning Sunshine]

canning seals.  you have a garden that managed to produce enough to eat... and bottles to store it in... but you ran out of seals! 

[Heavy G]

Eye glasses if you wear them.  I keep my old ones that still work, a little less than optimal but beats no glasses at all.

Here's a thread on it, with some more good ideas on eye care: http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=869.0

[DarkEyes]

I can see me running out of OFF mosquito spray, so I bought mosquito nets so at least we can sleep at night without being eaten alive.

[TimSuggs]

Eye glasses if you wear them.  I keep my old ones that still work, a little less than optimal but beats no glasses at all.

I had to try that idea out last week HG.  I caught a board in the face about a month ago while prying some siding off an old garage and my $1000.00 worth of Titanium and polished plastic took the brunt of it, breaking one ear piece off completely.  I found my old pair last week and was amazed that I could still see with them "almost" as good as my "new" broken pair, so I started wearing them again.  Yeah, took 3 days before the headaches started.  Thought I was having a stroke.  Swapped back to my one arm bandit glasses and the headaches went away, but SHTF, I'll grind down coke bottle bottoms and wear them if I have to!

Tim.

[atrus138]

A spare propane tank for my grill is what came to my mind.  If our gas gets cut off, we'll still want hot food to eat (even though our grill got infested with bugs, it will still heat a pot)!

[Fred_47460]

I think a good cross-cut hand saw would be a good one....along with whatever it takes to sharpen it. Gas for the chainsaw won't last forever, and firewood will be needed when the electricity goes out. Good axe, splitting maul, and crosscut saw!!

[ebonearth]

Sand: There's no local sand source that I have found and while everything else can be procured through local foraging, sand has to be shipped in. Everything from passive filtration systems, smithy work, making bricks and cement, cob home building, not to mention the natural abrasive and reusable properties of sand and I'm seriously looking into having a mound delivered into the spare part of the barn. I'm trying to build new outbuildings out of earthbags (I ditched the cob idea, due to portability concerns) and sand will come in handy for parts of it.

Sodium borate (Borax):  I always keep some around as a detergent additive, but it is also a fire retardant, anti-fungal, curing agent, treats thrush in horses' hooves, insecticide, can be used as a fertilizer in boron poor soils, and that's just the beginning. So I need to find a large scale supplier since buying it by the box would not be cost effective.

Filters: Of every sort. Air filters, water filters... you name it, we just got over the 6mos mark in supplies so if we have to go for longer on well water, well let's just say we'll be crunching what we drink. They're cheap enough to acquire so this is simply a lack of organization showing. Also I lack enough flour sack cloth, cheesecloth, cotton batting, polyfill and other such fabrics. Since I can't envision tolerating life without cheese (well I can but I opine that if I'm preparing I'm shooting for comfort not just getting by, so even if I fall short I'll be better off) I need at least one of those for cookery. I plan to shore up old discarded sleeping bags, tatty comforters and the like vacuum sealed just in case. Plus, it's cheaper. Also if I need to fashion a water filter or even an air filter, I can figure it out.

Yeast: I need to acquire the patience to keep a running stock of live yeasty beasties. All my old starters died. While I have some around, my basement is proving very damp, nay wet, so a lot of my dry goods went south. Part of my yeast stash was in the mix so I'll need to restock.

I'm sure there's more but when one is in the middle of a circadian reboot, composing coherent thought is hard.

[Heavy G]

Matches. 

Sure, we all have some good wooden matches for our own homes or apartments.  But you probably don't have book matches for barter.  Ask the Bosnians.  With no utilities, fires are essential and therefore matches are.

They're about $1.00 for 1000 (50 books of 20) at most grocery stores.  Throw some 1000 packs in a zip loc bag or vacuum seal them.  They'll work years from now.  You might look back at the bang you got for $1.00 (back when the Federal Reserved printed dollars in denominations under a $1,000,000 bill). 

[steeltownknight]

    Great Ideas on here.   A LOT OF INFO to absorb. 

  I would add:

   Clear plastic tarp(s)    There are some really good quality ones out there.  I have used them to make small green houses for my garden.  and They work !    I even grew pineapples under them !   (I live in Canada)  our winters can be a bit harsh.

  A good supply of Baking soda-   well for baking....and also it can be used as: Toothpaste, a deodorizer powder for your shoes or tied in a cheesecloth to keep your Whole B.O.B  from gettin stinky.  and mixed with water and a touch of vinegar it becomes a Great scouring scrub for kitchen etc. and it is 100% non toxic.

[Biff]

Drinking straws.  Good for kids, and especially if you have any sick ones at home (think swine flu when it supposedly comes back with a vengeance this fall).

[Beetle]

I think a good cross-cut hand saw would be a good one....along with whatever it takes to sharpen it. Gas for the chainsaw won't last forever, and firewood will be needed when the electricity goes out. Good axe, splitting maul, and crosscut saw!!

   Shhhhhh...They might hear you..

[SouthernLiving]

   
  A good supply of Baking soda-   well for baking....and also it can be used as: Toothpaste, a deodorizer powder for your shoes or tied in a cheesecloth to keep your Whole B.O.B  from gettin stinky.  and mixed with water and a touch of vinegar it becomes a Great scouring scrub for kitchen etc. and it is 100% non toxic.

Just when I thought I had it all covered!  You are right, baking soda is one of those do-all compounds.  I need to get a few more boxes.

Thanks for the reminder.  +1

[dacmon]

Shaving seems to be overlooked.  When the SHTF those high priced multi-blade razors wont be around long.  I found a source for the old fashioned straight razors and shaving kits and accessories.  check out
www.ExcaliburCutlery.com]<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3273834-10503512" target="_top">Razors & Shaving: Razors, Brushes, Mugs, Soaps & More Sets & supplies <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3273834-10503512" target="_top">www.ExcaliburCutlery.com[/url]
<img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3273834-10503512" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>[/url]

[dacmon]

I think I screwed up my post. A buddy of mine sent me the link and  thought i would share. It doesn't look right but they do have some good products.

[TimSuggs]

I think I screwed up my post. A buddy of mine sent me the link and  thought i would share. It doesn't look right but they do have some good products.

No, it worked just fine Dacmon, and WELCOME to the Funny Farm!  Thanks for the link too.  I am a "dry shave" sort anyway and don't use shaving cream or soap, but I do use a modern 5 blade razor Gillette Fusion and it is simply amazing.  I have been wanting to try my hand at a straight edged razor for a while now.  My barber uses one and if kept sharp enough and applied properly, will clean you as smooth as baby new butt!

Tim.

[mamabear]

Speaking of shaving, there usually are coupons in the paper for razors, and you can use hair conditioner as a shaving cream so those of you that do the whole couponing thing will be set.

[ozarked]

Shaving seems to be overlooked.  When the SHTF those high priced multi-blade razors wont be around long.  I found a source for the old fashioned straight razors and shaving kits and accessories.  check out
www.ExcaliburCutlery.com]<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3273834-10503512" target="_top">Razors & Shaving: Razors, Brushes, Mugs, Soaps & More Sets & supplies <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3273834-10503512" target="_top">www.ExcaliburCutlery.com[/url]
<img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3273834-10503512" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>[/url]

I read somewhere that razor blades dull not through use, but rather because the blade edge oxidizes.  I recall family stories of an uncle, during the Great Depression, sharpening and reusing razor blades by stropping thgem on the inside of a water glass.

[MightyRunt]

WD-40
Got the following in an email. News to me and lots of uses you'd never guess.

Subject: FW: WD-40
 


Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is?

Don't lie and don't cheat. WD-40. Who knew? I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do, probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed!

WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40' The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound.. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to pr otect their atlas missile parts.

Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some other uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those20nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

[Archer]

Not 100% true.. Check this: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp

Damn, snopes stops you from copying.

[IdahoJohn]

Not to beat a dead horse, but medical is one of those areas that I don't think you can have too much.  A few thoughts on the topic (mostly stuff I've learned while being in the Guard).

1.  Have a good tourniquet.   Please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding from medics is that you've got about 6 hours you can have a tourniquet on without loosing the limb.  This give you time to find help or...
2.  Learn how to do sutures (hope I spelled that right).  Suture kits can be hard to get (I've managed a couple dozen from medics), but they can be great to have around if you need them.  Next time you get a cold ask the doc for oral Lidocane (no clue how to spell that) since you can use it as a topical to numb the pain.  You can also use Benadryl in a pinch to numb an area (learned that one from an anesthesiologist). 
3.  Every medication you can.  I have a couple epi-pens because I have a friend to takes allergic to a whole new level.  I also have every antibiotic I can get just in case.  Nice thing with antibiotics is that last a really long time.  They might weaken, but they still work. 
4.  I've got a virtually unlimited supply of IV kits from the Guard so you may want to talk to any friends in the Guard to see if they can hook you up with some.  An IV is also the best way to kill a hangover.  Not sure how many I've given to buddies on Sunday morning.   
5.  Just about anything you can get your hands on and learn how to use.  If it really hit the fan, I'd want all I could get.

Everything I've learned on the matter has been from the military so it's not normal medical practice stuff, but if SHTF, does it really matter?

[Heavy G]

Spare eye glasses/contacts.

Here's a thread on that: http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=869.0

[sarahluker]

Extra undergarments!   I am sooo picky about them and don't want to have to make do.  So I'm buying everyone lots of extras. 

[Fred_47460]

Tampons....or whatever you gals prefer for that type of thing?? 

[Heavy G]

Boots. 

You'll be walking a lot post-SHTF.  You'll go through boots pretty quickly.  People in Bosnia after they had their SHTF said boots and boot repairs were in high demand.

I recently got a second pair of US-issue boots.  I now have a summer boot (desert) and a winter boot (Goretex and thinsulate).  I live by a giant complex of military bases so US-issue boots are pretty easy to come by.

Make sure your boots are broken in.

[soccer grannie]

Extra shoe/boot laces and cheap clear nail polish.

If the plastic tip breaks off your shoe/boot lace, just twist the end of the lace and dip it in clear nail polish and let it dry. Makes putting the shoe lace through the holes a lot easier.

Years ago, we put nail polish on mosquito bites, chiggers, etc. to kill the itching.
 

[fred.greek]

WHEN the current infrastructure collapses, how do we handle home / local healthcare?  The health powers, and tort liability, have steered the focus away from any self-reliance, for example, could you effectively set a bone and splint the limb?  Do you know what herbs are appropriate for what ailment?  Can you recognize the ailment to pick the herb?  Can you recognize the herb to pick it?

Starting references:

Emergency War Surgery
Ditch Medicine
Where there is no Doctor
Where there is no Dentist
PDR for Herbal Medicines
PDR for Nutritional Supplements (Maybe)