priorities & value in hypothetical SHTF scenario

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I was reading an article comparing male vs female preppers. Interesting enough most male preppers tend to focus on defensive tools (i.e. weapons ammo etc) where as women tend to focus on food/water preservation/storage. Basically jist of article was that most tend to place over emphasis on defensive weoponary/gear and not enough on things most essential to survival.

The most essential component to survival is water by far as we supposedly cannot survive more than 3 days without it. In the unlikely SHTF WOROL scenario the value of clean water will trump everything else...even food. I would imagine that many people would be forced to trade for water, food, etc.

Just for fun, how do you think the values of certain items will play out? For instance say you own a lot weapons, defensive gear, etc but run out of water food, etc. How much food or water would say a $1,000 gun be worth? Would it be worth a $1,000 worth of water/food ?

I know it may be a ridiculous question to ask. I'm just curious about hypothetical stuff like this. I just wonder if many items that we believed to be valuable would be worth much in such a scenario.
 
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I was reading an article comparing male vs female preppers. Interesting enough most male preppers tend to focus on defensive tools (i.e. weapons ammo etc) where as women tend to focus on food/water preservation/storage. Basically jist of article was that most tend to place over emphasis on defensive weoponary/gear and not enough on things most essential to survival.

The most essential component to survival is water by far as we supposedly cannot survive more than 3 days without it. In the unlikely SHTF WOROL scenario the value of clean water will trump everything else...even food. I would imagine that many people would be forced to trade for water, food, etc.

Just for fun, how do you think the values of certain items will play out? For instance say you own a lot weapons, defensive gear, etc but run out of water food, etc. How much food or water would say a $1,000 gun be worth? Would it be worth a $1,000 worth of water/food ?

I know it may be a ridiculous question to ask. I'm just curious about hypothetical stuff like this. I just wonder if many items that we believed to be valuable would be worth much in such a scenario.
Security is most important when you have things worth securing. Your right on here about having priorities in order. I've always told people about the basics of prepping being being water, food, shelter and security. In that order. I also believe that just storing a bunch of canned goods and having a life straw filter isn't near enough. What are you going to do if someone with a bigger gun comes along and takes what you have stashed? Learning to produce food and clean water, and store it safely without refrigeration is a basic skill set that we should all have. Over the last few years I've been focusing on learning to grow and preserve food, including raising animals and cleaning them for their meat. I hear lots of people say they will learn this stuff when and if something bad happens. I quickly learned that gardening is a hell of a lot tougher than I ever imagined. It's taken me five or six years of trial and error before I think I could keep from starving to death, but I still don't think of myself as good at it! Brings to mind a friend told me he just put in a bunch of azaleas and other decorative landscaping. I questioned why he wouldn't plant some edibles as decorative plants. Good luck on eating that stuff. By the way, if you plant a fruit tree it just dosent magically produce fruit instantly. It takes years to get big enough and maintenance along the way. My point here is to start being proactive and learning now.
I do think security is an important aspect of prepping, just not the only, nor most important one. Good thread here.
 
View attachment 6773
I was reading an article comparing male vs female preppers. Interesting enough most male preppers tend to focus on defensive tools (i.e. weapons ammo etc) where as women tend to focus on food/water preservation/storage. Basically jist of article was that most tend to place over emphasis on defensive weoponary/gear and not enough on things most essential to survival.

The most essential component to survival is water by far as we supposedly cannot survive more than 3 days without it. In the unlikely SHTF WOROL scenario the value of clean water will trump everything else...even food. I would imagine that many people would be forced to trade for water, food, etc.

Just for fun, how do you think the values of certain items will play out? For instance say you own a lot weapons, defensive gear, etc but run out of water food, etc. How much food or water would say a $1,000 gun be worth? Would it be worth a $1,000 worth of water/food ?


I know it may be a ridiculous question to ask. I'm just curious about hypothetical stuff like this. I just wonder if many items that we believed to be valuable would be worth much in such a scenario.

so you want to do some trading do you,,,,,,in simple terms the world has become a desperate place to live in ,,,,,HOW MUCH FOOD/WATER IS YOUR LIFE WORTH ,,,,,,,,,,,when it goes to hell and you don't have a way to defend what you have others will take it from you,there will not be much trading,,,,,,,yeah food and water are very valuable but being able to defend yourself is priceless ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
 
I remember an old apocalyptic movie form the 1960's or 1970's called "No Single Blade of Grass". The actress who played in the British comedy "Are you being served?" was in it. There's a line that says that women are born with a built-in survival kit between their legs. When SHTF, and the thin veneer of civilization is peeled away, things are not going to be very nice or politically correct. That's why those who are able have a responsibility, in my view, to help lead and direct those who are without a clue, in those times to come.
 
so you want to do some trading do you,,,,,,in simple terms the world has become a desperate place to live in ,,,,,HOW MUCH FOOD/WATER IS YOUR LIFE WORTH ,,,,,,,,,,,when it goes to hell and you don't have a way to defend what you have others will take it from you,there will not be much trading,,,,,,,yeah food and water are very valuable but being able to defend yourself is priceless ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Of course I agree with you and Brent 100%. I was thinking this applies to me as I already own more than enough guns and ammo however I don't have much water nor food stored. Understand some of us live in urban areas via condo/apartment complexes. We dont all have luxury of planting/growing food or large amounts of land to store water tankers.

All i was thinking was regardless of how much water I store I feel my water supply would be the first concern in those circumstances. Especially when u consider how much water is required for survival. I'd be doooooooomed as of right now.
 
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Security is most important when you have things worth securing. Your right on here about having priorities in order. I've always told people about the basics of prepping being being water, food, shelter and security. In that order. I also believe that just storing a bunch of canned goods and having a life straw filter isn't near enough. What are you going to do if someone with a bigger gun comes along and takes what you have stashed? Learning to produce food and clean water, and store it safely without refrigeration is a basic skill set that we should all have. Over the last few years I've been focusing on learning to grow and preserve food, including raising animals and cleaning them for their meat. I hear lots of people say they will learn this stuff when and if something bad happens. I quickly learned that gardening is a hell of a lot tougher than I ever imagined. It's taken me five or six years of trial and error before I think I could keep from starving to death, but I still don't think of myself as good at it! Brings to mind a friend told me he just put in a bunch of azaleas and other decorative landscaping. I questioned why he wouldn't plant some edibles as decorative plants. Good luck on eating that stuff. By the way, if you plant a fruit tree it just dosent magically produce fruit instantly. It takes years to get big enough and maintenance along the way. My point here is to start being proactive and learning now.
I do think security is an important aspect of prepping, just not the only, nor most important one. Good thread here.

I will learn, that is why I'm here. I wonder how much beyond expiration dates will certain foods be good for.

For instance I found buried in back of my fridge some expired never opened hummus. It was over 7 months expired. Curious I opened & it appeared to look fine so I tasted it. I couldn't tell really the difference. I ended up throwing it away cause I didn't want to chance getting sick. I definitely need to learn more about food/water preservation.
 
I remember an old apocalyptic movie form the 1960's or 1970's called "No Single Blade of Grass". The actress who played in the British comedy "Are you being served?" was in it. There's a line that says that women are born with a built-in survival kit between their legs. When SHTF, and the thin veneer of civilization is peeled away, things are not going to be very nice or politically correct. That's why those who are able have a responsibility, in my view, to help lead and direct those who are without a clue, in those times to come.
there you go again, with that yoo-hoo I want to be leader crap.
people will have to survive on their own merits, it wont be safe to go out and find a group to join, not until the die off is over and the dust has settled, that may be many months depending on where one is.
 
Trading with others can be a red herring especially if it becomes known you have goods for trade. OPSEC

The men and women are on the same playing field here at my home, the only difference is the women tend to be more compassionate (generally more so with animals) that may need some oversight. Generally speaking we are in fairly decent shape as far as water/food/shelter goes though nature always has a way of changing our plans thus we can't plan for every situation that may arise.

The OP is almost an impossible question to answer, when on the verge of dehydration or is dehydrated primal instinct becomes the deciding factor, when primal instinct takes over nothing is of value including one's offspring's except water and only water. When a father or mother is faced with starving children and of no hope the parents can become the most dangerous creature on earth including the most docile humans. In a world of no hope we have no humanity nor morality, the compassionate one's become the first target of the despair. None of us can truly say from our comfortable environment today what we will do if face with such dire straits be it from the one's with trade goods or the one's in need. Lets just pray we never have to find out.
 


there you go again, with that yoo-hoo I want to be leader crap.
people will have to survive on their own merits, it wont be safe to go out and find a group to join, not until the die off is over and the dust has settled, that may be many months depending on where one is.

I don't think any of us know exactly how things would play out cause its never happened on such a large scale.

Plus I think many people underestimate just how far out of wack things would have to go for the situation to get to the point were people are thinking it's going to go.

People are much more resilient then many of us seem to believe. Also say an EMP did occur and things went out of wack...

Who is to say people would turn violent right away?

What if even in a world without law communities are united and trade centers are formed. Just cause someone is non violent and willing to trade doesn't mean that he is weak or unwilling/incapable of defending his/herself.

In many urban areas people would be forced to unite out of necessity and self-preservation. Say someone owns a bunch of high end winter coats and another extra of something else...its a lot easier to trade then it would be to fight.

Remember the movie "Fight Club"? That scene were Tyler Durden tasks each of his members with starting a fight with a perfect stranger. Remember the reaction most people attacked had? Most people are reluctant to fight. I know this is just a movie but I feel there is truth to this.

Most people try to make friends with bullies rather than fight. Hence trade is more likely then violence in my opinion.
 
Of course I agree with you and Brent 100%. I was thinking this applies to me as I already own more than enough guns and ammo however I don't have much water nor food stored. Understand some of us live in urban areas via condo/apartment complexes. We dont all have luxury of planting/growing food or large amounts of land to store water tankers.

All i was thinking was regardless of how much water I store I feel my water supply would be the first concern in those circumstances. Especially when u consider how much water is required for survival. I'd be doooooooomed as of right now.
if you feel doomed at your current location,I would be looking for a bugout location
 




I don't think any of us know exactly how things would play out cause its never happened on such a large scale.

Plus I think many people underestimate just how far out of wack things would have to go for the situation to get to the point were people are thinking it's going to go.

People are much more resilient then many of us seem to believe. Also say an EMP did occur and things went out of wack...

Who is to say people would turn violent right away?

What if even in a world without law communities are united and trade centers are formed. Just cause someone is non violent and willing to trade doesn't mean that he is weak or unwilling/incapable of defending his/herself.

In many urban areas people would be forced to unite out of necessity and self-preservation. Say someone owns a bunch of high end winter coats and another extra of something else...its a lot easier to trade then it would be to fight.

Remember the movie "Fight Club"? That scene were Tyler Durden tasks each of his members with starting a fight with a perfect stranger. Remember the reaction most people attacked had? Most people are reluctant to fight. I know this is just a movie but I feel there is truth to this.

Most people try to make friends with bullies rather than fight. Hence trade is more likely then violence in my opinion.


If one looks at the violence that propagated during past blackouts is one sign or the violence that followed Katrina or the violence that has spread during a famine. The majority of this nation are unprepared for anything beyond 2 or 3 days, when no relief is in sight 3 days after an event things will go south very very quickly.

Several years ago the Government (EMP Commission) done a study on the catastrophic nationwide event of an EMP/hacking attack/CME (long term grid down) and the effects it would have on the people, one of the conclusion was that 90% of the population would be dead in 2 years with about half being suicides the other half would be sickness and violence. Since such an event has never taken place in modern times we only have past events to form a conclusion.
 
if you feel doomed at your current location,I would be looking for a bugout location

There definitely are disadvantages and yes I am considering relocating. I used to live in a larger home in a 'nicer' area. The thing is there are disadvantages living in a home (in my opinion) as it relates to the topic depending on where you live.

For one, it's privacy. When you live in a home neighbors seem to notice you more and have more immediate access to you.

If you're in a high rise you have several barriers preventing immediate access to you and people don't seem to notice their neighbors as much.

If you live in the middle of nowhere you will be isolated from masses initially. If someone were to approach however...your land would stick out like a sore thumb.

SHTF aside I'd prefer to be more social and interactive with my neighbors. I kind of miss that smaller community feel.
 
wel
There definitely are disadvantages and yes I am considering relocating. I used to live in a larger home in a 'nicer' area. The thing is there are disadvantages living in a home (in my opinion) as it relates to the topic depending on where you live.

For one, it's privacy. When you live in a home neighbors seem to notice you more and have more immediate access to you.

If you're in a high rise you have several barriers preventing immediate access to you and people don't seem to notice their neighbors as much.

If you live in the middle of nowhere you will be isolated from masses initially. If someone were to approach however...your land would stick out like a sore thumb.

SHTF aside I'd prefer to be more social and interactive with my neighbors. I kind of miss that smaller community feel.
I like the isolation and yes I have a few neighbors but the last visit from one was nearly a year ago,I intentionally let the exterior look run down the yard is unkept and almost always in need of a mowing,,,these people have the impression I am as poor as a church mouse,,,I am of the opinion it is not wise to look prosperous
 
wel

I like the isolation and yes I have a few neighbors but the last visit from one was nearly a year ago,I intentionally let the exterior look run down the yard is unkept and almost always in need of a mowing,,,these people have the impression I am as poor as a church mouse,,,I am of the opinion it is not wise to look prosperous

Do your neighbors prep and would you help them if they needed help?
 
Do your neighbors prep and would you help them if they needed help?
none of them prep that I know of,and your best friend could become your biggest enemy in a SHTF situation,,,it would be a wait and see type of thing,I am not going to do anything aggressive unless someone else starts first,,,it is more or less up to the neighbors
 
It's funny cause I think as a city boy I always imagined that most people in rural areas were at least semi-preppers.
 
It's funny cause I think as a city boy I always imagined that most people in rural areas were at least semi-preppers.
when I was young about 45 years ago canning was a big deal then, there were a lot of root cellars around also,,,,we have become to modern,there are not near as many people who put in a garden these days and the root cellar is becoming a thing of the past,,,a garden is a fair amount of work and I don't even want to talk about canning,,,,it is just to easy to go to the local market and buy what you need or want
 
I think I'm going to narrow my gun collection down and use money to invest in other essential items. I never really was a prepper. I was always a firearms enthusiasts but more as a hobbyist. There is a lot to be learned.
 

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