any tips for fortifying a structure planned to be used for storage 2-5 years while out of town?

anybody know if traps are legal, leathal and non leathal, in WV even with signs warning of it? (in structure behind locked door)

Hey there ive got together an Inch bag and when looking at most "Nature" is either spruce and pine lumber plantations or open fields and grassland with occasional trees and shrubs. What survival strategies should i employ here to live off the Land? Is it even possible? And how could i stay Hidden from marauders? Please and thank you.

What boots do you all have specifically for bugging out? Seemed like this hasn't been talked about for a bit. Please don't destroy me.

Hello everyone. I currently have one of those tiny gas stoves, it works just fine. I was thinking that in some terrible situation where the bug out bag essentially turned into a "im not going home" bag, what stove would be best? I'm asking because I think being reliant on gas may not be the best long term, and was looking at some titanium wood stoves or rocket stoves. Does anyone have a preference to what they enjoy?

To be short about this, I’m wondering about potential for portable communications that would be viable between myself and family members/friends that live within a 20 mile radius of flatland in coastal New England. I’m not sure if this is truly feasible, but if anybody knows of a brand of wallow talkie/portable radio that could handle this. Let me know the brand. Not exactly hard up on paying license. More just something I could give my parents/brother/brother in law so we could we be in contact during a SHTF scenario. Thanks

Would a hand crank solar radio survive and emp with not Faraday protection or any other protection alike?

I know this isn't a particularly sexy topic compared to guns and survival equipment, but just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for me. I'm looking for a warm, lightweight, packable jacket to go in my bugout bag. I would love for it to be reversible, with one side being a subdued color (black or grey) and the other side being high-visibility (neon orange/yellow, preferably with reflectors). If anyone could give me a recommendation, I would greatly appreciate it!

What to prioritise for prep with approx $1500? I’m considering ham radio for myself and loved ones few hundred miles away, power bank and solar or micro wind generation. Then a very decent first aid/medical kit. Thoughts ?

Sat you're flying a thousand miles from home for a week long stay at a resort with your family. What considerations do you make for the off chance that thing get wild while you're there?

I'm gonna be in Florida with my SO and two kids (3&6) during the eclipse that will obviously start the apocalypse. So I've been thinking about whether it would be worthwhile to try to get back to New England, what kind of equipment can I bring, and how to navigate a completely unfamiliar environment. All the prepping I've done so far has been based around our home town and haven't really thought about what to do somewhere else.

So shoot in the arm while looting in the ruins of nyc. I tourniquet up but now what. My arm is numb and I'm scared.

What do I do after applying tourniquet.

Something I am missing that I need and I want to buy something I know works when I need it

Gonna list a few items and see if you all think they are good for starting a bug out bag, and please say what you would add as well as good options for similar gear. (Plus would this all fit in the bag?)

Helikon Tex raccoon mk2 Helikon Tex swagman roll poncho Helikon Tex poncho us model DD hammocks 3m x 3m tarp Silky big boy 2000 outback edition Fiskars x11 splitting axe Gerber strongarm plain edge Uberleben 5” kraftig fire starter Grayl geopress Grayl geopress nesting cup by self reliance outfitters 50’ of 550 cord Zippo lighter Arcturus outdoor survival blanket Morakniv garberg blackblade with survival kit MSR guardian gravity purifier Lifestraw Camelback 3L reservoir Medkit Heavy duty trash bag

I feel like I need to prepare for something, but at the same time the cost feels too high. Even a decent backpack sets you back hundreds of euros.

Do you guys have a lot of money to spend or just see it so important that money isn't a problem?

Wanting to know if anyone (I'm sure a lot are) is running drones as part of their setup, what they're using, and what kind of results they're getting.

I'm looking at a DJI Avata (seems to be what the IDF is using in Gaza) primarily for the capability to see what's over the next hill, around the next corner and possibly who's in that building w/ the open door/window/hole blown in the wall.

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts.

Any recommends for a good backpack?

Hey everyone, first time poster here. My wife and I are moving to an area that's had some wildfire warnings in the past. What are some solid respirator options that we can throw on in the event of an evacuation, particularly for small children?

TIA.

I'm more then aware this topic is a dead horse but here is my take, bc I need some since talked into me. I currently have a 16" 5.56 and I am in the middle building a 16" LR308, when the thought hit me: if bugging out I only have what I can carry so I'd have to leave the rest behind.

I'm poor, a father of 2, and a wife on social security bc she cant work, and every purchase has a purpose when I finish my 308 it will be the most expensive thing I own other then a vehicle that's gonna be my BOV. I cannot fathom leaving the 308 behind to take my 5.56 with me so the 308 can become a "loot drop" to some thug or maurader who will kick in my door when I'm gone.

The 308 gives me more options: hunting, ranged (if necessary), barrier penetration, and I've seen AP rounds from a 30-06 handloaded to 308 and penetrates 3/4 inch thick steel up to 500 yards that I'm drooling over. The 5.56 on the other hand is a defensive round to me and I dont have a group, yet. Sure I can have doubled the capacity (at 1/3 the power), and can hunt with 5.56 but I wouldnt do it without a 20 inch barrel and being dependent on shot placement more then the 308, and I already compromised on less velocity in a velocity dependent cartridge by going with the 16" (and it was so the 5.56 can fit better as a home defense role over the 308 with the muzzle brake indoors). Another concern is guns will be used for self defense and hunting in SHTF and with no group to bug out and/or relocate to, and a wife to handle the kids and keep them safe out of danger so technically I'd be the only "shooter". So distance is definitely a part of the MO and goes hand in hand with area recon and other early warning systems.

Logistics you say? I'm thinking selling the 16" 5.56 upper and going even shorter down to 10.5" (wait, 10.5 for HD? Dont I need a suppressor or lose my hearing?) then giving it to the Misses. It will be with a .22lr conversion bolt kit for bugging out and if need to use 5.56 just swap bolts and pick up magazines (why not the whole rifle?). Also thinking of a Katrina type event when police was confiscating guns and mass hoarding people concealment is a thing. The 308 fits in the rucksack taken apart so if I had to hide it I can. And the 5.56/.22lr can fit in my wife's bag taken apart (unless I get a side folding adapter. Wait, will the .22lr conversion work still?).

I need help but I feel like I already "figured it out" If it matters I work in the city live in the edge of the city family outside the city and more family 2 hours away in small towns.

I'd like to add a weapon to my bug out bag/shtf bag, for the purpose of hunting. Animals like ducks, geese, chickens, swans, etc.

Firearms are not an option. The only ones I can buy (pinfire) are the ones I can't buy ammunition for. The alternative is black powder which doesn't really help all that much in a bug out/shtf situation.

So far, the options I came up with are:

1. Air rifle. The problem is, the smaller ones are using compressed air or other methods, that require me to take extra consumables with me. That only lasts a very short time and it becomes useless rather quickly. The other alternative are the break barrel types. But those are very long and very heavy. That will slow me down.
2. Crossbow. This might be a good option, but if I go that route, I want something that's compact and if possible lightweight and I know nothing about it.

In light of the increasing threat of massive cyberattacks and the growing intensity of solar flares as we enter a new solar maximum…. What are some ways to prepare for interruption of cellular networks, GPS, satellite and other communication systems, or larger infrastructure such as electric, transportation?

Due to recent events I'm sure more than one person is thinking how to stay in touch if shtf and communication goes down.

I travel for work and want to know are there any pre paid plans? Just load it up with minutes. Use it when needed and done? I'm only finding monthly plans.

Just to check in loved ones no voice needed

Something that’s not super expensive?

Any tips on how to reduce time while bugging out? Did a practice run just to see how much longer it would taking taking backroads and side streets on the edge of my city. Normally on the freeway it takes me 30 minutes to get out, taking side roads took me about 2 hours to get out.

I am in the process of re doing the family bags since there has been an addition.

We have inflatable pads which are great when you want to sleep on the floor but, not right away. Foam isn’t as comfortable and cots, even the UL ones are bigger and heavier. Honestly I have never carried around a cot but I have used them.

What are you guys using and how do you like them?

I am probably going to switch to cots because they fit with my plan better.

I know, I know. It was this or my ar15 and I really like the m1a. Plus it's a while lot of energy behind an m80 ball. I'm thinking 6x20 mags. 3 on the carrier, one in the gun, 2 in the bag. Thoughts?

I see quite a bit of posts about the perfect bug out vehicle, the perfect long-lasting bug out vehicle the best diesel vehicle Etc and I'm probably one of those people that have considered all of those things but something just occurred to me about natural gas powered vehicles.

I was wondering if anybody has thought about this because natural gas engines last longer due to less corrosion, generally get better fuel economy, the fuel can be stored indefinitely and is cheaper than gasoline or diesel.

The downside is availability of vehicles, of course but you can certainly convert the vehicles to run on NG.

Since this will be the first time I move out on my own, I have little knowledge of what I should prep for in an apartment aside from my reading materials giving me the basics for Bug-Out-Bags (B.O.B's). I'm hoping it won't be too different compared to prepping within a household, so any and all suggestions, both storage and security, and everything in between, would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I'm holding off on getting the Renter's Insurance until I move in, simply for the sake of saving what I can.

My mom just fall down the stair not long ago (lucky it was only like 2 steps) so I had to use the first aid kit in my bug out bag. Just some disinfection and a few bandages but it makes me rethink about whole bugout and prepping thing.

There is no first aid kit in my house except for the one in my bag. Recently I am not super interested in prepping anymore but it's nice to have something just in case, normally you don't have to use it until you have to.

making a safety plan for the first time in my life and struggling with finding a reliable way to communicate with my sibling in a scenario where both of our phones dont work (maybe towers are down, maybe grid fails, maybe both our phones are dead/broken/lost/etc). we live in a dense city and while we are 4 miles apart we are separated by lots of hills, commercial/residential buildings. i was hoping strong walkie talkies may be sufficient but the more i spend in this sub the more it sounds like that may not be sufficient.

any suggestions?

biggest concern for us is earthquake/flooding so we would be aiming for open space/safer location in our respective districts and communicating plan of action after that which is why its important to us.

What's the most slept on component to a BOB? That one thing that truly is incredibly versatile, or this combo of things that is game changing, but people seem to disregard its value? You have to make room for this if you want to better your load out and truly make the difference.

So I got my bug out bag, got a plan, all the stuff, except I forgot about my dog, I got room left in my bag but not much, what should I do about my pup, (She's a runt Lab mix so medium-small size). I've thought about getting her a vest or something but I don't think that's enough.