Apocalypse man

[nadinbrzezinski]

ok folks to all of you who have had to take a survival course for whatever reason (Me desert rescue) this is a refresher.

Still, here is the critical question... why the hell are they running this on TV NOW?

There is a chance that some folks want to seed some ahem fear onto the population.

And as usual, did pick up a piece of info or two that MIGHT come handy. Steel wool and 9 v battery... well that will go into a survival kit... you can bet on that. Easier to use than other fire starters... still need to pick up a steel flint. But still WHY the hell are they running a program who's premise is... here is how you survive after Armageddon?

Oh and cute, don't know of too many people who carry regularly 11 mm kermantle static lines...

[NYC_SKP]

1. Yesterday was another show, After the Apocalypse, about an LA family trying to survive.

And then this one tonight.

I had the same thought as you.

:shrug:

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. There are days I wonder about the apocalypse channel

Now I will give him credit where credit is due.

Worst case scenario, which is what this guy is dealing with... you do need to go into full tactical operations...

But how many people know any of this? Again, this is a question. WHY are we even running these programs?

It is also dealing with a good sense of ahem distrust and paranoia.

Oh and force multiplier... ah the memories... in a program meant for civies?

[Mojorabbit]

2. I missed it

do tell about the 9v and steel wool. I love stuff like this, was a girl scout when I was young.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Make the steel wool as loose as you can

mostly as you would do with oh straw or wood chips.

Them make contact with the steel wool, both positive and negative. It will get get it going, and that is your fire starter.

Oh and goes without saying, don't store them together.

[Mojorabbit]

22. Cool

I will try it tomorrow. Thanks.

[AlienGirl]

4. The public has developed an insatiable thirst for Doom.

Even the local bars are advertising Post-Apocalyptic themes along with Goth and Steampunk. Here in Seattle, they are calling it Doompunk.

from http://www.doompunks.org:


Tucker

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I'm hoping January 1st 2013 puts an end to this

but hey, not counting on it.

Fascinating site, hell written a few short stories set in a world after the end... so yes you could say I am a student of this as well.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Is that Ft. Casey?

[AlienGirl]

9. I don't think it says where.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. Ever been there?

If you're in Seattle, it'd make a neat day trip.

[AlienGirl]

13. Nope. It's on Whidbey, right?

Maybe when the weather gets better--in June or so...

Tucker

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Yeah, next to the Port Townsend ferry terminal.

It's an old WWII artillery base. The idea was that if the Japanese Navy ever steamed into Puget Sound, these big guns would pop up and blast them out of the water.

It's still got all the concrete bunkers. One or two of the big guns preserved for posterity. And some battle damage- some metal work that was recycled from a ship that took machine gun fire.

It's a neat place to take pictures, some really spooky spots to go exploring in, and a great place for a picnic.

[Romulox]

18. A natural (probably instinctual) response to overwhelming corruption.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Now I like that theory

and if you are correct 2013 will not bring it to an end.

:-)

Might be interesting to research.

[Romulox]

23. Do you remember the song "the Roof is on Fire" from the '80s?

It was extremely popular in Detroit.

Call: The Roof! The Roof! The Roof is on fire!
Response: We don't need no water let that motherfucker burn!

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Ane with Michael Moore, that was a soundtrack some tankers

went to war with.

[apocalypsehow]

6. I'm here, and not going anywhere. Get over it.

Oh, wait....

[Warpy]

10. you can use something like a discarded, nearly dead D cell, too

This stuff is good to know if you fall into homelessness, if you're stuck somewhere and the best resource is a dump, or if you're caught in a natural disaster and have to improvise, fast.

It's also nice to know how to take buggy, polluted water, run it through a coffee filter or even some wadded up cloth to get the worst crap out and do a solar drip still. It won't make enough water to do cooking or bathing but it will make enough to keep you alive.

It's also great to know you can boil iffy water in a paper cup. The bottom ring will get toasted, but the cup itself will remain far below combustion temperature thanks to the water inside.

Tin cans are great for hammering into tools, using as pots and pans. You can also start a fire with the polished bottom of an aluminum soda or beer can and a little dry grass.

There are a lot of hobo tips and tricks on the web, along with video demonstrations at You Tube.

I'm no survivalist nut, but I've actually had to do some of this stuff in the past. It's better to have the knowledge and never need it than to need it desperately and be stuck.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I have used these skills in rescue situations

as a rescuer you are not one who wants to become a victim.

Of course I HAD some of the tools with me, and that included the ability to boil water and filter water, by the way... very thin mesh socks also work to clean iffy water... more or less. The thinner the mesh the better. I used cotton once, and gauze too.

Now the info does not bother me. It is the way they have chosen to deliver it. I mean Bear Grills does not go... go into full tactical mode and don't trust your shadow because the world is dead.

Before all the paranoia took over the country I used to carry a swiss army knife all the time... that thing saved my butt more than once.... and once literally.

Oh and for the survival kit I am a fan of having an old fashioned bayonet in it. The blade is strong and in a pinch it can even make a handhold once you drive it into the ground... yes been there done that. I am a fan of the Vietnam Era ones by the way. They are STRONG and even after abuse like that they are easy to bring back to shape.

[Warpy]

14. Yeah, the paranoia is incredibly stupid

but I guess they figure that will sell the show to Joe Six Pack Suburbanite.

That's why I suggested looking for hobo tips. They come with sharing with your buddies on the road.

[galileoreloaded]

16. You just stated you had a survival kit. Why bother...............n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. I live in quake country

it is good practice to have that at home.

[AlienGirl]

19. Same in hurricane, tornado, or blizzard country. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. 'xactly

and people should have one in the car for cold weather, desert and other possible situations as well.

In fact I need to get some new supplies and renew mine. I am thinking MREs this time.

:-)

Yep I renew supplies every so often.

[darealist]

25. It was a so-so show

My primary issues w/ the show were:

1) Using the sewers w/o having a working gas detector (especially after a apocalyptic disaster) is a poor idea.Hydrogen sulfide gas will kill you in about two minutes. Methane a little slower.
2) Walking around is waste of energy and time. A good mountain bike will make traveling and evasion easier,allow you to carry much more weight and can be replaced and discard as needed.
3) Construction companies will have both radios AND diesel fuel available if it's being sought.So will school bus yards,harbors and marinas.
4) Traveling along power line right-of-ways is an efficient and easy to travel long distances,avoiding most roads and all but the most determined or knowledgeable people.I was surprised that this was left out.
5) Caches of food,clothing,ammo,etc should be hidden around a city (any city) in case you find yourself having to change location.

And finally,

6) I didn't think that the host emphasized that leaving the city after a disaster is usually the BEST idea. With no firefighters,police officers,utility repairmen,maintenance workers,etc, a city (ANY city) is a firestorm or chemical spill waiting to happen.
IMHO,a suburban hospital or industrial park is the best place to set up your first "bug out" location.Then follow that up w/ an island in a rural lake or river.
I'm again surprised that the host didn't suggest those areas.