Read Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) Online
Authors: Bobby Akart
• Solar-power, or other renewable/long-term power, setup capable of running all mission critical devices for indefinite period, working eventually to powering entire household
• Deep Cycle Batteries
• 1000 Watt Inverter
• Stored Gasoline
• Sta-Bil for stored Gasoline
• Stored Diesel
• Spare parts for Alternate Energy generations, (fuses, wire, connectors, inverter parts, etc.)
• Candles
• Propane Lanterns
• Oil Lamps
• Headlamps for everyone
Clothing
• Three complete changes of rugged clothes for all members
• Three complete changes of sleep clothes for all members
• Seven changes of underclothes for each member
• One pair of rugged, waterproof boots for each member
• Socks – Socks - Socks
• One pair of comfortable shoes (sneakers, sandals, etc.) for each member
• Outer gear (boots, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, etc) for all climates (cold weather, rain, etc.)
• Spare shoe & boot laces
• Fourteen changes of underclothes for each member
• Spare boots (rugged and waterproof)
• Spare comfort shoes
• Ability to make/repair clothes
• Ability to make/repair boots and shoes
• Quantity of various materials for repairs and creation of clothing
• Second (spare) set of outer gear for all climates
Communications
• World Band Radio
• Hand Crank Weather Band, AM/FM Radio
• Base Station Short Wave Radio
• Ham Radio, Bao-Feng or equivalent
• CB Radio
• Two-Radios
• Bullhorns
• Tactical Communications (0 – 5 miles), generally a hand-held radio unit (FRS, GMRS, Ham, CB, etc.), to transmit and receive, with extra batteries (see also alternate energy)
• Shortwave radio with SSB capability, for general listening of world events
• Basic computer to access the Internet and review files (.doc. .pdf. .html. etc.) {it should be obvious that an Internet connection goes along with this}
• AM/FM radio, battery operated (TV sound optional, but might be worthwhile if you are close to a TV broadcast tower that can run on emergency power)
• Plans and equipment for making expedient antennas (see Information and Plans)
• Radio and computer manuals and backup discs (see Information and Plans)
If you have a cell phone, have a 12VDC charging cord for it, and a spare battery for it
• Pocket list of contact numbers for family, friends, team members (see also Information and Plans)
• Long distance phone calling card that doesn’t expire
• Pocket list of frequencies (see also Information and Plans)
• USB drive containing pocket computer system (OS, files, programs, PGP, etc.)
• USB drive containing your data files
• Door Intercom for communicating with people outside your door, while staying safe inside
• Short-distance Communications (up to 50 miles) (generally, a mobile ham VHF/UHF radio and a vehicle or yagi antenna), transmit and receive
• Pocket radio for short-distance digital communications (can be particularly useful for local Groups/Teams/Family Units)
• Long-distance communications (greater than 50 miles), generally ham HF, transmit and receive
• Ham Radio Email, like Wavemail or Winlink/Netlink over HF and possibly VHF (Packet)
• Satellite phone
• Always store your electronics in Faraday Cages when not in use.
• Defense (Safety and Security)
• Each member of the household should have the following weapons:
• Full size handgun and a concealed carry weapon (same caiber)
• Shotgun
• Hunting rifle (for sniping and hunting)
• Battle rifle (AR15, AR10, or AK47)
• .22 Caliber rifle and handgun for training
• A “throwaway weapon” that your willing to give up in the event of gun confiscation. It’s better to give up a “throwaway” to divert attention from your real weapons cache.
• One thousand rounds per weapon.
• Every handgun has a holster, every rifle and shotgun has a sling; cases for all firearms
• Several magazines for every firearm that uses one
• Cleaning gear for all firearms
• Spare parts for every firearm, and detailed manuals
• Reloading equipment and supplies for each of your main calibers
• Security system that monitors home inside perimeter
• Knives
• Machete
• Compound Bow
• Extra Arrows
• Slingshot
• Snare Wire
• Monitoring system so that you know when someone has breached key areas of your property
• Outside floodlights on motion sensors covering the outside perimeter of home and any other key areas on property
• Put out small fires (a fire extinguisher for kitchen, garage and every level of the home)
• Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors on all floors
• Camera surveillance around home, complete 360 degrees
• Motion and seismic sensors monitoring perimeter and other key areas of property
• External fire suppression system
• Add laminate to exterior windows (resists break-ins, etc.)
• Hardened Safe room, from physical assaults (weather, crime, etc.)
• Night Vision (mono- or binocular)
• You can’t have too many fire extinguishers. You need to be able to put out a fire quickly, especially if there is no fire department available.
Financial Preparedness
• Cash on hand
• Supply of hard currency (silver, gold, etc.)
• Supply of barter goods (We suggest heirloom seeds)
• Ability to capitalize on opportunities (like, group buys or cheap land after a crisis/pandemic)
• Know the silver content of junk silver and the gold content of various coins and how to convert that into current market value
• Know how to calculate and determine specific gravity for various metals (how to spot fake silver and gold)
• Use gold to store larger amounts of wealth and silver for smaller amounts. Silver is also better in a barter environment.
Cooking Off The Grid
• Gas Grill
• Camp Stove
• Rocket Stove
• Solar Dehydrator
• Meat Grinder
• Grain Grinder
• Non-electric Can Opener
• Fire Pit
• Solar Oven
• Spare Propane
• Matches and Lighters
• Butane Stove
• Cast Iron Cookware
• Food Storage
• Stored food for as long as you plan on living
• Wheat
• Rice
• Pasta
• Beans
• Oatmeal
• Dry Milk
• Honey
• Sugar
• Vinegar
• Lemon Juice
• Cooking Oil
• Coffee/Tea
• Canned Goods
• Spices
• Condiments
• Water Enhancers
• Baking Essentials (Yeast, Salt, etc.)
• Sprouting Seeds
• Non-hybrid, Heirloom Garden Seeds
• Portable capability for minimum-prepared foods for 14 days (for traveling, short-term missions, etc.)
• Gather more food: hunt, fish, trap/snare, gather wild plants
• Dress and prepare gathered food
• Keep perishable food cold using alternative energy methods for 30 days (see Alternative Energy)
• Disposable flatware for 30 days
• Open cans and other packaging
• Cook food 3 times a day with alternate methods for 30 days (minimum, work up to 90 days)
• Have cookware that can be used over an open fire (pots, pans, kettles, etc.)
• Durable cooking utensils (including pots, pans, etc.)
• Equipment to cook over fire pit (grates, tripods, hooks, etc.)
• Recipes for making a variety of dishes from the food you store
• Spices to make food more palatable, enjoyable, varied