Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) (33 page)

•     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