As I reviewed Charlie Palmer’s book, The Prepper Next Door: A Practical Guide For Disaster And Emergency Planning, I kept a notebook and pen beside me and a highlighter in hand. His book contains a lot of good information and I highlighted or wrote down notes about: stuff that I wanted to remember, stuff I knew that I needed to be reminded of, things I thought of while I was reading, and some brand new (to me) ideas. I appreciate that Charlie doesn’t hesitate to recommend products, resources, and websites; there are many I now need to follow-up on and learn more about.
Here’s a sampling of my notes/highlights from his book:
- N95 masks effectively block the H1N1 virus
- purchase masks with air exhalation valves so your glasses don’t fog up
- have back-up water even if you have a well, your well could become contaminated
- add two more 55-gallon rain barrels
- add two more 5-gallon water jugs
- consider rain collection on our greenhouse
- 4 mm plastic sheeting has a variety of uses
- research Katadyn Survivor 35 water filter, it’s expensive but it can desalinate water
- use Pool Shock (calcium hypochlorite) for water purification (store extra for neighbors)
- watch Twilight Zone episode “The Shelter”
- add two more cases of MREs
- look up nitro-pac.com
- research XL50 Maglites (3 AAA) flashlight
- research Tech 40 flashlight
- look up brightbuy.com
- research Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries (we just bought some)
- buy small battery powered (AA or AAA) AM/FM/shortwave radio (consider Eton Mini 300 PE)
- look up NorthernTool.com
- stock up extra spark plugs (can the same ones be used for all vehicles and the generator?)
- look up OBXSOLWIND’s Youtube channel for DIY solar and wind power
- put lithium batteries in flashlights in the cars and BOBs (if they need to be used around the house, substitute rechargeable batteries)
- look up YouTube: The Survival Bookshelf (review of prepper books)
- research Ruger Mark III .22 and Browning Buckmark .22 pistols
- look up gun-test.com for gun reviews (no paid advertisers)
- look up sootch00prepper for gun reviews from a prepper angle
- research ArmaLite AR-10
- consider 20 gauge shotgun for Sarah
- reseach Ruger SP101 (8 shot revolver 22LR)
- research body armor at Youtube channels MrLockandload and CitySurvivalist, and website bulletproofme.com
- to find your home’s security weaknesses, consider how you would break-in to your own home if you had to…
- look up lorextechnology.com for security cameras
- the Bug Out Bag chapter is a great guide on getting started and/or assuring you have everything you’re ‘supposed’ to
- most of his BOV chapter was a learning experience for me; mechanical things (including cars) are not my strength
- The welding part was also interesting; I don’t know anything about welding, but would like to learn
As I stated in my review, “the book isn’t just for novices, there are many things a seasoned prepper will learn.” I learned a lot, I’m glad I read it, and I consider it a valuable resource.
Good info.
I’m a huge fan of Lorex cameras and have a similar setup to this one:
http://www.lorextechnology.com/Wireless-security-system-and-home-security-solutions-|-LOREX/home-camera-systen-with-9-inch-monitor-and-intercom-feature/1953.p
For around $500 you can have a display and 4 wireless cameras that take 30 minutes to setup and do not interfere with your wifi network. I’ve used this setup but recently bought a different receiver so that I can display the 4 cameras on a 21″ TV that I have mounted on the wall.
The best parts are “night vision”, “record on motion”, and “quad mode” which allows you to see a display with all 4 cameras and continues to record on motion on each camera (one at a time) while bringing the camera with motion detected to full screen while recording for full effect.
Thanks Josh, sounds like a great recommendation. I have added that to my ‘to-get’ list.
That link didn’t work quite right.
Trying this one instead.
That worked. Very nice system. I can see the advantage to using the 21″ monitor, 9″ is pretty small.
I started with the 7″ monitor and it was not that great although the storage is onto an SD card which makes it easy to transfer to the computer, as long as you have an SD card slot or reader in your computer.
I ended up buying a different system that came with 1 camera and a receiver — this model — and one more camera as I had only two cameras with my initial setup so this put me up to 4 which is the max with these systems (important limitation to note!). The larger monitor is great.
One issue that I have yet to solve is security of the SD card storage while I’m away. Someone could break in and destroy the receiver or simply remove the SD card and I’d have no record of the incident. I need to construct a protective cage or other device that will allow wifi signals in but not allow theft or destruction of the device.
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This sounds lke it might be a good read. Food for thought as it might get the old brains cells here bounceing around.
And just thinking about Josh’s post above about SD cards. Those can be hidden anywhere. Sometimes we have to think outside the box. Remember the old “Hide a Key” that you would put a spare car key in. Well you could put a SD card or two in one and hide that anywhere. If you hide it outside then it could be stuck anywhere.
I just mention outsiode because I am thinking of also having a computer available in a bug out vehicle also. So I am thinking of one of those netbooks. Be small and easy to store in a vehicle that you need to live in. Now I just have to read on how much these little computers can be “jazzed up” and find someone to do it.
There’s a lot to be said for the cliche, “thinking outside the box.” When it comes to your preps think about what you’d really not want to go without — a lot of people forget computers and digital information.
I thought about that also. But what can I say, I like having my genealogy with me. Plus I can carry a lot of books too. That would be lighter then trying to carry all your survival books, or trying to decide which survival books to take with you. Just my thought.