Tag Archives: airsoft

What We Did This Week To Prep 5/11/12

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Today is my 100th post. On one hand that number amazes me and I can’t believe I’ve written that much, but on the other it seems like I’ve been doing this forever. I said I’d write, three times a week, for a year and see where I am at that point — I’m into the 9th month.

We went to Costco. It was a relatively light trip, actually under budget. Since we had a little extra, we again added to our stock of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Right now OTC generic meds, like: ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), diphenhydramine (Benadryl, for allergies), loperamide (anti-diarrheal), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, for congestion), guaifenesin (Mucinex, a cough suppressant), hydrocortisone (topical for skin problems), loratadine (Claritin, 24-hour allergy med) and daily multi-vitamins are all cheap and readily available. If you keep them stored in a cool, dry, dark place, they’ll last a long time. There may be a time in the future they’re not as readily available, so stock up now–even if you don’t use them much on a regular basis–you’ll be glad you have them then. Remember, as with all your preps, rotate your stock and always use the oldest first.

On the medication category we also budgeted money to buy more fish antibiotics. We already have the fish version of amoxicillin, cephalexin, and metronidazole. I ordered more amoxicillin (probably the best, widest spectrum antibiotic available in the “fish market”), more cephalexin (a good antibiotic to use for cellulitis, which I believe will be a very common type of collapse infection), doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. We’re still not quite where I want to be, but probably a good 2/3rds of the way. Again, these are only to use after a total collapse, but at that point they will be life-saving. This is another item you can buy now, easily and inexpensively and safely store for years; and it’ll be invaluable to have in your preps if the SHTF. Unlike almost everything else we store, this is not to be rotated and used on a regular basis. This is only for a collapse, and then only to be used with proper care and education, and sparingly. If things collapse, on a large-scale, it’s likely these will never be available again.

We’ve been shooting airsoft regularly and really enjoying our little airsoft pistol. Sarah, Ryan, Alison, and I have all been shooting on our small “indoor range” inside the house; now that the weather is getting nice we go outside and shoot cans and plastic bottles off the picnic table (Sarah, especially, is getting really good). Since we’re using it so much I’ve decided to upgrade to a better, more accurate airsoft pistol. I’m also considering getting a tactical-style rifle to incorporate into our training.

On a related note, security and home defense have been in the forefront of my mind this past week. I recently read Holding Their Own and looked through Holding Your Ground, both by Joe Nobody. Also a prepper friend and I have been discussing homestead security concerns and ways to address them. Then Jack, on The Survival Podcast, did a show this week on “Security During a Break Down” (TSP episode 899) which made me do even more thinking on the topic. Security isn’t something to panic about, but it definitely needs to be part of your planning. As Jack said on the show, of your five basic needs, your body tells you when you need food, water, shelter, and energy–but sometimes you don’t know you need security until it’s too late.

I hope everyone is enjoying their spring weather and shaking off the “long dark winter” cobwebs; it’s been especially nice here. If at all possible, plant a garden this summer, start it this week if you haven’t already (it’s not too late). Even if it has to be something small; start learning the skills, eating healthier food, and learning an appreciation for growing something with your own hands.

What did you do this week?

What I Did This Week To Prep 12/2/11

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We planted our winter compost crop seed mix this week. The seeds arrived last week (from Bountiful Gardens), but because the ground was frozen we had to wait for warmer weather. There is a mixture of vetch, wheat, and rye, and then the fava beans are planted separately. We’ve never done this before and are not exactly sure what to expect. Will it look like just a bunch of weeds growing? And it seems strange to plan to grow stuff, just to cut it down and leave it in the dirt. I understand the concept and the experts say it’s a good idea, so the only way to fully understand it is to do it. We also sprinkled Dutch White Clover seeds on the backyard areas with less grass which, hopefully, will expand throughout the yard.

Shooting real firearms in suburbia isn’t very convenient, plus winter is frequently cold and wet when you go to the range, and ammunition quickly gets expensive. So I’m going to try using airsoft guns as an alternative way to practice and teach shooting skills. I got the idea from listening to Jack Spirko’s TSP, Becoming a Better Shooter and Trainer with Airsoft Guns (Episode 671). Last week Ryan and I went and bought a Crossman Air Mag C11 CO2 pistol, a box of CO2 cartridges, and a 2000 pellets (total cost less than $100). We came home and built a frame (8 1/2 by 11 inches), with a plywood back, lined the inside with a towel (to absorb the impact and prevent ricochet), and tacked up a normal piece of paper with a target drawn on it. We hung it on the wall and paced off ten feet. Sarah, Ryan, Alison, Emily and I took turns shooting in our custom indoor-range. I think it will be a good cost and time-saving, teaching and practice tool. Of course it’s not the real thing, but it’s the right weight and size and it allows you to practice: stance, grip/hand placement, sight alignment and sight picture, and trigger control. About the only thing missing is the loud “bang” and recoil. I’m excited about this new training venue. Once we get our skills up to a good level, we can–since it’s not a real gun and can be shot in the house–practice some “what if a stranger breaks into the house” scenarios. I think this will be a good winter activity that will allow any and all of us, who want to shoot, to have almost unlimited practice.

December 1st was yesterday. 2011 is almost over. Now is the time to reflect on our 2011 goals and either hurry up and finish, or revise as necessary. My post the last Friday of this month/year will be: What I Did This Year To Prep. Then, in early January, I’ll write: Goals For 2012. I’d encourage you to reflect back on this year and start thinking about your goals for next year.

Lastly, I wanted to link to some follow-up information regarding antibiotics in our long-term preps. From The Doom and Bloom Hour blog with Dr. Bones, a medical doctor, and his wife Nurse Amy, a Nurse Practitioner: Antibiotics And Their Use In Collapse Medicine, Part 1 and Antibiotics And Their Use In Collapse Medicine, Part 2. I applaud this couple for their diligence and determination to share life-saving material about collapse medicine. It is difficult to get good information on this topic and they are my top resource.

What did you do?