Guest Author Tom Grounder - Thoughts on what to have when you prep

Tom Grounder is back with another thought-provoking article on the items you should include in your emergency preparations.  Please pay special attention to his recommendations on firearms. Tom's business is firearms training so he speaks from experience. 

If you would like to learn more about Defensive Logic, please follow this link to Tom's website

Defensive Logic

Thank you, Tom!

These are recommendations based on my experience, my own desires to prep, research into history and my belief that such actions are necessary based on what I see the direction of the country going.  Remember that I’m an optimist!! I would love my prepping to be for nothing but ignoring it is not smart in my opinion.  I’m sure that you will find those that may differ with this.  This is strictly my personal feelings based on my training and research.  Each of you should reflect and consider your ability to provide food, needs, comfort and survivability for yourself and your loved ones defense.   

I have broken into “should have” and “get it if you can” categories.

Should have: FIREARMS

1 handgun – 9mm,40 or .45 ACP.   Some recommended models = Glock, Springfield Armory, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Taurus or whatever you can comfortably afford. Do not discount of brand or lesser know handguns.   I’m personally not a Glock fan myself… But they are in mass use worldwide and have a simplicity and dependability that is unquestioned.   Cost is very nominal compared to many other handguns on the market today.  Important: DO NOT discount revolvers.  Some family members may not have the ability to manipulate the operations of a semi-auto pistol. Age, size, injuries to hands, arthritis and other restrictions make revolvers a clear choice.  This allows for additional calibers from .22LR, .38 / Special, .357 Magnum and up.  Please don’t assume that I am saying that the .44 cal is not valid.  It is,… but is not nearly as main stream as the mentioned ones above.

1 Shotgun  - 12 gauge.  Preferably “tactical” in design. (short barrel in 16-18 in long.  It should have rifled sights instead of bead for accuracy with slugs. An extended tube magazine can be added to increase the amount of ready ammo by 1 to 4 more than the original tube.  It can defend, take large game and or small game depending of the ammo load.  You get lots of versatility in one weapon by selecting from the vast diversity of ammo. If you can get one that has an interchangeable long barrel to go from defense to game….that is the way to go.  Benelli, Mossberg, Remington, Rock Island) are some makers that offers such a platform.

1 Rifle - .22 cal  / ( .22 magnum or .17 HMR optional ). Relatively cheap ammo.    .22 is still relatively cheap to shoot and becoming more plentiful. They can provide food in small game form.   If accurate, you can take fairly larger game with well placed headshots. It can defend, has decent range (out to 100 yrds.)  The .17 HMR as ballistic performance and a flat trajectory out to 100+ yards that is outstanding.  For the size of the round (17 to 20+ grains) it has tremendous energy at impact.  

1 Rifle long barrel: large caliber = .30 Caliber Variant. Such as 30.06, .308. 30-30,   .308 caliber is 7.62 x 51 mm (NATO) lots of availability.  Many available Eastern bloc long guns are available in 7.62x 54 and 7.62 x 39. Very close but with distinct performance abilities.   This ammo is not only plentiful, but is cheap. These all provide great range from 100 – 300 yrds effectively with little / nominal training and practice.   All can take large game and can defend at very comfortable distances.   

If you do not own a good long gun, consider a Mosin Nagant.  The market is flooded with them.  They are easily had for between $150-250.00.  They do require massive cleaning to prep and standard cleaning after shooting is a bit more intensive, and a degree of attention to setting the firing pin depth is required, but they have great range, solid ballistics and ammo is ridiculous in availability and price.  A 440 round tin can be had for under $120.00. 

Get if you can:

A handgun for every capable person in the family.

1 Tactical weapon  - AR-15,  M4, Mini -14 style.  Caliber of .223 or 5.56mm.  (I use the term tactical as so many are familiar with that term.)  Many AR platforms will accept both the 5.56 and the .223 and are marked as such.   High capacity magazines (20- 30 rounds) = lots of firepower.   AK- style / SKS soviet bloc rifles.  Caliber of 7.62 x 39.   Ammo is plentiful thus cheap.  Either one of these weapons can take most med-large-game.  Great defensive and offensive weapon.  Good range if needed and practiced out to 100+ yards.   The more the merrier here is the rule.  This could be costly, but if you have able bodied persons in the family, they are a huge force multiplier.  One benefit for the case of soviet bloc firearms is ammo.  Much available stock is steel cased that many have an issue with firing through a non - soviet bloc firearm.  It only makes sense to have a something made by the soviet bloc nations.  The cost and availability of the ammo, ability of these firearms to eat anything put through them is worth it!

Multiple .22 rifles = one for each family member.  Preferably bolt action or semi auto.  This is without a doubt the most efficient way to not only provide, you can practice shooting and sharpen marksmanship skills in every age range for little investment in the weapon itself and the ammunition.  Handguns in the same caliber can be a life saver for those younger and not ready for large calibers.  Most rifles and handguns are semi auto with many rounds on tap.  They may be small, but multiple rounds of 23 to 40 grains moving at close to 1200+ fps can cause a re-think of actions.

There is no other round or firearm in the world that is considered the ultimate survival than the .22LR in rifle form.  Backed with a handgun in the same caliber and you have what I would consider the most valuable piece(s) of your arsenal.

Ammo.  Buy! Buy! Buy!    How much should you have??   In a defensive firefight between two parties, the average number of rounds fired is 7 to 12 in a matter of seconds.  You should be able to sustain endless confrontations.    In a scenario of defending home territory against multiple outside forces, an engagement can go on for hours or days!  Stock up on every caliber you own.  No amount is too much.   In the event of such calamity…this will serve as your ability to defend, feed, trade…and (reality check here) to acquire with force as needed.  

That last line may be hard to digest and sounds brutal and cold, but reality and history indicates that aggressive acts will be required as needed to ensure survival.  Alliances and barters will only go so far.  

To scavenge is a dangerous and often confrontational undertaking... AND A REQUIREMENT TO SUSTAIN YOUR SUPPLIES.  What you come across may be the difference between life and death for you or others. There will be those who…under panic, fear, terror of dying, desperation, hunger, wanting to provide for their loved ones, and simply evil intentions…will want what you have.   There will be no compassion, no concerns for your welfare or survival. 

Morality and common decency will not be something that you can appeal to or have the luxury to bestow.  Decisions to act must be made quickly and implemented.  At this point, what will be your intestinal fortitude?  Rule of Survival: Avoid conflict if you can. Never take with force what you can obtain with honorable trade or by scavenge.

But if an attacker fails in his/her attempt to take from you by your defensive posture,…then to the victor goes the spoils!  Take from them everything!  Chances are they will not need it any way.  Never allow an immediate threat (at that moment) to be a threat to you later.  Be decisive, deliberate, violent, and be deadly. Remember,… they made the choice to engage you.

 Collect basic medical supplies.  Antibiotics (topical and oral), bandages, wraps, band-aids, cortisone, pain killers, anti-inflammatory,    Military crash bags are great and often come stocked.  Sun screens, chap-sticks…etc.  There is no limit to what you should acquire in regards to this area. “Quik-Clot” is a must.  It hurts… but if you need to stop bleeding in a hurry, this is the way.

Not Thought of By Most.  Toilet Paper, cake-bar / liquid body soaps, deodorant, toothpaste and brushes, lotions, feminine products for women (and girls that will be dealing with it as age comes) in the group such as pads, panty liners, and tampons.  (These have many other uses besides the intended for example… tampons make great plugs for wound control.  A puncture or gunshot wound can be contained in its bleeding by a tampon as a temporary emergency fix.)  Emergency sewing kits should be obtained as with fishing gear! Look at everything you use today to make your life “comfortable” and imagine what would be the effect if you did not have it. Stock it!

Clothing for all scenarios and weather.  Footwear is critical.   Boots with lace up, military–tactical style with good support are highly recommended with a huge supply of socks. Jeans and or Fatigue style pants with multiple pockets are good to have at all times. Address all members of the family in this.  Young kids grow rapidly so consider that.

Collect and store non-perishable or long shelf -life foods.  Canned goods, dry goods, pre–packed meals, etc.  Look for high caloric foods. Estimate one meal each per day…two is optimal.  Caloric intake target should be 2000 minimal per day.    Ideally have enough to sustain 6 months for each member of the family at two meals a day.

Batteries , Candles, Oil Lamps and Cooking Option Abilities.   Have at least one good camp stove that is propane powered. Have plenty of the bottles to run it!  Most of us have a gas grill of some kind.  Stock up on the tanks and have them full and ready! Rotate them during the safe time before something happens but always keep them full.  Batteries for any and all lights /devices you have should be stock in levels that some may consider absurd!  A good investment into a wood smoker is a great idea.  The ability to burn charcoal and cooking woods is a huge benefit.   

RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF BOTTLED WATER! STORE IT NOW!   May I recommend Daily Bread and Shelf–Reliance. Please visit their websites at www.dailybread.com. and www.shelfreliance.com My family has taken this step and it is a good peace of mind.  6 months of these provisions for three is about 2500 to 3000.00.  Payment plans can be arranged if the budget cannot support the initial full layout.

Build to Store.  As you stock, find places where you can store supplies.  This may require some creative ingenuity on your part, but get after it!  Always keep in mind the issue of security and weather if you store outside the main dwelling and never store inside such items as gas, propane and major fuels.

This list is just basics.   You’re specific needs and desires will determine what you need or want to add to it.  Take about an hour or less and look around your home with the mindset that you have lost all power with no foreseeable end in sight.  What would be affected and what would you run out of quickly? What items would have an impact on your daily life (as you know it right now) if it was no longer available?  Consider the impact in magnitude.  If it was gone, what would be affected and how would that effect your overall comfort and ability to cope with the events that you may find yourself in? 

COMFORT IS IMPORTANT!  The ability to cope (think clearly, have normalcy, retain civility, to retain a strong moral compass) is rooted in your comfort and that of those around you.  Although less than what we experience now, little things will make a huge difference when faced with stressful situations of endurance. Remember that those without that comfort will reach levels of brutality that most cannot imagine to obtain it.  There is literally is no end to want you may want.  The idea of this material is to get you to think about your situation and have you expound on it as you feel.   In the end, I truly hope that all my preparation is in vain.

I’d like nothing more than step on my porch some morning and have a big sigh of relief.    I am ever optimistic of our future, but I’m not blind.   There is never more truth in this than now,….  “Hope for the best…but prepare for the worst!”