Greetings From Michigan!

**RICHFL** · 08-19-2012, 01:09 PM

First all welcome to the forum. I will let you read my little speech to all new comers looking to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Take my advice to heart it will save you a lot of money...

You have to sit down and make some major decisions before you begin:

1. What type(s) of disasters do you want to prepare for?

- There is two major categories of disasters and two different time frames Involved:

a. Natural where you cannot do much to prevent it, You can (Bug-Out) get out of the way of Weather including tornadoes and hurricanes. You can (SIP) Stay In Place for the earthquakes, wild fires, etc.

b. Man-Made where again you can Bug-Out or SIP for war/terror attacks, Nuclear/Chemical Spill, financial/economic collapses, etc.

c. Time Frames: It can include either type disaster; if you feel it may take years to recover to a few days/weeks. Each time frame has it's supply build up to survive needs.

2. How many people in your group/How many days, months, years to prepare for?

- You need to figure out how much food, water and other supplies will be need to support the group.

a. Food:

- you need a minimum of 2000 calories per adult per day (SIP) and above 3000 while Bugging-Out.

- A Good formula for total calories is No. of people X No. of days X 2000/3000 + 10 Percent = Your No.

b. Water:

- Water weighs-in at 8 pounds per gallon so is hard to carry far. If Bugging Out you need portable water filters in your Bug-Out bags. Filter raw water as you move on.

- If SIP you need a minimum of 2 sources of fresh water. Do not count county/city water as a source. You can use private wells, lakes, rivers, etc.

- F.E.M.A. now states you need 3-5 gallons of water each day for survival use. Before Katerina it was 1.

3. What skills will you need to make up your Group?

- Within most groups you can break down it into several sections:

Leader(s) (Headquarters Section) are the final decisions makers concerning the group as a whole.

Medical Section is concerned with all health and sanitation issues. Must have qualified medical personnel plus water/sewer treatment tech.

Site Maintenance Section is responsible for cooking, food/water storage, farming, animal control, etc. Largest group with many special job requirements.

Scroungers Section is responsible for finding things needed to support the group. They are the hunters and fishing experts. Used by Security for RECON of local area. Younger ex-military types for their ability to hunt and provide outside security.

Security Section is responsible for internal and external security of the group, including firearms, hand-to-hand, and weapons maintenance training for the group. Senior ex law/military type to oversee inside law enforcement and outside security.

4. How many people in your group

The number is up to you to decide. How many people from your immediate and extended family, your friends, etc. Remember the more people involved, the greater the amount of food, water, and other supplies needed.

This my groups' setup: it involves 5 states, 30 adults, (?) on number of kids, and has purchased a farm in MN as our ultimate hide out. We have been working together since 1995.

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I have started posting Beginning Lessons to break down major areas into manageable levels including links, research tips, and lists.

Lessons include: food/food storage, water, Basic planning guide, Homemade medical kit, 72 hour Bug-Out Bag, Retreat Security, Weapons/Ammo Mix.

Future Lessons will include: Types of Firearms,Security while bugging out, Security at your Retreat, Beginning requirements for establishing a farm, etc.

You can set up your group any way you want to. This was our way.

**Applejack** · 08-19-2012, 02:03 PM

Welcome from VA. Lots of interesting ideas to help get you going.
AJ

**bobwg** · 08-19-2012, 04:05 PM

Welcome from St Louis

**tazzdevil195** · 08-19-2012, 05:45 PM

Welcome form houston texas

**vinnie** · 08-19-2012, 07:03 PM

Welcome from southern Minnesota

**Morgan101** · 08-20-2012, 08:42 AM

Welcome from Missouri. Good to have you with us. With 75 acres, woods, and a small creek you are light years ahead of most of us. We would love to have your set-up. There is a ton of information here that will cover everything you are looking for. Go through the old posts, and use the search engine.

Look forward to sharing info. Welcome aboard.