Barter items for the Apocalypse...

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Bartering would be useful once order is restored. But until then I think the strong will take from the weak. Once the weak are dispatched and the strong have survived, then order will be a useful concept.

Think of the tens of millions who won't survive without their required meds and medical services. Gone in days. No heat or air conditioning will wipe out many millions depending on weather conditions at the time. There will be all sorts of goodies left behind for the taking.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Bartering would be useful once order is restored. But until then I think the strong will take from the weak. Once the weak are dispatched and the strong have survived, then order will be a useful concept.

Think of the tens of millions who won't survive without their required meds and medical services. Gone in days.

I'm going to advance the theory here that a significant portion of those people are over-medicated and will do just fine after a short period of adjustment. Lots of medical conditions are easily controlled by diet and exercise, and when Twinkies and electric carts are no more . . .

 

[susieqz]

thanks for the info, muss.
i take it it does more than open cans?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I'm going to advance the theory here that a significant portion of those people are over-medicated and will do just fine after a short period of adjustment. Lots of medical conditions are easily controlled by diet and exercise, and when Twinkies and electric carts are no more . . .

A few, but most all will die quickly. Average life expectancy in the US was 47 in 1900. That life expectancy will return with a vengeance absent the availability of modern medicine, sanitation, hygiene as well and no heat and air. Tens of millions of the sick, weak, and elderly will perish within days/weeks.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Clean water..................... we have a 100+ ft well at the cabin with a hand pump.....................

Another big issue with bugging out..... finding a steady reliable source of clean water.

How many have anyway to filter water....how many won't even think about the 50 gals in their water heater......................


I like the larger P-51 opener!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

How many have anyway to filter water....

(Raises hand)... I do.. I do..

Have a couple Sawyer filters and Platypus carbon units. Got a bunch of water purification pills too but I bet they are expired. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

There are no circumstances that I would willingly trade guns or ammo for. If things are REALLY bad and you don't already have them, expect me to take your stuff.

 

[M E Morrison]

There are no circumstances that I would willingly trade guns or ammo for. If things are REALLY bad and you don't already have them, expect me to take your stuff.

Or get killed trying. What kind of attitude is that - robbing from people?

 

[mrrick]

I was in Iran in 1978-1979 for the revolution. Things dried up fast. Here's what I personally found useful to have:

Water, had a well on the property and a vegetable garden. Also kept a couple of sheep and goats for occasional fresh meat.
We shared this with our Iranian neighbors and they would do the same when they slaughtered an animal. No electricity, so no storage for fresh meat.
Tobacco products
Vodka (most common alcohol available)
opium, which was the commonly used drug in social situations. Semi legal as muslim are not supposed to drink alcohol, ignored by many modern Iranians
coffee, tea, sugar
chocolate
fuel for home heating and vehicles
dried beans, pulses, and rice
flour
cooking oil
canned meat and fish
laundry and hand soap
Just a few I can think of off hand.

NO toilet paper. Most of the world doesn't use toilet paper, either because of religious reasons or it's too expensive for the average third worlder, who can barely afford to feed themselves. Left hand and soap and water or like in Europe and other advanced societies, a bidet. I know, I know, hard to fathom.
I was once traveling across Afghanistan where there was no water, I was advised to: "use stone". That's the cruel reality.

During the revolution, there was no looting or stealing. The Iranians in my area, (Esfahan), cooperated and shared whatever they had. Different culture, different conduct. Maybe it's because it's an ancient culture that has endured a lot of adversity (earthquakes, famine, Genghis Khan etc.) over the millennium and realize that survival depends on cooperation.

 

[BAM-BAM]

(Raises hand)... I do.. I do..

Have a couple Sawyer filters and Platypus carbon units. Got a bunch of water purification pills too but I bet they are expired. Thanks for reminding me.

LOL......................me too................


Check out powdered "Pool Shock"........5 lbs for $10-15 IIRC...... make your own small batches of fresh chlorine bleach.

 

[inspcalahan]

A bit light in this one area for me I think.....

Here is the list of supplies taken for 1 person for 1year in the Alaskan bush. This is not a suggestion, this is the gentlemen's actual items used for one year in the bush.

A More Complete Supply List
After my experiences the first two winters, I composed the following list. This is for one man for five to six months. It was refined for my personal taste and needs in the Alaska bush. The old trapper that I got my first list from made do with a lot less than what I took. This list is tried and true and not a just theory that someone made up. I had around 200 traps and ran the line on snowshoes, foot and skis. Cut my firewood by hand (no chain saw) and hauled my water from the lake in buckets. It was hard work 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week and I burned a lot of calories. Using the following list I ate well and always had plenty of supplies left in the spring:

12 rolls Toilet paper

 

[les.b]

thanks for the info, muss.
i take it it does more than open cans?

Susie:

Here's a link with a good story about the history of the P-38:

https://www.army.mil/article/25736/the-best-army-invention-ever/

I still have one or two of the ones that I got while I was in the service back in the 60s. I have picked up a number of "real" ones back in the early 80s, to give to my boys, so that they would never be without one. Of course there are much more efficient ways to open cans, but this thing is so small that you can have one on every key chain, and in the glove box, and every where else, in case of emergencies. There are still some of the originals around, and try to find an original, as the repos are really flimsy, and on something only 1 1/2" long, that is a fatal flaw.

Best Regards, Les

 

[amazingflapjack]

I am prepared, my name is in His book, so I won't be here then.

 

[susieqz]

thanks for the article , les i'm looking for one now.
a small multipurpose tool is what i need.
i got lots of tools but most are a pain to carry.

oh, amazon has them.
i'm hoping it works as a can opener. i buy imported tomatoes from italy. the metal of the cans is different n regular openers don't work well.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[Muss Muggins]

thanks for the article , les i'm looking for one now.
a small multipurpose tool is what i need.
i got lots of tools but most are a pain to carry.

oh, amazon has them.
i'm hoping it works as a can opener. i buy imported tomatoes from italy. the metal of the cans is different n regular openers don't work well.

It just takes a little practice . . .

 

[pharmer]

I'm moving to Florida so my shelter needs don't factor in "heat." Wait, what? Joe

 

[PALADIN85020]

While I have used the P-38 can opener from time to time (I have several), I find the G.I. pocket knife is able to solve more problems than just opening cans. I've been carrying one in my pocket since my Army days. It's particularly indispensable if you drink bottled Heineken beer...

1911 owners have another method, which will do in a pinch:

They say that liquor doesn't solve many problems, but then again, neither does milk!

John

 

[emdfan]

I've learned from experience that long term field deployments warrant fingernail/toenail clippers. I never lent mine out. You can imagine why. Most guys have nasty feet, even some women. I've seen toenails of both sexes while waiting in line at Walmart that would need a belt sander and Dremel tool to make right.

Being unable to care for your feet in a protracted "no medical help" situation is crucial. A simple infection in a post-apocalyptic situation with no meds can be the end.

Buy several and keep them on hand. Mine are on the same keyrings as my P-38s.

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

Here in Hawaii, 2 staples are Spam & rice.

The longest I have kept a can of Span that was safe to eat was 9 years.

Late production Spam lasts a few years after printed date on can.

In a hurricane emergency, the Wife has seen people load up on frozen dinners.........

I'm thinking they have generators like I do.