Am I half preparing or preparing smart?

[jackburton]

I keep kicking around the same question in my head over and over and I wanted to see if some of y

[crossbow]

PAW--NBC ?????

[jackburton]

PAW--NBC ?????

NBC = Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
PAW = Post Apocalyptic World

Meaning if an NBC was the trigger for the PAW instead of hyperinflation, invasion or war. Personally I think it's hyperinflation but that's me.

[slingshot]

Hey Jack! IMHO you're doing just fine. First, as you well know, comes water & food & the other preps you mentioned. After you feel comfortable with that, then expand into the NBC scenarios. There wouldn't be any use in putting NBC first, then you wouldn't have anything to sustain yourself after the NBC problems. You're doing just fine. As far as "half preparing" goes, that's me. I've been prepping for 40 years and I'm still not satisfied. I don't think any serious prepper is ever "fully" prepared. That's an impossibility. You're doing a good job.

By the way, it was in D.C. that I became an embryonic prepper. A snow storm in the '60 while I was stationed at the Pentagon, and living in Arlington, got my attention. That storm shut us down for 3 days! I couldn't believe it! The U.S. Government, the Pentagon, everything shut down by snow! From that point in my life on, and reinforced by other natural disasters over the years, I slowly evolved into a serious prepper (I try, anyway.)

[Rmplstlskn]

Yes, if DC was a target for almost anything (dirty bomb to true nuke), you will most likely be dead or dying unless you have some kind of bunker. It sounds like you know this and are OK with it, as you have to do what you have to do at this time...

Masks and filters will do no good for you if you are unprotected... Just prolong the death.

As said above, focus on food, water and security... And hopefully a way OUT and a place to go to...

Good luck...

Rmpl

[Matt In Oklahoma]

whew you are a brave person being in DC.
You will never be able to prep for every contingency, so focus on priorities and/or generalities such as food/water shelter, protection etc. as Rmpl stated. Post NBC I may not wanna survive the aftermath IMO. GOOD from DC would be my priority.
Also who says a bus won't run you over and you wasted all your time, no gaurentees bubba just do the best ya can!

[Triple-sod]

I’d pretty much go along with what everyone else has said.
If you’re getting your long term food sorted your putting yourself in a very good position whatever happens.

[Triple-sod]

Post NBC I may not wanna survive the aftermath IMO.

That’s a very good point, if entire countries were affected by nuclear war the conditions would be horrendous, and probably stay that way for decades.

Mind you, I think it’s very unlikely something that big would happen.

[jackburton]

Thank you all for confirming I wasn't being completely foolish. As Slingshot pointed, once I get everything else taken care of then I can try to branch out into other stuff. By that point I truly hope I'm away from this city though. I really do appraicate y'alls thoughts since I was looking at gas masks last night trying to figure if I could trade a riffle or two for a few masks. This lets me know that I shouldn't get side tracked until I'm completely comfortable with everything else.

[Monel]

With all that said, residing where you do , it might be prudent to stock some Anti radiation tablets for yourself and family. DC seems like it would be a tempting target for a dirty bomb.

[protus]

This is what i did. YMMV and all that jazz.

once i kicked my preps up and out of what i call the "red dawn pahse" of prepping ( bug out bag,line 2 and gun aka gear and 2 weeks of food)
I always thought about NBC/CBRN threats.
What i did was concentrate my efforts ( money) into water and food. Then as funds permitted i purchased some items.
1st it was chemical filters for my already fitted work resiprator. Then it was new filters for my m17...then i purchased some newer m10's( from site sponsor JRH). From there i purched a few izzy m15's( again from JRH) and some surplus un used chem suits( from JRH).. I also reserached what my threats would be.
rad- need a hole and cover...bio,, lots of decon and in place preps..chem--kinda screwed no chem alarm.
After that is seeing which would be my biggest threat i prepped for that. I also looked for deals.
I came across a deal where a person had xl-small sized NIB 3m m40's complete with carry bags,lens covers,second skins etc, along with 14 filters. All for 100$
i sold or traded or paid it forward to friends who were in need the older stuff ,yet kept spares. I took that extra cash,effort and purchased other items that would help..disometers,diso rechargers, decon kits, extra gloves,n95 mask, rubbing alky, medical supplies, ki pills you name it.
It took maybe 3 years of slow and steady to get my NBC kit as it is.

There's no race to get the stuff.

I know i purchased some great stuff as a family gift from JRH here 3 years back.
I have family that lives and works in DC as well. I gave them a tote with 2 already put together ready to use m10's,with filters, some decon kits,gloves and british chem suits and some bottled water/can goods. While not top of the line NBC gear, it was basic good stuff that would help them at least get outta dodge.

while some will say buy once... i see it as if i have 50$ and the threat is that real to me,.id rather have 50$ worth of NBC gear than NO nbc gear when an event goes down!!

[Lowdown3]

Should people jump on the NBC preps right off the bat? Probably not, unless the circumstances dictate.

Should people ignore them all together? I think that would be extremely foolish.

First as always, start with EDUCATION. Read and learn everything you can from good sources about the threats. For example- their is no pills that stop radiation. KI protects ONE specific organ of the body against ONE specific (and thankfully short lived) isotope that honestly you probably will not have a problem with if you use your head.

Having a super duper wooper gas mask isn't going to do you any good if you've never learned how to clear and check seal on it. I've met folks at Prep Expos that would say "I bought an X gas mask from you last year here. How do I put the filter on?" What? I would show them and then say "PLEASE call me if you have problems with this at home. Practice with your gear."

The picture on the far right of the four pics in the banner at the top is my (then) 12 year old nephew. If a 12 year old can learn how to correctly use protective gear and masks, anyone here can.

"On the job training" isn't going to be an option with NBC threats....

[Urban Survivalist]

Anti radiation tablets and or Antropine injectors are a good start plus have duct tape and plastic on hand. If a NBC attack has happened and you are at home cover doors, windows air vents, to eliminate all outside air induction to your home. This is a temporary thing though because you have to get fresh air at some point and a NBC mask filter is only good for several hours before it should be replaced. Other factors what if you