National Geographic: Doomsday Preppers!

[1Admin]

Yeah the conventional wood house was a big negative.

I highly doubt the camper top "OP" was really an OP... Think about it. Seriously, these guys went to the trouble to build a darn wood gassifier- THAT WORKS unlike 99% of the folks on the net that will talk about it, they are going to use a camper top with a camo net thrown over it for an OP? Highly unlikely. That was clearly a thrown together deal for NG.

Yes, the stupid little noise makers were/are a joke when it comes to "perimeter alarms." Here again, would you show NG the layout of your seismic sets? Locations of cameras? PIR? I wouldn't. Heck their are like minded friends that I've known for a decade that have been to my place dozens of time that haven't seen or been told of more than about 1/3 of our defensive preps. You always leave a few things obvious for people to "figure out"- sometimes those are false trails :)

I don't want to say too much, those folks did a decent job of downplaying the right things IMO.

[Hawkeye]

I dont like to bash anyones set up, but there was a ton of "new and shiney" , in all the segments. That either leads me to think that 1- they are new to it all..2- dont use their kit/set up 3- placed it there for camera purposes 4- tossed money at the problem......

I see this get said, by a number of folks, some of whom arent even in the survival/preparedness arena. Just using your post as a point of opportunity to play devils advocate.... maybe they have stuff that they use, and then backups that they dont, and when showing pics/video, use the stuff that they dont use, in order to give better detail and such in the picture. I know personally, I have stuff that I use for training, plus redundant backups. That way, if things do go bad and I really need it, I'm not stuck having to use gear/equipment thats already half worn out. If I'm taking pictures and such, I'll use backup stuff lots of the time, just for clarity and such. I also know some folks who do indeed use their gear, but also tend to clean it and try to take very good care of it. Just food for thought.

Juts a side note.....I'll also admit, that I sometimes do it (use pics of new/clean gear), just to hear the omniscient tards in some places, bloviate on about all the "new shiny unused gear" and how I/folks like me are just couch bound hobbiest and like playing with gear in our mothers basement and showing it off to look cool. It makes me smile because I know the truth about my gear, its use, my trianing, etc., and I also know that 90% of the bloviating blowhards, not only wont stand a chance themselves if things ever com crashing down, but, they say the things they do, for the exact same reasons that they are criticising others about......to look big, bad, and cool on the internet.

[Hawkeye]

Just in regards to SP1's LP/OP..... here is the video that he did about it earlier this year. http://www.youtube.com/user/southern...41/2nUrSHR97dM It gives a bit more info on its use.

Also, from a military point of view, and having manned a few LP/OP's, his has far more cover and concealment than the ones I manned. An LP/OP is normally, NOT, a fighting position. It is simply to observe and report. You dont want to engage in any fighting from it, unless absolutely neccessary. Thus it normally isnt as "protected" as a true fighting position would be. His however, if you look at the construction, does indeed provide some ballistic protection.

[protus]

Yeah the conventional wood house was a big negative.

I highly doubt the camper top "OP" was really an OP... Think about it. Seriously, these guys went to the trouble to build a darn wood gassifier- THAT WORKS unlike 99% of the folks on the net that will talk about it, they are going to use a camper top with a camo net thrown over it for an OP? Highly unlikely. That was clearly a thrown together deal for NG.

Yes, the stupid little noise makers were/are a joke when it comes to "perimeter alarms." Here again, would you show NG the layout of your seismic sets? Locations of cameras? PIR? I wouldn't. Heck their are like minded friends that I've known for a decade that have been to my place dozens of time that haven't seen or been told of more than about 1/3 of our defensive preps. You always leave a few things obvious for people to "figure out"- sometimes those are false trails :)

I don't want to say too much, those folks did a decent job of downplaying the right things IMO.

ohh come on we all know they even gave them a map...LOL


Heck,look at how well the "from idaho" joke worked when PAW 1st started....i still get emails to this day asking where in idaho are we located as to network LOL



smoke and mirrors........

[Patriot Prepper]

I am kind of at a loss. It seems that everyone is speculating as to the validity and truth of what was shown on TV - and defending the SC guys. Does someone know something that I don't? Because I have seen most of their videos and even the recent series done on security, leaves a lot to be desired.

If the preppers in the series want to be the poster boys for prepping, don't they need to be up front with everyone?

I don't believe that defending everything they did with an excuse does the prepping community any good. It is not a matter of whether you like the people involved - it is a matter of educating and helping others who are attempting to prep.

I would not want to be responsible for a prepper following what I saw on the Nat Geo piece. I believe we need to point out those weaknesses for the good of all - not speculate and try to make excuses for what were obvious prepping and tactical errors. Most of the errors they made are undeniable.

[1Admin]

PP- I don't think anyone is "defending" them or making excuses for them.

I guess I put security way ahead of other things and figure that if they show some hokey deal with a truck camper top, it's obviously smoke and mirrors and not ONE of their real fighting positions.

I think most of these "weaknesses" have already been discussed, if you care to put up more specifics, feel free.

However let's be real here, you've been doing this a long time and I have been also. How many other people do you know that have made it that far? I've met literally tens of thousands of like minded folks around the country with my business. I've personally interacted (i.e, trained, trained with, consulted at their retreats, etc) a couple hundred.

The bottom line is a VERY VERY VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE of people make it that far. Well under 2% would be my guess from my experiences.

Read the post about the heavy set ladies segment on other forums, a lot of folks are acting like she is very prepared.... That should give you an idea of where most people are in this.

Not that we want to get into comparisons but we should be realistic. Few ever get to the point of owning land in a DECENT location (i.e, not the "suburbs of phoenix") and developing a retreat.

Know what I mean?

[Patriot Prepper]

Just in regards to SP1's LP/OP..... here is the video that he did about it earlier this year. http://www.youtube.com/user/southern...41/2nUrSHR97dM It gives a bit more info on its use.

Also, from a military point of view, and having manned a few LP/OP's, his has far more cover and concealment than the ones I manned. An LP/OP is normally, NOT, a fighting position. It is simply to observe and report. You wont not engage in any fighting from it, unless absolutely neccessary. This it normally isnt a "protected" as a true fighting position would be. His however, if you look at the construction, does indeed provide some ballistic protection.

That is true from a military perspective. Our military guys said that an LP/OP is often constructed quickly and not intended to be a permanent structure. On a retreat, you have time to do it right and it is more permanent in nature. The LP/OP should be able to provide concealment as well as cover from small arms.

I am not trying to be negative, and did not start this thread. However, from what I see and know, I cannot pretend that the SC is model for preppers - the retreat has fatal flaws. The flaws were probably a result of inexperience. But they are real and could have been avoided (relatively easily).

[Patriot Prepper]

PP- I don't think anyone is "defending" them or making excuses for them.

I guess I put security way ahead of other things and figure that if they show some hokey deal with a truck camper top, it's obviously smoke and mirrors and not ONE of their real fighting positions.

I think most of these "weaknesses" have already been discussed, if you care to put up more specifics, feel free.

However let's be real here, you've been doing this a long time and I have been also. How many other people do you know that have made it that far? I've met literally tens of thousands of like minded folks around the country with my business. I've personally interacted (i.e, trained, trained with, consulted at their retreats, etc) a couple hundred.

The bottom line is a VERY VERY VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE of people make it that far. Well under 2% would be my guess from my experiences.

Read the post about the heavy set ladies segment on other forums, a lot of folks are acting like she is very prepared.... That should give you an idea of where most people are in this.

Not that we want to get into comparisons but we should be realistic. Few ever get to the point of owning land in a DECENT location (i.e, not the "suburbs of phoenix") and developing a retreat.

Know what I mean?

I agree with what you say. Absolutely right. Very very few people get that far. And that is most unfortunate.

I am an optimist and would hope that more people would get it "right" so that we would have a greater chance of recovery from what we face. But the reality is most people are not as committed and also lack the means to do so.

We do what we can do. It is ultimately in hands greater than ours.

[protus]

Read the post about the heavy set ladies segment on other forums, a lot of folks are acting like she is very prepared.... That should give you an idea of where most people are in this

yeah and her kid in the NG segment " im not eating that..."..." ohh dear....(chuckle)...when your hungry you will..heheheheh..."

look at any time there is a picture of someones shelves and buckets......read the replys...

" wow you've got alot"



deep down i wonder, if those types are debt free or just throwing money at a problem.....like a safty net...

[protus]

hmmmm

[qrprat77]

Is the show going to air again? Am I stuck trying to watch it on frikkin' youTube?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Is the show going to air again? Am I stuck trying to watch it on frikkin' youTube?

I looked 2weeks out and dont see it

[qrprat77]

YouTube it is I guess, Thanks Matt!

[Rmplstlskn]

The problem with anything it seems, is that no one is happy with the results... And so many babies get thrown out with the bath water...

Imagine if Christians demanded from new converts total and 100% proper doctrine and lifestyle as soon as they said," I accept you as my Savior..." How crazy would that be? Even the Jerusalem Council with Peter, James and Paul, deemed it right to only require a few "MUST KEEP" doctrines from new Believers, "...as Moses is taught is every city." So over time they would get a clue and get better at who they now are...

So too I think we need to keep this NG show in perspective... It was an INTRO that would be seen by the CLUELESS... And as an INTRO, I think they did a very FAIR version of it. Different preparedness scenarios were explored, different levels of "Preppers" were shown, basics were stressed (beans & bullets, but band-aids left out), and firearm training was shown in a good, fair light. No one was EDITED to look like a wack job, unlike other shows on "survival culture."

I nit-picked every single one, just as some would nit-pick my set-up and methods. Some would just DIE later than most, others may actually survive and ADAPT to whatever scenario arises... Who knows, too many variables. But every single one of them I was proud of, just as I am proud of every single new Believer who accepts but still has a lot of baggage to get rid of. They at least ACCEPT the reality of survival and preparedness, which is a big hurdle in and of itself.

I personally applaud NG for doing this show and I hope they do more... The more on OUR side the better, even if they are just bullet stops for the mutant, zombie bikers on the way to our place... Maybe they will pick off a few so I have to deal with less...

Rmpl

[1Admin]

Good take on it Rmpl