Interesting Conversation

[EX121]

I recently had a talk with 2 close friends about being ready for short term local disasters. Where I live that could be wildfires, winter storms, or one of the volcanos blowing.
To make a long story shorter, Friend 1 said thay have maybe a weeks food, a couple hundred dollars in small bills & water set aside. Friend 2 said they don't have anything as the "Media" would give them enough time to get ready, and He knew friends who would help out. Both have their hunting rifles & shotguns.
But the final thing Friend 2 said to Me was, "Wouldn't I feel funny about spending all the time & money preparing, and then have nothing happen?"
My reply was, "I would feel much worse to have something happen & not be prepared."
How many have had like conversations?:confused:

[Rmplstlskn]

At least Friend #2 didn't say, "Well, if it gets really bad, this rifle will get me what I need..."

After decades of living in South Florida, seeing EVERY YEAR the people form big, long lines wrapped around lumber stores in the hot weather, seeing the shelves of local markets stripped of batteries and water and then after a hurricane, seeing the people out trying to buy gasoline, generators, water, ice or food, I'd say most of America is Friend #2... or worse.

Rmpl

[eeyore]

It is worse when when they say well we will just come to your place you have a generator and propane lights and grill.

During the Winter blizzard this past year, we had (around) 14 trees come down across the driveway of the road that several families live down. Of the four families that live on this country road, one is an older man just had a knee replacement with in 3 months. 2 young couples, another single mother with two kids and my family. Anyway i had just coming off a broken shoulder still in rehab. After the second day one guy is out there with a bow saw (that he borrows from the older man) and has cut two of the pines down and cleared them fronm the road. I go out with a chainsaw, him, the old man and me (with the help of my older daughter) clear the rest of the trees.

As we get done, the young man (from the other couple) must have been watching through the window, because as we finished his dad comes down the drive way get his son (left the girl and kid).

That evening after the power has not come back on, the first guy comes over and asked why we have electric (he saw a light though my window). I told him that it was a propane lantern. He siad it was getting cold in his place, i told him to at least the start the gas stove (stove and oven on for a while) to heat the place then cut it off, to hang a blanket over the door way to try and heat a room or two and not the whole house.

People don't think anymore.

[crossbow]

I wonder if Friend 2 has fire insurance on his house and feels bad about paying it because the place never burns down, also liability insurance on the autos and never runs over anyone. Actually is sounds like they could sell their guns as they have nothing to protect.

Spending money on preps is nothing more than buying some insurance that your family will survive the hardest of times, depending on how good you're prepped. the good thing is that the family gets to use the insurance(preps).

when he gives money to the Ins Co for insurance, at the end of the yr, he don't even get a thank you from the Ins. Co., just a bill for the next yr.

[EX121]

I'll have to remeber the insurance argument. I do think that friend 2 is starting to re-think his position.

[rockriver]

good question and post.
i, like most on here, have had these discussions.
i've added something to it, if, i get the, "well, i guess we'll come over to your place" or,
"well, you know the bible says we must all share." or something similar.
my immediate reaction is
"following the Biblical example, what will you bring to trade with me?
go on and get some food, food will have good trade value. that's what i'll need."
i'll trade you my car and my savings for your food. without food, i won't need anything else
i have. by the way, will you just give me about a months' worth of food now? that will be a
good token that we're friends"
they sort of look at me funny... but they stop the
"i'm coming to your house talk..."

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

That evening after the power has not come back on, the first guy comes over and asked why we have electric (he saw a light though my window). I told him that it was a propane lantern.

This shows how important having blackout curtains, at least in one room, will be in a SHTF scenario. Watch the light signature you are giving out!

Thanks for the post.

[Longhunter]

"I'll just come over to your house"
"I'm a cop with a gun, I can just take what I need" (that conversation was scary and served as a real eye opener for me)
"I'll just go to the store right after something bad happens"

It's hard trying to get family and friends on board with preparedness sometimes. Preparedness seems so common sense to me, I get frustrated when the people I care about just don't seem to "get it". I guess I will just have to keep trying to help them.