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What was your "ah ha" moment?

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  • What was your "ah ha" moment?

    We all know about the beans, bullets and bandaids, but what about things you had not stored, but you had a "ah ha" moment and added it to your supplies. Share yours and maybe all of us could benefit.

    I have had many over the years, but my recent one was I needed some chap stick the other day and it hit me. I didn't have any spares in my long term stuff, so I bought some extras. Could always use to barter as well. Will keep it in a controlled environment instead of a storage area that has excessive temps.
    Protecting the sheep from the wolves that want them, their family, their money and full control of our Country!

    Guns and gear are cool, but bandages stop the bleeding!

    ATTENTION: No trees or animals were harmed in any way in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were really ticked off!

    NO 10-289!

  • #2
    I've found no matter how you store chapstick (outside of vac sealing it which I haven't tried) it eventually goes bad. I used to keep some around as a "just in case" like you are doing...in a controlled environment, dark area, etc, but found after about a year or two it went bad. MIght have been longer, but it was at least a year.

    Just my experience
    Last edited by Grand58742; 07-20-2010, 03:38 PM.
    Experience is a cruel teacher, gives the exam first and then the lesson.

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    • #3
      "I have cat oil. It's good for the lips." ;)
      Boris- "He's famous, has picture on three dollar bill!"

      Rocky- "Wow! I've never even seen a three dollar bill!"

      Boris- "Is it my fault you're poor?"

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      • #4
        One of my "Ah Ha!" moments, at least one that made me realize how unprepared I was came to me last year.

        Motorcycle accident + embankment + open arm fracture + lower leg closed fracture + busted ribs + shock = mess not easily dealt with a standard European Union car first aid kit. The band-aid might have covered the road rash on his pinky finger and the 4x4 gauze might have helped wipe the sweat from his brow...other than that, almost entirely useless. Lucky for him, another guy I work with happened to be on that same road and had a CLS bag handy and we had a decent supply of the items we really needed prior to medical professionals arriving. And seeing this, I knew I was unprepared.

        So I spent a buck or two and got a real first aid kit together for the vehicle. Pretty much raided the partial CLS bag I had along with ordering another commercial bag and also putting in some other stuff that typically doesn't come with the kits. It now serves as a "boo boo" kit all the way up through major trauma. No sutures, but I'm not planning on stitching up someone on the side of the road. But who knows...

        I had some safety in knowing I had a first aid kit in the car until I actually had to use it. And seeing the lack of supplies inside made me realize the following items:

        nothing can ever be taken for granted
        always check your equipment even if it means breaking a seal
        have the proper tools for the job
        be prepared for the worst case
        practice with your tools
        Last edited by Grand58742; 07-20-2010, 03:58 PM.
        Experience is a cruel teacher, gives the exam first and then the lesson.

        Comment


        • #5
          Great post Grand!

          A few years back I was with my Mother and my Niece coming back from shopping. It was lightly raining and some kid whizzed by us about 80 on a country road. I dropped back a little bit and said "that idiot is gonna crash." Not 1 mile up the road he went to pass someone else, hesitated and his truck started swerving. He hit a concrete embankment next to a creek and the truck LAUNCHED into the air in a flip. Came down and we saw a huge splash of water. "Oh expletive" said I, handed my phone to my Mom said "call 911" as I jumped out of the car and ran down the embankment. The truck was on it's top, half in half out of the creek. As I'm scrambling down the embankment my first thought was "how stupid is this? This car could catch fire.." but I kept going. Praise the Lord the kid started climbing out of the truck before I got to him. I helped him up the embankment and away from the car.

          My Mom's car had no first aid kit. Luckily the kid just had some bleeding on his knees. I sat him down, did a quick primary and secondary survey. He was o.k. just freaked out.

          Not knowing the kid from Adam and not having any first aid kit (traveling in someone else's car) their wasn't much I could do for him. A truck drove by slow and I asked him if they had any towels, etc. The guy gave us a half roll of shop towels and we used that till EMS arrived- about 30 minutes later.

          The kids car stereo played the whole time while upside down in the creek- it was kinda funny. When his Mom arrived he downplayed his stupid driving.... My Mom was in the background going "he was driving like an idiot!" We headed out after that.. LMAO

          I've had many of "oh crap" I'm lacking this or that moments, that was just one of them.
          Boris- "He's famous, has picture on three dollar bill!"

          Rocky- "Wow! I've never even seen a three dollar bill!"

          Boris- "Is it my fault you're poor?"

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          • #6
            condoms....seriuosly...and socks. I went on a sock spree about 2 yrs back and underware, ive got enough "bulk" packs to fill a tote....and i wont throw out shoes. I musta had 12 spare pairs at one time.
            Hey Petunia...you dropped your man pad!

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            • #7
              I'm with ya Protus on the shoes. I have a few "left overs" that are still usable and some of the kids old shoes. Kid shoes are barely used before they out grow them.
              Protecting the sheep from the wolves that want them, their family, their money and full control of our Country!

              Guns and gear are cool, but bandages stop the bleeding!

              ATTENTION: No trees or animals were harmed in any way in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were really ticked off!

              NO 10-289!

              Comment


              • #8
                I'm glad that my Ah Ha moment came before TSHTF. I had stored some gas with Sta-bil and decided to put it into my automobile gas tank in order to store fresh gas. It was then I discovered that the gas containers I purchased did not have a long enough spout to fit into my car!

                I had to purchase an extension. Imagine discovering that when the world was coming apart!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Sheepdog & Grand, unlike Chapstick (yes, I've had that go bad too), I've used Bonne Bell brand Lipsmackers for a gazillion years on a daily basis and they never seem to go bad. They come in crazy flavors and different versions (some w/color and frosting--not very masculine), but they work well in protecting your lips. They shouldn't be stored in high heat conditions b/c they'll melt (like the car in summer), but seem to last indefinitely in my home & purse. My favorite flavor is strawberry which doesn't add color or frost effects to your lips. I've also tried imitation products and have never been satisfied. They're found in the cosmetics aisle or purchase them online: http://www.colorandflavorshop.com/ho...ction=0&page=1

                  I recommend staying away from most of their "partner" flavors (sodas, kool aid, starburst, m & m's, etc) and just going for the basic fruit flavors b/c I've found the composition/quality differs. Btw, my sons do use them in the winter and prefer them over chapstick. They just do it very discreetly--OPSEC practice--oh, yeah!

                  I've never tried it and can't vouch for it's longevity, but I just found this. It might be the perfect guy solution: http://www.colorandflavorshop.com/pr...&cat=48&page=2
                  Last edited by RainyDayChick; 07-23-2010, 09:59 AM.

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