Discussing with others

[Maddie_cat]

This thread is sparked off by the cartoon I just saw here:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3984

Whilst amusing, it does highlight the OpSec issues survivalists have.

I have read numerous survival books and a lot of them all talk about getting your neighbours and family involved so if you do have to Bug in, you have your own measure of security.

I get that and it is understandable. But the issue highlighted by this cartoon is that if you DO start telling your mates you have a hundredweight of rice and three cases of tuna stored in case TSHTF, who is to say that they laugh it off but suddenly remember that conversation when TSHTF. I have read too many articles by Katrina survivalists who suddenly found they were inundated by family and "friends" and suddenly found their well preserved stores dissipate.

At the moment, I only discuss it with my immediate family. I get the usual and but I am sticking with it.

So would be interested to hear how you guys deal with it?

[Arzosah]

I don't talk about it, to anyone, even family. My sister knows I'm writing a novel, and I've mentioned a couple of things to her, like using sanitary pads as wound dressings ... thats it. Op sec, thy name is Arzosah!

[Frufru]

I drop hints to friends but tell them that I have a small amount which will just about see us thru for a week and after that we would be stuffed, which is of course not true, but I am hoping it will get them thinking about at least storing a few bits.

Went to a friends house this week and spotted some solar showers, a solar panel and few other bits so I tentatively commented and my friend said "oh you wouldn't believe the half of it - we have sacks of rice in the loft and goodness knows whatelse" Turns out they are pretty well prepared. The best thing was the crossbow

I'm really pleased because I have lots that they don't and they have bits that I don't have so in a SHTF scenario we could trade

I don't really share info about my preps to anyone as they are for my children and me only i'm afraid. Selfish or not, that is the way it is.

[Maddie_cat]

My sister knows I'm writing a novel, and I've mentioned a couple of things to her, like using sanitary pads as wound dressings ... thats it.

Or use them to make slippers ......

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftst ... -Craft.htm

.......or maybe not!!!!!

[Arzosah]

How brilliant to find an existing friend who's genuinely prepping!

[junmist]

I just tell people that I am preparing for either being snowed in or a power cut depending on who Im talking to family and very good friends its the snow about sevendays food in the house friends its the power cut so about 3 days food in the house. Then if they also mention that they are preparing for the same thing then you can talk to them about prepping for the bigger picture

[jansman]

I say nothing.

[unsure]

my parents know i`m prepping , the rest of my family know i have a limited supply of food put back , the reason i have this if any one ask`s is simple ,,, how do you know you will have a job next week .

if you talk to any one and they scoff , just ask if they have car insurance or life insurance ,,, to me its just another form of insurance .

[Ferricks]

I do think that having a small network is a good thing in order to provide support if it's needed. I AM however, very careful in terms of who I talk to about such matters and inwhat context. My parents know that at the first sign of ANYTHING they grab what they can carry and head to my house (6 min walk).

My sisters' house is my primary bug out location - it's a rural, "safer" location than my own home, but bizarrely my sister and family would only manage for a week or so without support as they simply haven't put time or energy into managing preps. But talking to them about the risks and implications has taken us to a place where we are planning together how to create stores of necessities at their location as well as ours - so increasing everybody's chances in a crisis.

I have to say that for us it is important to work together and i think we will reap real benefits from being able to do so if and when.

[Arzosah]

My sister knows I'm writing a novel, and I've mentioned a couple of things to her, like using sanitary pads as wound dressings ... thats it.

Or use them to make slippers ......

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftst ... -Craft.htm

.......or maybe not!!!!!

I didn't see those till just now

Ferricks, you're absolutely right, I'm sure, about having a small network, and yours sounds like its going really well. I hope to have the same sort of arrangement with my sister in a few years time, but right now, its not on. If TSHTF, I'd be bugging in, but if I was burned out or something, I'd be heading to hers.