Family restrictions

[Steve268]

Hello Peppers,

Since an early age I've been interested in survival and anything outdoors, I have 10 years military service, and a bounty of add on skills. Whilst i fully acknowledge that i have more to learn (as everyone) i would consider myself as a having a 'fair' level of experience and preparedness.

So, here's the problem, my fiance has 2 children - one of which has haemophilia and mobility issues.
In any situation, travelling by foot is limited to maybe a mile at most
A vehicle is an option but not always the best.

as a result I'm now decided on having to bug in and ride out anything that happens.
I'm happy (ish) with sustainability but my real concern is security. I live in an end semi on a nice housing estate - when things change its going to turn into loot city.
I'm preparing as much as possible, but, without a group, I doubt I can secure enough to be completely safe.

I'm sure there are others in a similar situation, and I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and ideas on maintaining security

Steve

[Cromicon]

In my previous posts I've revealed that I'm in a similar situation to you and feel quite isolated. What I plan on doing is getting more involved with the local community. The first step I'm taking is to attend the Neighbourhood Watch meeting in January, things are falling by the wayside as no one really gets involved so I'll see what that's all about and help out if I can.

[Plymtom]

Same here guys, I'm a carer, 2 out of 5 disabled 1 more has it, cantankerous old fart with arthritis in early stages, love the outdoors but stuck in a city centre

[m89r]

Security is something thats keeping my mind busy now. I live in a block of flats in quite a built up area.

Im not to sure what road to go down, the block up the windows and doors and say to the outside world iv got stuff here i dont want you to have. Or keep very quiet and hunker down and make it look empty and hope no one comes knocking.

Both have there upsides and both have downsides.

Ideally id like to have more people on board in that situation, the problem iv got now is knowing whos in the area i can trust because if the wrong people find out the group of people out for "supplies" will know exactly where to call first

[Malthouse]

Getting to know people is great, but people change when the SHTF as I am sure the OP knows only too well.

I would recommend anonymity, the Grey Man approach has much going for it.

[m89r]

Yeah id agree with you on that, desperate people do desperate things to survive.

Id like to think though that there would be enough decent people about to help out someone in need. Saying that though if you look about now theres not much of that going on when everything is normal

[Partimehero]

Security is something thats keeping my mind busy now. I live in a block of flats in quite a built up area.

Im not to sure what road to go down, the block up the windows and doors and say to the outside world iv got stuff here i dont want you to have. Or keep very quiet and hunker down and make it look empty and hope no one comes knocking

m89r,

I'd prefer to bug in. I help care for my elderly, diabetic mum. My fiancé will be giving birth to our first child in June - factors that play an important part in decision making.

What floor do you live on? I live on first and second floor maisonette. There's a "granny" flat below us on ground level that's occupied. After prepping for 10 years, I'm stocked up pretty well and prefer the idea of staying put as I've amassed quite a lot of gear.

Being above ground level makes it harder for people to break in but harder for you to get out in a hurry. My biggest concern is the flat below going up in flames. If you're sharing a communal hallway / landing area, your front door should be fire proof anyway. I share a porch with the occupant of the flat below so getting out won't be too difficult.

Ultimately, my first choice will be to stay put but you need a contingency back up just in case. My sister lives 20 minutes away in a more open area. If there is warning of an impending situation then my mum, fiancé and baby will go there. I'll float between the 2 with as much gear as possible.

[m89r]

Ground unfortunately, right by the communal front door.

Yeah when i first started looking into this subject i had mad ideas of running to the woods and hiding, since i started iv researched the subject and realized thats going to end poorly.

I think it also very much depends on what happens and when, and like you say if theres warning or not. For me like most others though staying put is going to be best option until you know exactly whats going on and wheres safe

[Arzosah]

Ground unfortunately, right by the communal front door.

Yeah when i first started looking into this subject i had mad ideas of running to the woods and hiding, since i started iv researched the subject and realized thats going to end poorly.

I think it also very much depends on what happens and when, and like you say if theres warning or not. For me like most others though staying put is going to be best option until you know exactly whats going on and wheres safe

You're thinking it through according to your circumstances and the growth of your knowledge, thats the important thing.

As far as the original question goes - I think its a case of hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Make your own preps, and also try to join in local things that appeal to you - whether thats prepping related or not, actually - so that you do have local links, and you're a known quantity - but still keeping the Grey Man (or Woman ) approach - don't spread it about that you have preps, don't have odd stuff like 50 litres of water on display to guests, that sort of thing.

[Malthouse]

Yeah when i first started looking into this subject i had mad ideas of running to the woods and hiding...

Leaving your home should always be the last option, there are ways to disguise your place so that it attracts less attention than the ones next door.