What did you do today to prepare?

[MacWa77ace]

@Ghost Good to know there may be some apocalyptic value to these. I don't really know how many i have.

This isn't all of them i have.

[Ghost]

Yep.

These things are amazingly handy and compact. I'll share shortly in the fire starting forum later tonight what I've done with them.

Add to this the math worked out really well: 1.60 a tin as opposed to 3.49-99 per one at the store. 

I'll keep buying them for here out when I need a fresh pack but don't have to worry about emptying them all...

Also- secured two more hydration pouches for the BOBs; all four now have the same. Just waiting for the first water bladder to arrive (it's delayed) before I purchase three more; assuming I like the water bladder up thread that is.

[MacWa77ace]

My fire starter kit i keep in my EDC Bag



They hold compressed wipes pretty good too.

[majorhavoc]

I was going to say that a Bic Mini is a worthy addition to any firestarting kit but @MacWa77ace beat me to it with his picture. 

I can't compete with @Ghost , but I bet I've accumulated at least a dozen Altoid or Altoid-type tins. I have this fantasy of hosting an Altoids tin survival kit workshop, preferably at some local brewery.  For a nominal fee (around $10), I'd provide all the materials and have the participants assemble their own kits. Interspersed with discussion of and philosophy behind the particular items chosen for the limited available space in the tins. And frequent sips of beer, of course.  Plus, maybe recruit a few new UFOZS members in the process. 

[MacWa77ace]

I was going to say that a Bic Mini is a worthy addition to any firestarting kit but @MacWa77ace beat me to it with his picture. 

I can't compete with @Ghost , but I bet I've accumulated at least a dozen Altoid or Altoid-type tins. I have this fantasy of hosting an Altoids tin survival kit workshop, preferably at some local brewery.  For a nominal fee (around $10), I'd provide all the materials and have the participants assemble their own kits. Interspersed with discussion of and philosophy behind the particular items chosen for the limited available space in the tins. And frequent sips of beer, of course.  Plus, maybe recruit a few new UFOZS members in the process. 

that's a full size bic that fits in there. They make a mini altoids tin that a mini bic would fit into that plus some .

[NT2C]

Ran a major off-road trail in my Jeep.  It's prep-related because building good off-roading skills may come in handy when all roads are backed up or blocked in an emergency or disaster.  This builds my skills and tests the capabilities of my vehicle in a safe and controlled manner.

[Z.O.R.G.]

Spent a week camping "off grid" with no cell phone, electric or utilities.  We "cheated" with a camper, but that's part of our bugout plan.  Used solar power, gas generators, portable field communications (VHF/UHF) hiked, and practiced archery.  

[Ghost]

Got the last two sleeping pads I needed for the BOB sleep systems:

Klymet inflatable mats

KLYMIT Static V Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pad

I'm approaching this in stages as I'm going with commonality of gear with the family of four. Granted mine is a bit different, but same brand. Much like everyone a balance between weight and warmth.

These have the advantage of being very portable and I've used mine camping.

Next up is three more woobies than four bives (the ones from GB green berets vids).

Then three more water bladders; one I ordered has been delayed.

After that? Just need two more frames and I'll have swapped out my current frames.

Also in the process of freeze dried food selections for the BOBs.

[Halfapint]

Since the last update, we started the renovations and since we were having to do some drywall always. I decided to rip out the stuff around the doors and reinforce the door frames even more. They already had 3 studs there, but I added a couple more. Put bracing in and reinforced the corners with some steel. The lock holes I slightly oversized the hole and put a steel pipe in the frame so wood wouldn't be the only thing holding someone back. locked the door and kicked it as hard as I could a few times and nothing moves. And when you shut the door it used to kind if rattle the house (it's an over sized and steel core door) now it just sounds like a door shutting.

I'm trying to upgrade and reinforce everything, a few bucks here and there isn't going to cost me much. the brackets I used scrap steel I had to make the bracing.

I'm looking at making a reinforced gun room downstairs but that's going to be a bit more costly. The gun room will also double as a panic room if need be. That's going to cost me about 10k in materials minus the door price. It'll be hidden in the wall (it's already a hidden door. But it'll be double door. Open the hidden one and have a vault door behind it.
 

[Ghost]

Multiple things.

Canceled order for water bladder for the BOBs and ordered a different one (one I ordered still hadn't shipped.)

Picked up a sewing machine for free. Took a peak at two lower grade sleeping bags I had. Realized they would be perfect size for my wife and daughter. The issue was they weren't really rated that low. Opened up the seams at one spot and realized leaving in the synthetic stuff is actually a good thing as it's light. Next up is a bulk order of natural down to increase the temperature rating. This has the added benefit of the down being held in place by the synthetic stuff, and just sew the seams back up. This way I'm not creating bags from square one but modifying an existing one.

Lastly, last 1606-MC frame ordered. I've swapped out three stock ALICE frames in the BOBs, this is the last one. Last night I moved over the third pack with the paracord handle and added the frame, one more to go!

[EBuff75]

My "year of tools" continues (finally building up a better workshop) with some random purchases this week.  A couple of hammers, masonry chisels, gunsmithing punches / assorted tools, woodcarving tools, keyhole saw, windshield wiper arm puller, etc.  Nothing all that expensive, just a continuation of filling in gaps as I come across them.  I'll post more about the gunsmithing stuff when it arrives.

[Ghost]

Multiple things today.

1. Finally got my first HyrdaPak Force 2L bladder for my pack. Fits well in the side sustainment pouches I purchased a few weeks back. Now need three more. Ended up with these, fits perfect: https://hydrapak.com/products/force-2-liter?variant=31224142463066

As noted in my ALICE pack thread one of my goals is all four packs for the family are packed the same way, loaded with the same items, etc so that way I there is commonality across all four.

2. Last Filbre 1606-MC frame for the last pack. Transferred over the paracord handle and strapped everything to the new frame.

In general a LOT of organization of the basement and all of the items for SHTF. In general throwing a lot of stuff in general to free up space.

Next up four all four packs in the Aquaquest bivies for the sleep systems.

[Ghost]

What did I do to prepare today you ask?

I prepared by stocking up for the zombie hordes that will be at our door this very day.

Make sure your opsec is tight in your AOO, have someone covering your six and hunker down. Said hordes are slated to appear around dusk and will come in a variety of forms. Typically they use the cover of night to help mask their activities and may vary by locale.

Don't be fooled as the shout "trick or treat." It's just a ruse to get at your precious preps and take all you own. Do not let them breach your outer perimeter, best bet is to meet them outside with a clear field of vision.

The best strategyis to appease them with candy and send them on their way. Tactics will vary based on your SOP.

Good luck and stay safe from the zombie hordes.

[MacWa77ace]

We're stocking up on about 4-6lbs of Snickers, KitKats, Resees Cups, Twix, Tootsie Pops, and other high sugar content caffeinated 'turbo kid' treats.  This year we put off buying until the day of because in previous years it seemed to disappear and had to be restocked pretty quickly after acquisition. 

[Optimist]

Helped move a new wood stove into my grandma's to replace the barrel stove they had put in sixty years ago. The thing had served admirably but was so rusted and burned out that my brother was able to push his finger through it.

Managed to tweak my neck getting it into the basement though. Right before what's going to be a long day at work too.

[Ghost]

Ordered my first bivy for the BoBs. Should arrive on Sunday. Went with the Aquatech pharaoh I outlined above.

[Ghost]

Bivies arrived, quite nice.

I condensed my GHB into a smaller Teton day pack. Only issue is the space is just a tad too small even with ditching some stuff. Solution is to add a few pouches to the outside. Nothing too crazy about the size of a small Nikon binoculars case, which one of them is

The other is going to be used to house get home food: trail mix. I've found an ideal size for the most part, but the individual packaging is tad too big. Solution is I'm going to cut them down and then reseal with my vacuum sealer.

[MacWa77ace]

Bivies arrived, quite nice.

I condensed my GHB into a smaller Teton day pack. Only issue is the space is just a tad too small even with ditching some stuff. Solution is to add a few pouches to the outside. Nothing too crazy about the size of a small Nikon binoculars case, which one of them is

The other is going to be used to house get home food: trail mix. I've found an ideal size for the most part, but the individual packaging is tad too big. Solution is I'm going to cut them down and then reseal with my vacuum sealer.

When you get it done, post the weight here please. thanks.

[echo83]

Made a few additions to the GHB for winter, mainly adding more Esbit tabs, more water, a car candle, a fleece, a knit hat, and hot cocoa packets. 

The GHB also doubles as an "adventure bag," as my kids call it, for walks in the woods and geocaching, so I have to keep an eye on the hot cocoa levels...

Also bought a sillcock key and added a small solar charger/flashlight combo to the bag. Here are the current contents:

FOOD:
Mountain House beef strog X1
Mountain House Breakfast Skillet X1
Mountain House Spaghetti X1
Cliff bars X3
SOS Bars 
Hot cocoa X4

WATER:
Canteen/cup 32 oz
Nalgene 96 oz

SHELTER:
SOL Bivvy X2
Poncho liner
Fleece X1
Knit hat X1
Mechanix gloves X1

FIRE (in dry bag)
Esbit stove/screen
Esbit tabs X6
Sterno X2
Waterproof matches X4
Bic lighter X1

FIRST AID:
AMK Ultralight kit.9 X1
Israeli Bandage 4in X1
Israeli Bandage 6in X1

TOOLS:
Morakniv Companion X1
Gerber Diesel X1
Gorilla tape X1
USGI Compass X1
Headlamp X1
AA Batteries X6
Paracord 100' X1
Sillcock Key X1
Prybar X1
Solar charger/flashlight X1

[Ghost]

I was able to score four, one person tents. Normally $140, I got them for $52 each from Sportsmen's Warehouse. At that price and weighing a shade under 3 lbs? 

They are Eureka Solitares.