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S.Pro.Ukr |
Advice
Oct 10 2010, 2:27 PM EDT
Hi everyone, I'm new here, but I've been reading the site for a while now without signing up.I'm starting this thread because I am hoping that someone might give me advice for survival post Z-day, as at the moment my chances of survival are at best low. I am thirteen, and live in Cleveland, OH. I don't have a BOB or BOL at this point, though I am currently working on putting together a BOB. My weapons loadout is minimal: -1 5" hunting knife, stainless steel -1 7" fully functional replica rondel dagger (stabbing dagger, very sharp) -1 30# fiberglass recurve bow w/Kevlar string -1 35# fiberglass recurve bow - Arrows -1 rapier, battle-ready, tested, unsharpened (will sharpen if need be, used currently for fencing) I am reasonably proficient with all of these, and have practiced with all but the knives in realistic conditions. I am currently working on getting MREs and such for my BOB (incomplete). I have no firearms, I can't drive (although I might be able to, in theory), and limited resources. Luckily, I do not live downtown. I live in a less densely populated suburban area, in an apartment building. In the apartment, there is usually enough food to last at least a month at normal rations for four people, more if rationed better. A lot of it is canned or dry, but there is enough fruit to prevent scurvy. However, some of this supply depends on heat or water to prepare, or refrigeration to stay fresh. I am 5'10" and weigh about 110-115 lbs. What would you say my chances of survival are, and do you have any ideas that might help me? Do you find this valuable? |
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EastCoaster9000 |
1. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 2:32 PM EDT
I appreciate some honesty from people these days. Your loadout seems fine for not having a firearm, good knives and if your proficient with a bow and have many arrows, you should be fine. As for living in an apartment, I'd say you are pretty good if you just stay where you are. Couple questions. Are you physically fit? And are you in the city or in the suburbs? Do you find this valuable? |
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S.Pro.Ukr |
2. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 2:38 PM EDT
I consider myself physically fit, but that is debatable. I work out at least 3-4 times a week, and I live in the suburbs.
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Maricely |
3. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 2:40 PM EDT
That fact that you're planning and preparing makes your chances of survival a bit better than most people. Keep putting that BOB together and adding to your canned food supply. Practice with your bow often.
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LJ126 |
4. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 2:53 PM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 10 2010, 2:54 PM EDT
"I am 5'10" and weigh about 110-115 lbs."First things first... you're REALLY skinny. Eat more (especially meat and milk) and lift weights like a fiend, focusing on total body strength (squat, deadlift and presses.) Start taking a good multivitamin. Trust me, if you put on 50 pounds of lean muscle, you'd probably be a better runner (in both speed and endurance) than you are already now. Genetically speaking, you're unlikely to get fat, especially given your dimensions - it will probably all turn to muscle if you do things right. Other than that, get a BOB put together pronto. ZSDW staff member "Ironhand" has written many great articles on the topic and is a wealth of knowledge on survival related topics. You don't have to spend big bucks either - a lot of things can be salvaged or scavenged for free. If you need some ideas, feel free to PM me as well - I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as Ironhand is but I know a fair amount and have a pretty good EDC/BOB setup. We might can help tailor something to fit your needs. BTW - Welcome to the site. How is your screen name pronounced? ~LJ Do you find this valuable? |
ItsMrManCub |
5. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:01 PM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 10 2010, 3:03 PM EDT
I think your on a good track right now. Reason being you are attempting to better your chances and you are proficient with your current setup. Once you finish the BOB you should start thinking about a BOL or even the idea of fortifying your current location.Keep in mind that surviving is not the same as waging war against the undead. Remember that and you should be good. Remember to pack water, and food, also some seeds. Let me do it like this, if I was you. I would finish my BOB packing all the basic necessities we have focused on here on the site. While doing this I would practice my camping and survival techniques, fire making, water procurement, etc... Once SHTF if I am force to Bug Out I'll just disappear into the wilderness. You got weapons for small game, traps for larger game can be built. Just make sure you got seeds! I would travel up or down river and get as far from humanity as possible, then keep going. Only after this point would I consider making a semi permanant camp. Stay mobile. Stay quiet. Your chances are steadily improving young grasshopper. *Final Tip* You might consider a stonger bow if you can handle it. I think 55-60 lbs would serve you really well if you can handle it. Do you find this valuable? |
Carnack |
6. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:13 PM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 10 2010, 3:23 PM EDT
"I am currently working on getting MREs and such for my BOB (incomplete).Welcome to the site first off. Secondly thanks for your honesty. If you don't aknowlege your BOB's shortcomings it's harder to help. Now contrary to popular belief MREs are not the be-all end-all of survival. They last a long time and have some variety but can be costly when compared to other options and should be set aside for the upgrade phase. Plenty of time for upgrading later. NOW matters so here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_p7mQAAYAE This whole series will help you in getting food together that is available in almost every gas station and supermarket on the cheap. That way you at least have food covered and can move on to the next part of your bag. In my mind a basic low-cost complete BOB is important rather than an incomplete kit full of expensive gear. Once you have the low-cost essentials you can rest a bit knowing you have a workable kit. Then you can upgrade at your leisure. Do you find this valuable? |
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S.Pro.Ukr |
7. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:17 PM EDT
"First things first... you're REALLY skinny. Eat more (especially meat and milk) and lift weights like a fiend, focusing on total body strength (squat, deadlift and presses.) Start taking a good multivitamin.I am currently working on this, but I don't do weights, mostly just squats, push-ups, sit-ups, running, etc. I don't know the word for it. It's just exercising using only your body, I guess. I eat A LOT, but don't put on weight (it's genes, I get it from my mom's side). Thanks for the welcome. My screen name is pronounced how it sounds. It stands for Sergy <my last name> Ukraine. (I'm an immigrant.) BTW what does EDC stand for? Do you find this valuable? |
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Carnack |
8. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:20 PM EDT
"BTW what does EDC stand for?"Every Day Carry. The tools you carry daily. Do you find this valuable? |
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Maricely |
9. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:24 PM EDT
Your EDC gear is probably the easiest to put together. Check out this page: http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/page/The+Gentleman%27s+Survival+Kit
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OutlawJames |
10. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:27 PM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 10 2010, 3:30 PM EDT
"First things first... you're REALLY skinny. Eat more (especially meat and milk) and lift weights like a fiend, focusing on total body strength (squat, deadlift and presses.) Start taking a good multivitamin. Trust me, , you'd probably be a better runner (in both speed and endurance) than you are already now. Genetically speaking, you're unlikely to get fat, especially given your dimensions - it will probably all turn to muscle if you do things right.Just an adendum to LJ's advice. When it comes to the physical training, add in endurance training ( commonly called circuit training). Especially with a load. I would work at long distance running, with varied paces. start slow to warm up, changing your pacing as you go, then as you are running your circuit, add in a sprint every now and again. Once you are comfortable, start carrying a pack, empty at first, then once a week add some weight to it, build the weight over a couple months, till you reach what yo feel is a comfortable amount for your BOB... All the strength in the world wont help you if you tireout in 30 seconds. This will allow you to cover more ground, plus sprint to avoid danger or escape. Iron hand has a mothly thread on low cost and scavanging stuff for a bBOB, look it up lots of good ideas . "$10 x 12 survival kit" Do you find this valuable? |
John_234 |
11. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:54 PM EDT
On the aspect of weapons, I'd drop the second bow and possibly the rapier unless you could find a way to conceal it. You don't want to give the image of a threat or lucrative victim by carrying too much weaponry, especially when your actual firepower is quite limited.
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LJ126 |
12. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:59 PM EDT
"All the strength in the world wont help you if you tireout in 30 seconds."Absolutely true OutlawJames- in fact, I completely neglected this one because I get so much conditioning through the week and on weekends that I don't even consider it part of my workout! Do you find this valuable? |
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S.Pro.Ukr |
13. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 3:59 PM EDT
Thank you everyone for the replies and advice, I already have a much better idea of what I need to do in the next year or two. I have another question, anyone with experience here, where could I get money, as I am somewhat low on funds, and I am too young to work (plus I'd need to get a visa). Any ideas? I know my parents wouldn't take to the idea of preparing for the end of the world...:( Do you find this valuable? |
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S.Pro.Ukr |
14. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 4:03 PM EDT
"On the aspect of weapons, I'd drop the second bow and possibly the rapier unless you could find a way to conceal it. You don't want to give the image of a threat or lucrative victim by carrying too much weaponry, especially when your actual firepower is quite limited."That, and possibly a few other weapons, would be the loadout for a family of four, including my five-year-old brother, unless my parents have some big, secret arsenal somewhere. I would have one bow, possibly the rapier, and one of the knives. My dad would have the other bow, the other knife, and anything else we could scavenge or that he has stored away. My mom would probably have a kitchen knife or something. Do you find this valuable? |
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Carnack |
15. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 4:05 PM EDT
"That, and possibly a few other weapons, would be the loadout for a family of four, including my five-year-old brother, unless my parents have some big, secret arsenal somewhere. I would have one bow, possibly the rapier, and one of the knives. My dad would have the other bow, the other knife, and anything else we could scavenge or that he has stored away. My mom would probably have a kitchen knife or something."Offhand I'd say chores for people and possibly your parents. Parents in my experience aren't cool with paying you for what (in their mind) you should do anyway but it can't hurt to cover your bases. Do you find this valuable? |
nate121 |
16. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 4:25 PM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 10 2010, 7:58 PM EDT
even if you were old enough to work there isn't much chance of a teenager getting a job unless you accept wages nearly on par with Chinese factory workers, I've been trying for several months to get a regular job and its not working, even the newspaper route jobs are being taken by adults these days...EDIT: i just noticed your from Cleveland! good to see another Ohioan on the site! Do you find this valuable? |
kinelta |
17. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 8:41 PM EDT
Welcome on board. I hope you enjoy your time here. I sure have. :)Your wanting to be prepared and knowing what your current limitations are is a big step in the right direction. From there you need a plan. What that plan is depends on what you have available to you now, what you can reasonably acquire, and your location. I'd recommend making a plan for what you have right this minute, because the z-poc might start tomorrow, you never know. :) Then determine what you would need to make your plan better, and start working towards that. It might cost some money, but if you have an allowance or get money as gifts you can use that towards your plan (food and a first aids kit are two things that come to mind). Take a peek at some user plans for some ideas. Remember that weapons are only an accessory to a BOB. They are a great thing to have, but they won't guarantee your survival either. Your BOB is basically something that you take with you to get from one point to another, and keeps you functioning in the interim. If you are interested, there is a 12-month "program" for building a survival kit: http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/page/$10+x+12+Survival+Kit I will be very interested to see what you come up with in regards to a plan. I think it is very important that teens make a plan for themselves so that they won't be caught helpless in a bad situation. It might require some creativity on your part, especially if your parents aren't too keen on the idea of a survivalist mentality. And remember that we are here to help you out with your plan if you have any more questions or need to generate ideas. Good luck! Do you find this valuable? |
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Maricely |
18. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 10:49 PM EDT
"Thank you everyone for the replies and advice, I already have a much better idea of what I need to do in the next year or two.You don't have to tell your parents that you want to prepare for "the end of the world". Tell them you want to prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes, riots, etc. Check out this new member guide, there's info in there about teen survival: http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/page/The+Ultimate+Newbie+Guide Do you find this valuable? |
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Carnack |
19. RE: Advice
Oct 10 2010, 10:53 PM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 10 2010, 11:06 PM EDT
I so wish I had good writing skills because How to Break the Ice on Survival Prep to Your Parents is an AWESOME topic! X(~Edit: A baseline is already on the Teenage Survival page so I'll add my additions to it and send it to a mod for checking since that page has spawned so many flakfests.~ ~Added content. Think it'll ruffle feathers? http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/page/Teenage+Survival.~ Do you find this valuable? |
