Let's revisit a thread that went bad, Escape from Disaster..

[Michael Heintz]

I’d like to revisit a thread that went bad……Escape from Disaster…

Now, I realize that the previous thread went bad, but let’s stick to the issue of Escape and Survival.

The scenario is, a similar disaster such as 911 or worse. Those of us who live in close proximity to NYC have to consider this. I am about an hour north of NYC in Norwalk CT. The RT. 95 escape is just not an option. Macht Nichts CD 30 MK II sits only a half-mile away.

I want to put together a list of essential supplies to last us (my wife, 2 cats and 1 dog) to survive for at least a month, and after that….who knows??????

Food
Water
Fuel
Cooking Fuel
Fishing Gear
Survival Tools

The idea would to stock up on the essentials, store them away. In the event of an emergency be able to transport them to the boat and sail away.

Your thoughts……..

<img src=http://www.heintzwasson.com/clients/machtnichts.jpg>

[tartansailor]

The Bible, a water purifier, and a hand crank radio for starters, plus the obvious.

[Michael Heintz]

Two excellent suggestions !!!!

<img src=http://www.heintzwasson.com/clients/machtnichts.jpg>

[Neil Gordon]

You're looking at surviving about the equivalent of an Atlantic crossing. There are lots of books.

In case four weeks isn't enough, I suggest you study the suvival techniques of Poon Lim. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poon_Lim He survived 133 days on a raft.

[Oswego John]

Michael,

How about a well stocked first aid kit? Don't forget to obtain as many refills as possible for certain necessary Rx prescriptions.

If there are any special needs, ie: insulin, syringes, nitro glycerin, bronchial aides, etc., procure an abundant stock. At a time like this, shelf life hasn't the importance that it has under normal circumstances.

Keep very necessary medical necessities handy to bring on life raft if needed.

God forbid, you will ever have to avail yourself and family to their use.

Best regards,
O J

[Carter Brey]

In case four weeks isn't enough, I suggest you study the suvival techniques of Poon Lim. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poon_Lim He survived 133 days on a raft.

That would be a two-Bible trip, minimum.

Sorry for that excursion into frivolity. Seriously, how about non-electronic replacements for other items besides the radio? A taffrail log, a lead line, kerosene lamps. Alternatively, or in addition, a solar battery charger.

[bill2]

I'm not even sure there is an answer - I agree with OJ - better not to happen.

But

1> Old fashioned bomb shelter - you can't outrun the wind - assuming airborne pathogen(s) . Stock it for "awhile" and change the air filters occasionally.

2> Drive - put distance between you and the problem . East is out Boston, west is NYC so go north on back roads. Visit relatives in White Horse for a year or two. . . ( Great Slave Lake is good in July I hear )

3>Sail - slow way out of town but avoids people. After rounding Orient Point pick your poison and have provisions for an ocean crossing.

I can't even believe I posted but it is something different to think about.

[Mike Johnson]

Not to get too political, but with Iran postulating the Holocaust did not occur, and calling for the destruction, along with the PLO, of the Israel state, considering survival is certainly a worthy topic. Should Iran go nuclear (I know, they are still making their own, but the formal USSR "lost" near 15% of their weapons grade material across its borders when the bottom fell out), Israel will retaliate and so will we. We could easily be plunged into a survival situation. I have been giving this thought for quite some time since studying strategic planning for my masters ( my thesis was the de-nuking of the world in a post USSR world with emerging Third world nuclear nations). My thoughts are, if you are planning to go to see to escape such things, plan as if you are going to do a circumnavigation for a long time. I would stock up on canned foods, freeze dried foods along with the bonus of fishing gear as you mention. For water, I would consider some means of alternative purification. If you have a water maker on board, thats great. If you have camping type water purification systems, that is great too. I would use both. Eventually you are going to hit land and I would use the ultraviolet water purification method which kills everything in the water. Filter it first. Especially in other than US waters. I would have plastic tarps on board. If you are down wind of any Nuclear material, the plastic helps thermalize or slow down some of the harmful radiation. Survival gear should include your weapon(s) of choice. Chaos will reign. See the aftermath of Katrina for verification of that. Mind set in survival is critical, bring your game. SSB radio for comms would be essential. You will have to know where to go that would be safe. And you need to practice your plan. Like try and get to your boat and put to sea at the peak time of memorial day weekend. That will give you a glimpse of just how hard this concept could be to implement. This is an essential topic for the world environment.

[Neil Gordon]

Seriously, how about non-electronic replacements for other items besides the radio? A taffrail log, a lead line, kerosene lamps.

Not to mention non-electronic replacements for navigation gizmos. First on my list would be paper charts.

[fenixrises]

Hi all,

And don't forget the old standbys:

Sextant, accurate timepiece and appropriate texts for sight reduction.

Geiger counter and radiation sickness medication.

Keep an updated weather forcast printed out and updated frequently. Do this so you know wind patterns.

If EMF is a factor, radio and many electronics may be instantly unusable and for some time after.

Take care,
Fred

[Steve Laume]

I read Micheal's post a bit different and it would describe a much easier situation to deal with. Maybe this is just differentsituation that would be easier to plan for. Unlike a flu out break that would be widespread and of global proportions, also very hard to predict, what about dealing with a much more localized problem? Something as simple and as remote as a terrorist hit on Saudi oil production facilities could cut off a large percentage of our fuel supply. This could be enough to cripple a large city like NY. It could also be an isolated attack on the city itself. This would create a situation much like Katrina in that if you could just get away from the area you would be okay. When Katrina did hit, my thought was that I would have borrowed the first servicible boat I could find and sailed out of there. If NYC turned into an unlawful mess with no supplies available and the roads absolutely jambed up tight then an escape by sea would be a very realistic way out. So keep those fuel tanks topped off and maybe an extra jug or two. The same would go for water and food. My preference would be to forget the bible and make room for some beer. Charts for a rural landfall would be a good thing. You would have to consider one in opposite directions. I would think the hardest part of a situation like this would be getting to your boat and getting away unharrassed. Be prepared to repel boarders. Now what if this happens when your boat is on the hard? So keep that mooring in Marble Head and sail away from the mess if it should ever come to that. This would have to be a survival situation and if it were I would not expect to have much left to come home to, Steve.

[Marianna Max]

Not to mention non-electronic replacements for navigation gizmos. First on my list would be paper charts.

Make sure you don't have a goat on board.

[chase]

What size boat would I need to have a jersey cow? I'm not sure I could give up real milk. Guess I'd get over it.

Like Neil I'd want paper charts, sail mending kit and extra sails, a big jug of epoxy, and really all the stuff people take on long voyages as previously mentioned. Along with a bible, perhaps the Koran and an Arabic phrase book for those of you that don't have a good command of that language.

Salem Alicum,

Chase

[Neil Gordon]

What size boat would I need to have a jersey cow?

What size holding tank would you need to have a jersey cow?

[Oswego John]

Jersey cow?

Do I detect some possible prejudice in regard to a Nuh Yawk cow?

This as a prime example of how a thread can wander.

O J