Showing my age here but back in the ’80s, I was a teenage survivalist. At 14, I was an avid reader of Survive Magazine and was laser-focused on preparing for the certain inevitable nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Well…..a lot of people thought it was inevitable.
Back in the 80’s I read numerous books, magazines, and eventually internet “bulletin boards” and forums. There were discussions surrounding survival kits, guns, ammunition, etc. like there is today, but, it seemed much simpler back then. What I mean is nowadays a discussion around a “bug out kit” involves extremely specific situations and circumstances with those commenting being critical of every little thing that could go wrong or that is different than what they perceive as an “SHTF”.
Yeah – I like simple and I like to take away that which I will from someone’s perspective rather than purposely being negative just to be negative in some social justification to tear someone else down.
Ok. I feel better now.
Back in the ’80s, the AR-7 Survival Rifle was one of THE best survival rifles. It was super-light, didn’t do anything perfectly, was very compact, and inexpensive. Today if you suggest anything other than a Ruger 10/22 take-down you are called a nutcase at best. Yeah – I still think the AR-7 is a great option for a survival rifle. Guess I’m old school.
“Remember the Ruger P85? I’m still wanting one.”
I’ve given up trying to put together a bug-out bag, INCH bag, GOOD bag, etc. – I just make survival kits. Period. These are general purposes kits that can provide solutions for a variety of situations. They do not excel in one particular situation or another. There are just far too many variables to accurately predict what might happen or what situation you could find yourself in.
I’ve got a 4×4 truck that I talk about in the membership area of this website. I’m not spending thousands and thousands of dollars putting together the ultimate in off-road vehicles with the absolute best of the best of accessories. Nope – I don’t have the funds for that. I’m a divorced working man and planning for the future who is trying to be as prepared as possible for what MIGHT happen. I’m a regular dude.
The S might not ever hit the fan. With these modern days, I certainly question whether a national apocalyptic event is even a possibility unless an EMP occurs, but the reality is everything might just be fine – or sorta fine from an SHTF perspective. If that happens commonsense preparedness just makes sense. Just fine. The evidence is certainly stacking up that “just fine” might really suck.
I miss the simplicity of survival in the 80’s.
Rourke
Tula .223 Rem Ammunition* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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Fantastic Car Pack and EDC Bag
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Smith & Wesson 10.6in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife with 5.2in Tanto Blade and TPE Handle – less than $40
This is almost exactly how I got into preparing for the apocalypse.
We even had nuclear fallout maps we studied I think we ordered them out of the back of Soldier of Fortune magazine.
I guess I’m in pretty good position we live on 55 acres of mostly wood lots of game and a creek on one side.
Have a good one and Thank you for this post brought back alot of good memories.
Yep. Times seem harder now than before in Prepping. Trying to stockpile the necessary equipment & options to thwart any type of attack on my home. You can seal Tannerite cans in a vacuum saver bag and tie it in a tree. Shoot it from a distance and it will wake someone up who doesn’t belong there. How many folks will perish in the first 30-90 days? Watching TV show Alone gives me an idea of the tuffness required just to make it a month. Skills & knowledge will help you survive. And a case of Bush’s Beans!
There’s also the fact that preppers back then were more commonly called “farmers”, “people who’d lived through the Depression and war years”, or even just “proud housewives”. Taking care of your family was just a way of life.
Many men with day jobs went home and plowed fields or walked the fence line. Wives and mothers would feel ashamed if their cupboards were empty and they couldn’t provide a filling meal for those 8 unexpected guests for dinner. Schools still taught us how to cook and sew. We carried pocket knives on the playground. Most households had guns, and a large majority had seen military service.
It was all just very normal, but today we’re considered freaks and troublemakers. I miss the good ol’ days.
Rourke and everyone- YES I love those bush beans-so delicious !!!
Yes in retrospect things look more simple. WE have exc. tools though now – freeze dried and dehydrated foods- incredibly durable outdoor gear- amazing amount of inf. on line- more exc. books but it still boils down to
being as prepared as possible for any event-man made or natural.
I really like the three is two and two is one and one may be none theory.
Simple is best I believe.
Our society has grown very soft and too far from the agricultural roots
we once had, Most people will panic and die in a short amount of time-many preppers will survive and some will thrive.
Lentils and peanut butter have a good amount of protein.
Arlene
I miss the 80s, great music and you knew who the good guys and bad guys were!!! Not so much anymore on either.
I think I have a p85.
I do have vehicles kits . Anything that requires leaving my house will not have me carrying a 100 lbs pack. I use a fame carrier and hook it to a bicycle or their it in the truck. I’ve had a 10-22 since 1960. My wife has the AR-7