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Comment by James Cole on October 27, 2012 at 13:28

Clint,

As always, very insightful.  As far as the straws are concerned, $20 spread over 3 years is $6 and change per year.  The only drawback, if you are going to rotate them out after they "expire", would be keeping track of the dropdead date.  I too think they would exceed the expire date.  I just visited the Eartheasy site (master wholesaler) and they state that the life of a Lifestraw is actually 5 years and the packaging will be changed on all new procuct to reflect that.

Jim

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 26, 2012 at 9:09

David...

What you carry and how much you carry depends on transportation, physical region (North Dakota or Southern Texas), and physical ability. Do you want to travel fast on foot or take your time exploring for food and resources? Have a written plan and go over the plan multiple times. Have a good friend/partner be the devil's advocate on the plan. Remember no one thinks of everything for every situation. You know you best so this where the plan starts. If you are afoot then thermal type clothing you can remove without dropping your pants.  Thermal coveralls, thermal cap, thermal gloves and lace up boots with wool socks. Keep the backpack and load, including weapons, to no more than fifty pounds. If you carry more than this you will eat more emergency food and drink more emergency water.

As far as the lifestraw having a expiration date here is what I think. Being law enforcement the ballistic vests we wear has a five year expiration. They are dated too. However, the material used does not deteriorate in five years. We have taken old ballistic which were twenty years old and shot them with firearms up to and including the .44 magnum. The vest stopped them all like they were designed to. The five year expiration, in my opinion, is so we buy more vests and the ballistic vest companies sell more product and don't hold a liability for more than five years. If I produced a product which lasted for fifteen or more years, I would want the consumers to not wait fifteen years to buy another. An example of this is Edison's home (last time I checked) has his original light bulbs, yet the bulbs we buy don't last near that long. David I hope this helps.

Comment by David Noe on October 25, 2012 at 23:08

Just found out some info on "LifeStraw" I took a link off another page and ask a few ?'s. Found out that they have a 3 year shelf life if stored at a cool room temp.Didn't get a reply about if they were stored in the fridge until you need them.Anyone know if that would extend there life any. They seem to be production dated which runs pretty close to shipment.

What does anyone carry for clothing in there togo bag? Do you keep coats and extra boots/shoes packed or handy or does it depend where you are or the time of year? Or just stuff so you can layer up and down for temps?

Comment by James Cole on October 25, 2012 at 9:42

@Steve,

My business partner visited her sister in Rolla just last month.  Her sister is the chancellor of Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.

If I'm ever in your neighborhood, I'll be sure to let you know and maybe we can visit and look at some knives.

Jom

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 20, 2012 at 19:47

LifeStraw at www.lifestraw.com

Here is what it looks like and how big it is. There are caps on each end with a string to keep from dropping where you can not retrieve them.

Comment by James Cole on October 20, 2012 at 10:48

Clint,

I was born in a community like that, West Branch Michigan.  The reasons I stay where I am is the business I own and my wife's parents.  They are getting up in age and my wife needs to be near them.  Other than that I would move to my house in Flagstaff.

Jim

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 17, 2012 at 11:00

LOL! You foot being nailed to the floor can be painful.  Later on in life maybe you can move to a small community where everyone are tight with each other and help one another in times of need.

Comment by James Cole on October 17, 2012 at 10:19

Clint,

I'm surrounded by 10 million people with as many cars and seven avenues of escape. I have had an 80 mile trip take 4 hours and that wasn't in a survival situation. I've tried hard to chart a way out and given the variables it looks as though I'll be staying still for quite a while.

You're right about doing battle, that's way a mentioned keeping a low profile.

The 10 million is a 2011 estimate, it could be more. Ya I know, “why the heck do you live there?” I would rather not, but my foot is nailed to the floor.

Jim

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 17, 2012 at 9:26

James....

Good points James. The S&W 645 is way too heavy of a handgun to pack up and down hill and dale. If you are "Forting Up" than storing food for emergencies is good. If you have to move out to a more secure area with friends and family than four or five days of food and three liters of water per person works.  Use the water filters if needed.  Me...I am moving out as by the 5th day of no food neighborhoods and cities are going to get ugly.  James you may end up defending your home by yourself which will only delay things.  Avoid a fight because if you get injured all of those who depend on you will be at the mercy of those who would do you harm.  Always be prepared.  As for this December there is no worries....not this time.

Comment by James Cole on October 17, 2012 at 8:54

Clint,

I know what you mean about steel guns.  If I knew I would be in a firefight I would want my S&W 645, but for EDC in states where my CCWs are legal I carry a Glock 32 or 27. 

When I was a kid I put a bit of meat on the table with a single shot .22LR.

Hog is looking for tips on prepping.  Tip one; no matter where you live water is the first thing to consider.  Store it and locate a source for more.  Next store the food you already eat and eat the food you store (rotate your store).  Canned food will last at least a year so stock up a little at a time and even if it is only an extra can each time you shop; slow and steady will work.  Keep your prepping a close held secret, even close friends can turn on you when they are starving.  If the SHTF keep a low profile.  People WILL want what you have.  Have some trade goods for when it smooths out again.  Planning is great, but doing is better.  Get started now.   And yes I do what I preach.

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