For instance, I believe it will be the economy and that it's just a matter of time... but regardless, it's always good to be prepared for another ice storm too or flooding around the Richelieu/Lake Champlain.
I also believe that war, environmental factors/natrual disasters and disease could cause a SHTF scenario. I feel that the way things are so fraglie in the world right now that they could easily cause a domino effect regardless of which causes the first domino to fall... An economic collapse could easily lead to war, which could lead to famine and disease and of course environmental devastation... The order isn't really important... Hopefully we don't get to such a dire point though... Luck favors the prepared though right?
I have about 2 months of long term FD food that will travel well and probably last as long as I will for unexpected short term events but I don't put much effort in that.
Aside from that my main focus has always been on long term food production to sustain for the long term.
Like you I think the economy is a sure thing. Even if not to the degree some feel, inflation is a given. We can do without so many of our modern gizmos but go a few days without food and you'll soon see what's important.
My father lived through the depression and said "you have no idea what hungry people are capable of". I never got any real details but whether he did it or just saw it done he was sincere.
The economy is up there for me. So are solar flares that take down the electrical grid. Largely though, I'm going on the inescapable conclusion that SOMETHING will happen.
I'm generally not interested in convincing anyone that civilization will end. It's just not a positive conversation. But if I were, I'd point out that every civilization before now HAS ended. Everybody knows the Roman example, but more contemporary tales include the Soviet Union. The British used to own half the world. Now they don't. Hitler was afraid of the mighty French at one point. Now France is the butt of a hundred stupid jokes about surrendering.
Though they aren't likely to admit it, the time of the Americans is passing. All the qualities that made them great are now being embraced by China.
And it's hard to find a country more complacent than Canada. Militarily we aren't capable of defending ourselves. Haven't been for decades. We're on the verge of legalizing a narcotic that pretty much embodies laziness. And we've managed to make self-defense practically illegal.
Yeah...human nature to screw things up eventually...
there so many scenario possible and has captain said the end of civilization will occur sooner or later
personaly my worst fear are chemical and bacteriological weapon , human are playing aprentice sorcerer modifying dna and creating new virus or geneticaly modifying our food
some day we will lost control ... having control over this its just an illusion
in army i was specialist of NBC nuclear bacteriological and chemical weapon and i can tell you nuclear weapon are out of date , the actualy bomb is the neutron bomb wich is a bit more powerful but has no fallout
and its much interesting for invading army to use these type of weapon "chemical , bactery , virus " that dosnt destroy road bridge and industries
smallpox virus was a major cause of death in the 20th century, killing about 300 million people. It has probably killed more humans than any other virus...
epidemics caused by viruses began when human behaviour changed during the Neolithic period, around 12,000 years ago, when humans developed more densely populated agricultural communities. this allowed viruses to spread rapidly and subsequently to become endemic.
Viruses of plants and livestock also increased, and as humans became dependent on agriculture and farming.
as humans have changed their behaviour during the course of history, so have viruses. in ancient times the human population was too small for pandemics to occur and, in the case of some viruses, too small for them to survive. In the 20th and 21st century increasing population densities, revolutionary changes in agriculture and farming methods, and high speed travel have contributed to the spread of new viruses and the re-appearance of old ones virus ..
now that we are 7 billion on earth ,virus can spread so quick on majors city and all around the world its beyond your imagination
also its cheaper to produce these type of weapon essayer to carry nor hide at duty
we shouldnt forget the binary virus which is certainly devloped by many country for a futur cyberwar
dont forget in history virus been used has weapon on castle siege wen they catapulted dead bodies over the ennemy wall , bodies carying virus like plague
even jaques cartier used similar tactic by trading infected clothing and food to first nation wich dosnt have the immune system to resist of these unknow virus from europe
thats why i think that every preppers and suvivalist should consider add a gas mask on their bug out bag and water purificator instead of water fitration wich dosnt remove virus from water
oh i was forgeting to say a few years ago one guys got the nobel prize for hes discovery , he found how to transmit animal virus to human , by using a dozen chiken on hes back yard
they gived this guys a nobel prize but what really pathetic its this method so eassy to reproduce that anyone could do it them self
also the world population is more educated now and it make more people qualified to develop these kind of virus
I agree with Dr Beats and with most comments mentioned by other participants as well but I believe there are many extremely important points that many Canadian preppers seem to forget to mention or seem to be unaware of.
I have to say I do not believe in "end of the world scenarios" but I must admit that the situation could get pretty bad. Personally, I do not like to say I am preparing for an "economic collapse" because I believe it is an incomplete and inaccurate statement. There is much more to it than just an "economic collapse". Personally I much prefer to say "I am preparing for a social and economic collapse caused by a global elite that succeeded in manipulating us because they have control over our medias, politicians and education system". I could also say that I am protecting myself and my family against the possibility of a totalitarian regime establishing it's power over our country and the western world since this is what this global elite really wants. Control freaks (dictators) tend to get elected by a very ignorant and brainwashed people and this is pretty much the situation were in and what could happen here soon if people don't wake up. We truly live in very dangerous times and most people are totally unaware of this fact.
I know many will say that this sounds like a "conspiracy theory" but if you study this subject in great detail, there is little doubt that a global elite has a lot of control over our medias, politicians, education system etc... and that they use their power to manipulate us (brainwash us though the medias and school system) and steel our money. All they are interested in is to grow their power and money.
Many well respected and internationally known experts fear the possibility of a global elite establishing their totalitarian power over the western world. Many internationally known and very courageous politicians and media personalities throughout the western world are holding this kind of political discourse. I believe Canada is far behind in this area. Internationally known politicians like Ron Paul (USA), Nigel Farage (UK), Marine LePen (FR) and many others are holding this kind of political discourse which denounces these crimes against humanity. This is a subject I studied for a long time and I believe this worldview is pretty accurate. Many here are probably already aware about all this but I think it is important to mention this worldview every time we have a chance to mention it otherwise people will never understand and never fight against the real causes. I believe that merely mentioning "economic collapse" is not good enough since there is a lot more that needs to be communicated. In reality, we are protecting ourselves from those who are causing this social and economic collapse and not just the collapse itself.
I believe it is our moral duty to pass the message to others around us and use the best possible words and expressions that will help in eventually eliminating the real causes of all these very dangerous problems. I know many preppers agree with this worldview and I would like to find out how many here are already aware of the existence of this worldview and how many already have this worldview.
I believe it is very important that preppers understand what they are really fighting against and what is the real cause of this social and economic collapse. Would you agree with this ?
Many experts talk about a "social and economic collapse" and not simply an "economic collapse". This collapse is not just economical since many people do not trust the system anymore. Many hate this system. Many are fighting the system and are disconnecting from it. More and more people refuse to be part of such a decadent, unjust, immoral and non-functional society. Many want to leave this system because they don't feel good in this type of society. This is also causing the economic collapse.
Our family is mainly preparing for a social and economic collapse but our preparations are indirectly protecting us from most other potential threats as well.
Anyway, I think it is more accurate to say "We are preparing for a social and economic collapse caused by a global elite that succeeded in manipulating us and steeling our money because they control our medias, politicians and schools" or something equivalent to that. A better way of saying it might be required here but I think you get the point.
Would you agree with that ?
We prep for economic collapse and believe it will be a slow collapse followed by a fatal blow so we prep with that in mind and any of the possible follow-on effects from it.
I don't worry about natural disasters as we are not in a high disaster area so I think I would be wasting my time and resources to bother prepping for that...don't even have a BOB.
While I certainly believe there is a real potential for a social and economic collapse, I am not going to lose any sleep over who is to blame and why this might happen. I too have done my research (as most on this site have) and sure there is some merit (emphasis on some) to the points made by 007. But you need to take everything with a grain salt. Too me, it is a waste of time and energy worrying about stuff like that. I prep to be prepared. Social and economic downfall being top of the list but I prep for all types of things. Being stranded in my car in the middle of winter on a lonely country road, blackouts, an epidemic/pandemic, food shortages, floods, earthquakes etc. etc. Anything could happen. I hope it doesn't but I do sleep much better knowing I am more prepared than the general public.
thats why i think that every preppers and suvivalist should consider add a gas mask on their bug out bag and water purificator instead of water fitration wich dosnt remove virus from water
Where do you find gas mask ?
Army surplus stores tend to have them. Though you may be better off with a new unit designed for workers in toxic environments, like this: http://m.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/stanley-mc-p100-respirator-0550137p.html
The filter elements decay over time, and especially if exposed to air.
Army surplus stores tend to have them. Though you may be better off with a new unit designed for workers in toxic environments, like this: http://m.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/stanley-mc-p100-respirator-0550137p.html
The filter elements decay over time, and especially if exposed to air.
The problem with those mask is they are designed to protect worker from chemical element found in industrial environment. They are useless against chemical or bacterial military grade agent. Those agent have different way to get in the body i.e. respiratory system, skin or eyes. The mask sold from CT and like can be useful in case of industrial accident, but are pretty much useless in case of war or terrorism attack, even with a military gas mask if you are lacking the protective suit to go with it, it will not be that much effective.
Some reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_mask
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOPP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_suit
Sorry for the typo, english not my first language.
Have a nice day !
It would be good if some of the canadian online preparedness stores would stock some proper masks . Briden does seem to
have N95 masks but I can get them at the drug store.
We need masks for Volcano Ash, pandemics, terrorism gases etc etc.
RequiemVK said right , military mask has diferent grade what you need its NBC mask just google it
i got 2 of these NATO NBC mask http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Brand-New-NBC-40mm-NATO-SGE-150-Gas-Mask-Made-In-The-USA-/171289074002?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27e19fd952