I had breakfast with some cruising sailors last week and I was just blown away at the level of knowledge and preparation they had - which they considered "normal."
A cruising sailboat these days needs a means of storing fuel, water, and food for 3 days to 3 weeks. They usually have small diesel engines, and often have generators, battery banks, and solar power. They need all the tools to keep that stuff running in a marine environment, and the knowledge to do so - right down to repairing sails. If they do need help, they often have to pay cash for it, and defending the boat from piracy is routine in the Caribbean.
Then we got onto first aid - they know that it will be hours at best and days at worst to receive any medical attention. They need to be able to navigate, day and night and in bad weather.
Their houses (one in MA, one in Maine) were similarly well-equipped. Generators, tools, supplies - all squared away.
I've found so many "preppers" that seem to have an emphasis on one area to the neglect of others. They have a 10 year supply of food, guns, money, gold, or whatever, but shortcomings in other areas. These folks were experienced in and enjoyed living an environment that many others would consider a hardship at best and emergency at worst.
A cruising sailboat these days needs a means of storing fuel, water, and food for 3 days to 3 weeks. They usually have small diesel engines, and often have generators, battery banks, and solar power. They need all the tools to keep that stuff running in a marine environment, and the knowledge to do so - right down to repairing sails. If they do need help, they often have to pay cash for it, and defending the boat from piracy is routine in the Caribbean.
Then we got onto first aid - they know that it will be hours at best and days at worst to receive any medical attention. They need to be able to navigate, day and night and in bad weather.
Their houses (one in MA, one in Maine) were similarly well-equipped. Generators, tools, supplies - all squared away.
I've found so many "preppers" that seem to have an emphasis on one area to the neglect of others. They have a 10 year supply of food, guns, money, gold, or whatever, but shortcomings in other areas. These folks were experienced in and enjoyed living an environment that many others would consider a hardship at best and emergency at worst.