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Land of Plenty


Whether you are a peak oil devotee, or a 2012 planetary realignment

fan we all agree that something is going to happen, happen fairly

soon, that will change forever the world we currently live in.

Another thing that is fairly certain is this:

The remnants of infrastructure will outlast all of us.This will be

true for two reasons. First, the population will never get anywhere

near this size again.

Second, There will be plenty of stuff to build with afterwards. We

should never need to mine anymore raw materials since those still

alive will find themselves standing in a world wide junkyard.That is

why scrounging and recycling materials will be a new way of life for

many.

I have never been able to pass a dumpster without looking in to see if

any treasure is within reach. I love thrift stores who have no rented

storage for overstock and "Donate It" to their own dumpsters behind

the store.After the crash, dumpster diving will end and full scale

scrounging will begin.

You need certain equipment to be effective. A sledge hammer, bolt

cutters, linesman pliers work on cable and chain link,tin snips( ever

try and cut a coffee can with a pocket knife?) crow bar. You will need

to dress for work. Goggles or safety glasses, heavy duty gloves,good

dust mask, steel toed boots and knee pads, and strap on flashlights,

wouldn't hurt either.Night vision is great if you can afford it now or

scrounge it later.

You will need dolly, a garden wagon,wheel barrow to haul your

treasures away to your hideout. If the area is depopulated enough a

golf cart dragging a trailer would be awesome! No matter what, Make

damn sure you are not followed. Take your time but don't waste your

time.

I suggest you buy some two foot lengths of chain and some padlocks.

Buy them now and put them in the back yard and let them weather so

they don't look new. When you cut your way in to a place you might

want to revisit, try using one of your own locks and chain to secure

it when you

leave. You will also need disassembly tools. wrenches and pliers and

real screwdrivers. I love vise grips! Leatherman tools and Swiss army

knives are good for small appliances not much else. Try taking your

car mirror off with a Swiss army knife?

scrounge areas:

parks, include picnic tables yield wood, metal tubing, and nuts and bolts.

tennis courts,big net for fishing, chain link and metal tubing.

abandoned cars. left intact they are good shelter, they yield

batteries,cables,wire,,tires,radios (if you're lucky a GPS),rubber

hose,seats, seat belts,glass, mirrors, maybe a little gas.!


While everybody is raiding the supermarkets I recommend you go to the

school cafeteria and load up.Be fast and be Careful! Same would hold

true for Micky D's and Burger King. Two days worth of supplies for a

fast food joint could last you and yours a long time.

While I usually recommend a lone wolf approach to survival,this is one

of those times you need a +one for a lookout.

Be Fast, Be Alert, Think, Be Careful Good Luck

the rat