What is your Achilles heel?

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by William Warren, Nov 30, 2014.


  1. William Warren

    William Warren Monkey+++

    I was reading another thread, about the Alaskan railroad, and it struck me that some of the Sourdoughs who depend on the Alaska railroad to deliver supplies would be in real trouble if the train stopped. This thread isn't about Alaska or the train, of course. It's about our Achilles heels: the one item we've never thought of that could throw all our plans awry.

    I'd like to see other monkeys comment on their Achilles heel. The question is both simple and hard: when you go over all your plans, and imagine putting them into action, what is the one "gotta have" thing that you realize you haven't prepared for?

    I'll start: for me, it's prescription medicines. Never mind why, but without them, I'm dead.

    It was a big surprise when I realized it, but I've gone for a long time without thinking of how I'm going to get the medicines I need to survive, when the drugstores are all closed. I've got water, and food, and ways to keep warm - but no way to get the drugs I have to have.

    Well, that's my Achilles heel: what's yours?

    William Warren
     
    Marck, stg58, tulianr and 2 others like this.
  2. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    My community could easily become isolated due to a Tsunami. It could take out the highways to the North, South and East making the only supply line by air or sea. A sizeable earth quake could do the same thing. There is little agriculture here, and very few ranchers raising beef and pork. The Elk and Deer would soon be gone after folks exhausted what they had pillaged from the local grocery outlets. If power were unavailable, water would be gone within days. Unfortunately, I am on a municipal water system. I haven't built a catchment system yet, so water would be my Achilles heel...

    I have planned a greenhouse build, but without water I couldn't grow a crop. Thought about raising animals for food but on a postage stamp lot, that is impractical. I decided long ago to home can beef, pork, chicken, turkey and as many vegetables as possible as part of a disaster plan. My hope is that most people here would get out to another area where assistance could be afforded them and not take to raiding their neighbors for food and water. But, I am prepared for that eventuality as well.
     
  3. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    I have no real experience with tactical shooting, having never been in law enforcement or the military. I am getting trained little by little, it is a slow process. I have no experience using a shortwave transceiver but that is changing. I have basic medical skills, took the wilderness first responders course, but need to work get my basic EMT. The more i learn the more i realize i need to know. Typical of life
     
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  4. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    Meds will be an issue for me too...though I won't die without them, I may become erratic and uh...possibly crazy. The best I can do is to keep a few St Johns Wort plants alive and a little "seed sack" of medicinal herbs that I've never grown and have no experience with. Tobbacco is also going to be a constant nagging craving.

    Food, water, shelter, BOV are all checked but there is an enormous list of "Skills to learn and practice hands on" that are unchecked.
    I've never started a fire without a match or lighter - despite knowing HOW - I have never actually sat down and did it....overcoming my hatred for the internal combustion engine and actually learning how to troubleshoot mechanical issues....stuff like that.

    So ya...I guess my AHs are drugs and untested skills.

    MG
     
  5. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Anything I only have ONE of.... "Two is One, and One is NONE".....
     
  6. William Warren

    William Warren Monkey+++

    That's a good practice, but I'd like to read what you don't have any of: the thing or skill that, when you think about it, would blindside you and spoil your plans.

    William Warren
     
    KAS likes this.
  7. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    BTPost has been living in the wilds of Alaska for decades now. From October til spring breakup he's pretty much isolated. Pretty sure things that may have shown up as an Achilles heel, happened in year 1 or two. And that was remedied the following season. ;)
     
  8. Dawg23

    Dawg23 do or do not, there is no try

    lets see, i have 2 achilles heels. both are my parents, my mom has had both hips replaced, and has issues walking. Dad is in decent health, but has no stamina, compared to what he was used to. so if we have to bugout, i have 3 to care for, not just one.
     
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  9. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    I'm going to say ... Debt.
    I'm working on reducing it but we go hyperinflation, servicing debt is killer.
    Tough choices will need to be made at that time.
     
    tulianr and Dawg23 like this.
  10. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    My "Classic" example was brought home to Me, yesterday... I use a Stock Tank Heater to keep my Water Collection Totes liquid, when it is below Freezing. We have had a week of below Freezing Wx, this last week, and my three year old Heater doesn't seem to be working this winter... I only had the one, and now I have NONE... I ordered two, this morning, from Tractor Supply... It will take two weeks for them to get here... Had I followed my own advice, I wouldn't be in this situation.... But in two weeks I will have remedied this situation... That is exactly why I have this RULE, in my life.....
     
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  11. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Medications. I'll almost certainly get an infection and die within 6 months to a year if/when things break down. Just recently learned about fish antibiotics (same ones used for people, but don't require a prescription), so hopefully can stretch it out a bit longer. My preparations are mainly to get my loved ones (who are oblivious) set up and going when the time comes, and be there long enough to give them the best chance. I'm the only one who can think and act like a sheepdog, and that's what concerns me the most.
     
  12. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Those work btw.
     
  13. Gray Wolf

    Gray Wolf Monkey+++

    Right now, it's water. If power goes out and water does not get pumped into the water tower, I will purify the swimming pool water until it runs out.
     
    Tracy likes this.
  14. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Money, without it, there is so much that is just not possible.
    (Side note) I would recommend OPSEC in answers given. specifically in defensive or offensive capabilities.
    I'm a firm believer in the concept of the predator prepper. (One that would scan these sites looking for victims or sources of material) and everything here except for PM's can be googled.
    (I think shoutbox, PM's, and chat are protected from google, though a MOD would know better. )
    Be aware of the risk, JMHO)
     
  15. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    That is really great advice, heard it and understand it
     
    kellory likes this.
  16. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Some on here call that''Bait''
     
  17. alaskachick

    alaskachick A normally quiet snow monkey

    Thats true ,although thankfully we did have a few simple survival situations at first, we " survived". Right now our lives are pretty cushy with all the improvements we have made. If we ever lose some of the nicer things we have developed, we could still"survive" it just might be not as much fun ;)
     
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  18. alaskachick

    alaskachick A normally quiet snow monkey

    Medications would be mine also. I am working to lessen this aspect by, renewing the Rx right when they are due. Often times there a few days where I forget to take my meds, so over the years I can actually build up a nice supply. Also my mail pharmacy allows me to renew 2 weeks before I am due to run out. Then the next refill, the countdown begins again from the day they ship. So if you just keep right on it you can receive almost a months worth of meds each year. I also am going to learn more about some of the stronger herbs available.
     
    Tracy, BTPost and VisuTrac like this.
  19. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Chick, see TOTM for December, we might just learn something.
     
  20. mysterymet

    mysterymet Monkey+++

    I travel for work sometimes so I could find myself far from home at the wrong time...
     
    Harbin and KAS like this.
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