Scenario Blind

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by TailorMadeHell, Mar 13, 2016.


  1. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    Okay I have thought on this many times. I need new eyes with new perspectives on it. Any input will help. Even those that want to play devil's advocate. Here goes...

    I live with a friend who is totally blind. I am accumulating supplies for both of us. Putting together bugout bags and the like for both. There are two locations in different neighboring states that could be BO locations. Scenario is going on foot to those locations with a blind person, myself, a shihtzu dog and possibly a German shepherd dog. Your thoughts, tips and advice welcome.
     
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  2. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Devils advocate.... get a few more in your sphere.... that would want to travel with you...strength in numbers, especially when one member has a significant handicap!!
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Wow. First thought is to scout out the track to make sure your companion can manage the footing. I hope one of the two dogs is of the seeing eye type service dog. Outfit both dogs with packs for non food items.
     
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  4. kellory

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

    (Tasteless joke deleted. - ghrit)
    Seriously, think dog cart. They were used for a long time by those who could not afford horses for transport. It would ease his passage and yours. It can carry more gear than dog panniers.
     
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  5. UncleMorgan

    UncleMorgan I like peeling bananas and (occasionally) people.

    The blind person should not wear a pack, because that limits their ability to maintain balance on rough terrain. A fall would be much more likely.

    You should do a woods-walk with your blind friend and find out what his normal walking speed will be on the kind of terrain you expect to meet.

    It's outside the box, but a couple of mules might offer significant advantages on a long trek to a BOL, if they could be arranged.

    In all your planning, keep in mind that it always rains at the worst possible time during an outdoor emergency.
     
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  6. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Test runs! It will tell you what you need and don't need then work from there. You have an interesting problem set and I truly doubt you can cover all bases until you actually walk the walk. Take all the good advice here and do some deep planning and then do some test runs.
     
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  7. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I would do everything possible to eliminate this from the equation.
     
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  8. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    A saddled donkey that may be led, might be a better option than having him/her walk...let the donkey negotiate the track etc....it will probably also allow for a much quicker rate of movement too.

    A small group would be a good idea. Sharing the load of care, security, protection , and meeting the social needs of you and your visually impaired friend. Minor disasters don't become major ones, if you have additional people to sort out the problems that arise....being a solo carer is fraught with many hazards that might be minimised with other folk to help out.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2016
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  9. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    All good advice. The group thing may not happen. Don't know any like minded people in my area. Hard to find those who aren't nut cases. Have transportation in form of a jeep, though planning for worst case. No livestock to be had. If I went with a bike and wagon that brings up sticking to roadways. I'm beginning to formulate a plan. And dogs won't be guides, just a pet and a guard.
     
  10. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    Hand held communication will be invaluable if you and your friend become separated should you have to scout ahead etc. Depends on the reason for bugging out, and the extent to which emergency services are still functional....giving your friend a personal locater beacon may be worthwhile in circumstances where recue services are still functional.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2016
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  11. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    @TailorMadeHell are you talking 100% blind or visually impaired? I have a visually impaired person in my circle with some eye sight left and can hit big white targets with a BB gun. IMO bugging out on foot should be the true last resort and maybe not even then. You need to consider if something happens to you then your friend will have to take the lead or be left to get to safety on their own. Can they make it to the BOL on their own without you? With visually impaired, the other senses step up, which would be key in a survival situation. Your friend probably knows more about your current area then you do. Every dip, corner, sound and smell. TMH you need to go to a wilderness trail put on a blind fold and go for a walk, this will be what your friend will have to go thru if you are gone or incapacitated.

    Will post more later
     
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  12. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    100% blind. And no, there's no extra senses kicking in for her. She was born with hydrocephalus. She was limited vision till high school and now totally blind. If I were to face reality, this is purely hypothetical because of the amount of health problems. She takes meds multiple times a day. She's not keen on smell and hearing without hearing aids is not good. She may be one of the ones that dies due to lack of meds during the beginning of SHTF. I admit the lone wolf is easier to move and such in this situation, however once I take you under my wing, it's for your life. Just the protector type I am. Loyalty is one of my core values. I know the inevitable may happen though I don't just give up on people. Don't get me wrong, I have that voice talking of the easier road but it's just not what I will follow.
     
  13. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    @TailorMadeHell , you are to be commended for your loyalty in your situation, and I think better of you for searching out all possible solutions .. Never leave a man behind!

    Now, how well doe's your friend understand the possible outcomes for SHTF scenario's?? You make no mention of any cognitive deficit's your friend may have .. You state that you are making all the prep's for the both of you, so how familiar is your friend with the content's of the BOB's? And how to use those contents..
    Just my thoughts..
     
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  14. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    I am briefing her. She is downloading some survival books as a start. I've discussed that it's not a hobby. I am slowly working her up to be knowledgeable. Will be planning some camping trips to show her and see how she does. Baby steps. She understands that there are natural and man-made stuff to survive. She is okay in the brain department, though she does acknowledge that I'm "the brains of the outfit". Boy are we in trouble. Haha.
     
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  15. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Do NOT lose that sense of humor ---
     
  16. TailorMadeHell

    TailorMadeHell Lurking Shadow Creature

    I try my hardest. Days may come that are grim and filled with tough choices though will hold to humor to help me through. Even if all it is would be gallows humor.
     
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  17. kellory

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

    A day without humor, is a day wasted. I will be causing mirth from my coffin. In truth, I have designed my own, and will sit up and tip my hat to random passer bys. (As well as a few other gags.;))
    As to your friend, this is a deer cart of my design, and it would not be difficult to design and construct a dog cart for transport. IMG_20151005_164158108. I use the same wheels when moving the boat to water by hand on this carrier. IMG_20151005_162926630. Should you need a dog cart built, I'm sure we could come up with something that breaks down by hand like this, and no need of tools. IMG_20151005_163832585.
     
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  18. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

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  19. DarkLight

    DarkLight Live Long and Prosper - On Hiatus

    Keep an ear to the ground and bug out early if at all possible to give you as much of a head start via "traditional" means as you can.

    It's too bad they don't make tandem mountain bikes that aren't crazy expensive. You wouldn't want to go rock hopping on one but if they are in the back they could at least help provide motive power and a mountain bike is less dependent on a road (although again, you couldn't go too crazy).
     
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  20. TXKajun

    TXKajun Monkey+++

    Meds, meds and more meds. If your friend is on some serious medications that she really cannot do without, seems like a good first step would be to get beaucoup meds put aside.

    Kajun
     
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