BajaNomad - Thinking of becoming a PREPPER here in the Baja.

Thinking of becoming a PREPPER here in the Baja.

CaboSur - 11-15-2014 at 06:46 AM

Would Baja be a good PREPPER location ?
Possible catastrophic events in the Baja, hurricanes, earthquakes solar flares destroying all power transformers
and communications, etc.

After surviving Odile i have been thinking of the possibility of becoming a Prepper here in the Baja.

It was quite an eye opener after Odile to see how so many people were totally unprepared for a
major catastrophic event.
At daylight the morning after Odile all my neighbors were out walking the streets in total dismay with the amount of
destruction. Everyone was very considerate asking each other if they needed food
water or any help. Several had lost their tinacos and had no water for bathing and very little water to drink.

First I am not a fearmonger, just my first hand observations from San Jose del Cabo.
Two days after the hurricane the vandalism spread into the neighborhoods with cars windows being broken
and homes being robbed. Four days passed before the federal police patrols were started with the
mayor being missing in action with civil disobedience becoming widespread. Several neighborhoods set up wooden barricades at the ends of the
streets and set them on fire at night and had groups with flashlights patrolling the streets.

It doesn't matter where you live, without any offical authority civil disobedience can become out of control.
Here in the Baja or Ferguson, Missouri.

This is my preliminary idea,
1. Would it be feasible to build a basement to store provisions, never have seen one here.
2. Water being the most important commodity could be stored in underground tinacos.
3. Probably would be advisable living close to the beach where there is an unlimited supply of seafood available for when the canned goods run out.
4. Firearms not likely, but would be very helpful in self defense.
5. Climate is not a problem no cold winters.
6. For cooking a large propane tank ? since very little firewood is available.

Thoughts ?

woody with a view - 11-15-2014 at 06:51 AM

i know a couple guys who have gone overboard. i keep telling them if the end never happens in their lifetime they sure wasted a bunch of time and money. keep in mind your neighbors will soon find out you have a bunch of supplies (after the asteroid impact) and will soon come liberate it from you!

after the worst hurricane on record, if it was me, i'd have water on hand in the future.

Bob and Susan - 11-15-2014 at 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboSur

This is my preliminary idea,
1. Would it be feasible to build a basement to store provisions, never have seen one here.

Basements are a bad idea...they flood...lots of water in a hurricane

2. Water being the most important commodity could be stored in underground tinacos.

my tanks are underground...BIG mistake on my part...concrete cracks and water can be contaminated
and plastic tanks break...you need to be able to replace them

3. Probably would be advisable living close to the beach where there is an unlimited supply of seafood available for when the canned goods run out.

With a hurricane...the water "run-off" contaminates the sea for awhile...don't eat the fish for awhile

4. Firearms not likely, but would be very helpful in self defense.

Get caught with a firearm and go to prison

5. Climate is not a problem no cold winters.

I'm wearing a jacket every morning...its COLD

6. For cooking a large propane tank ? since very little firewood is available.

BIG propane tanks are expensive to fill...$$$
If you get a leak you lose ALOT of money and in disasters pipes can break.
It's much better to have a few "smaller" propane tanks you can control

Thoughts ?

I think you should "re-think" your planning BEFORE you become a "professional prepper"

bajaguy - 11-15-2014 at 08:05 AM

Being able to sustain yourself for 3 - 5 days during/after a man caused or nature caused catastrophic event is not being paranoid, it is common sense

preparer

J.P. - 11-15-2014 at 09:44 AM

I grew up in Tornado Alley in the Panhandle of Texas and lived a good part of my adult life on the Gulf coast. Sever weather is no stranger to me as far as Hurricanes go the best plan in my mind is to keep a full tank of gasoline in your vehicle so you can get OUT of Dodge. The heck with personal possessions they can be replaced.

danaeb - 11-15-2014 at 10:26 AM

What a weird coincidence. At about 8:am here in San Diego, I was just about to post my observations, post-Odile, for the things that would have made life much easier during the aftermath. Get a generator! Unfortunately, just as I was about to type this, San Diego experienced a major power outage. Power was just restored...

:bounce:

On edit, I have a question. What size generator would be enough to power a small refrigerator, a lamp and a fan? That would have made a huge difference to me in the week after Odile.

[Edited on 11-15-2014 by danaeb]

KaceyJ - 11-15-2014 at 10:46 AM

danaeb

We use a honda 2000 and it will easily power a couple of fridges , plus a small fan and a couple of lights. It is lightweight and fairly quiet and will run most of the night on a tank of fuel
The problem with generators is keeping the fuel system clean so it runs when you need it to and the storage of the fuel

vandenberg - 11-15-2014 at 11:05 AM

Like KaseyJ states it's important to have a generator ready to go in an emergency. Gas powered ones ,like boats when not frequently used , tend to gum up, even if you run the carb supposedly dry. I know this from experience.
For the next season I'll be looking for a propane powered unit. Cost about the same to run and only slightly more expensive then gas powered ones.
For pricing check Amazon and Price Machine.
I'm looking at 6 to 7 KW units priced below $ 800.00

woody with a view - 11-15-2014 at 11:38 AM

fuel in Mex doesn't have ethanol which is the culprit. i left my mower sit for 3 months and needed to clean the carb because of the fuel here, even with Stabil it doesn't matter. the generator in Baja sits for 6 months and fires right up with Stabil.

also, look at all of the gas sitting in your vehicle gas tanks that could be siphoned in an emergency. i try to keep my tank above 1/2 at all times.

bajabuddha - 11-15-2014 at 12:18 PM

"This is my preliminary idea,
1. Would it be feasible to build a basement to store provisions, never have seen one here.
2. Water being the most important commodity could be stored in underground tinacos.
3. Probably would be advisable living close to the beach where there is an unlimited supply of seafood available for when the canned goods run out.
4. Firearms not likely, but would be very helpful in self defense.
5. Climate is not a problem no cold winters.
6. For cooking a large propane tank ? since very little firewood is available."

1. Block buildings are how it's done here, with a steel door. You still need to protect it too, though.
2. Underground tinacas have to be pumped up rather than gravity-fed. More power needed.
3. Close to the beach, heard of 'storm-surge'? Notice how many days it took for the surf to subside enough to glean anything left to eat? Everyone going to live there, or is that just for you?
4. Self-defense is mandated by Mexican law of what you can, and cannot do. Good neighborhood planning worked; finally.
5. Mute point.
6. You can own as many large cylindrical propane tanks as you like, store them in your blockhouse. Having a portable 'Partners' camp stove on hand would be wise, with blaster for heating large quantities of water (a 2-3 gallon galv. bucket for wash/rinse). Also pre-stock a few gallons of Clorox as well as LOTS of bottled water. Buy at start of hurricane season, drink it all the rest of the year. Generator a must.

Far's becoming a "PREPPER", rotsa ruck. Looking to be a 'professional' one? Even mas suerte. Having your own chit together?...... Priceless. Downside: the more you own, the more you can lose or have taken from you. That's a given, some places more than others. Remember the '6 - "P"s'.... Prior Planning Prevents Pizz Poor Performance.

willardguy - 11-15-2014 at 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Being able to sustain yourself for 3 - 5 days during/after a man caused or nature caused catastrophic event is not being paranoid, it is common sense

words of wisdom for sure! :yes:

Pompano - 11-15-2014 at 01:48 PM

While we applaud you for your good intentions, you may be preaching to the choir on this subject. Lots and lots of us have built homes in Baja and exercised some common sense in providing for natural and unnatural disasters. Long ago we built stone & cement cisterns to hold a huge quantity of emergency water, airtight storerooms for food and supplies, kept propane tanks filled (large and small), made sure there were no firearms on the property but lots of machetes and dogteeth, solar power, and of course, that all-important tool...a good back-up generator.

AND...a dependable mechanic to keep it in maximum shape while drinking a minimum of Pacifico.

Good idea and keep thinking!

larryC - 11-16-2014 at 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danaeb
What a weird coincidence. At about 8:am here in San Diego, I was just about to post my observations, post-Odile, for the things that would have made life much easier during the aftermath. Get a generator! Unfortunately, just as I was about to type this, San Diego experienced a major power outage. Power was just restored...

:bounce:

daneab
I agree with the Honda 2000 suggestion. what I have found with mine is that it is difficult to run the fuel out of the carburetor. So what I do is open the side cover of the generator and drain the carb float bowl manually using the small drain screw at the bottom of the carb. Also make sure the vent is closed on the fuel cap so the fuel will not evaporate out. My gen sat for over a year, but with just a few pulls on the starter rope to get the fuel up to the carb it started and ran fine. Stabil is also a good idea to add to the fuel tank on generators that will be sitting for long periods of time.
Hope this helps
Larry

desertcpl - 11-16-2014 at 04:25 PM

my take on this

would Baja be a good place for a Prepper

I would say no,,, when you start some thing like this all the locals will know where to go. it might not be so safe

Gulliver - 11-17-2014 at 07:58 PM

I have spent most of my life in places where there were extreme weather events. Mostly wind storms and/or blizzards and ice storms causing extended power outages.

Generators and full vehicle tanks are certainly very important. But far, far more important is being good friends with your neighbors. You don't have to worry about break-ins and theft and such when you have a community.

As far as the bunker mentality thing, I remember two friends having a discussion of such things and one guy was focussed on weapons. His buddy said, "You'd shoot someone over a bucket of carrots?"

We all had a good laugh over that one.

If you are afraid of your neighbors maybe you need to move!

mexicali-kid - 11-18-2014 at 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
my take on this

would Baja be a good place for a Prepper

I would say no,,, when you start some thing like this all the locals will know where to go. it might not be so safe

I agree, any lights on in your house after a disaster will be a beacon to attract the hoi poloi.

If you are going to be a prepper, keep a low profile. No generators running.

Gulliver - 11-18-2014 at 03:03 PM

I've got a neighbor here moving dirt for me for about $4 an hour. One of the first things I will do if the power stays off is run some extension cords over to his house so that his food doesn't spoil.

With the attitudes I'm hearing on here you probably will have problems. Are you living in some enemy camp or something? Wow!

Martyman - 11-18-2014 at 03:37 PM

oh... a prepper. I see.
I thought you were going to start wearing blue and pink plaid shorts and have an alligator on your golf shirt.

motoged - 11-18-2014 at 04:06 PM

Having supplies for a few days makes sense ....having power source if off the grid makes sense....the rest of the "prepper" thing just seems a bit over the edge.

But, some folks are just hanging around that edge I suppose.

It makes for very mediocre "reality TV" that is boring after 20 minutes.... :rolleyes:

Each to their own.

bajabuddha - 11-18-2014 at 04:31 PM

One very poignant thought comes to mind:

"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished". :saint:

chuckie - 11-18-2014 at 04:45 PM

This whole thread deals with the short term. Thinking in terms of days or weeks. Baja, in my opinion is one of the worst places in the world to sit out an event which might last months or years. There is a very limited amount of fresh potable water, and what there is is dependent on electric power to get it. A generator is of no value whatever beyond its available fuel storage. There is little (no) forage food available, deer etc. It is in a foreign country. The Govt is already corrupt. You may not own firearms for protection and forage...AND veryone else will have them. In the event you have to leave, where would you go...???? Bad choice....

motoged - 11-18-2014 at 04:51 PM

Chuckie,
I agree....plus, Baja doesn't have a lot of pheasants....

But you might be in luck with females with overbites... :biggrin:

mtgoat666 - 11-18-2014 at 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
This whole thread deals with the short term. Thinking in terms of days or weeks. Baja, in my opinion is one of the worst places in the world to sit out an event which might last months or years. There is a very limited amount of fresh potable water, and what there is is dependent on electric power to get it. A generator is of no value whatever beyond its available fuel storage. There is little (no) forage food available, deer etc. It is in a foreign country. The Govt is already corrupt. You may not own firearms for protection and forage...AND veryone else will have them. In the event you have to leave, where would you go...???? Bad choice....

nothing like wasting time and money on worrying about and obsessing on prepping for improbable events,.... not!

p.s. when the rapture comes, only the sinners need to be preppers :lol:

Bob and Susan - 11-18-2014 at 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
..nothing like wasting time and money on worrying about and obsessing on prepping for improbable events,.... not!

p.s. when the rapture comes, only the sinners need to be preppers :lol:

so true...

chuckie - 11-18-2014 at 06:46 PM

Hey! I aint worrying about it....I introduced reality into a wannabe thread...But some folks cant handle reality, I guess....

805gregg - 11-18-2014 at 09:39 PM

It would be a good idea to be prepared no matter where you are, a couple of weeks supplies doesn't cost much and last a long time some 15 years. There are these things called water bobs, in the event of an emergency put them in your bathtub and fill them with water, about 100 gallons. Then have freeze dried food for enough time. Plus defensive protection. The supermarkets in the US have about a 4 day supply, how long will that last in and extreme earthquake where the roads are whipped out? You saw what happened in Cabo the markets were looted in no time, in a sustained event how would you survive? I'm good for 5 months, but don't come knocking

bajabuddha - 11-18-2014 at 11:02 PM