I agree with the above two Posters.
A Double Edged Sword is a definate possibility and potential reality.
Not letting them know about the well, your position, or planning success is Rule # 1.
Rule # 2 is hiding like a rabbitt in a hole for as long as possible.
Rule # 3 is to pump that water OUT of the well and STORE it, as fast as it will return, while the water table is up high enough to even have water.
Rule # 4 is when they find you DO NOT LET THEM walk up on your location... stop them at the road or top of the hill, and communicate with them and
trade with them there... DO NOT LET THEM INSPECT YOUR DEFENSES up close, or even know how many of you there are, until it can no longer be avoided
through gained and earned TRUST.
They dont go to the well, the water comes up to them,
( with their own containers ) Maybe a small child ( Of theirs ) could carry their water up
to them.
When your neighbors eventually come a knockin'... you have two choices... you either shun them and possibly make 10 times that amount of enemies....
because they WILL be back with friends at 3:00 am to get your water... all piseed off at the A - hole who wont share,
OR you try like a Good Human to help them out as much as possible, and try to get them to HELP YOU protect your water and now 'their' only
water...
I just honestly believe that when your dealing with a fixed resource, you have to be a bit more Neighborly, and convert possible hostile survivors
into people feeling thankful for basic life sustaining liquid that they have a STOCK in protecting and improving.
I simply think you will get a lot more success with being KIND than you will by being a Stingy Ass.
Thats going to piss a lot of people OFF, who are going to be on a short fuse anyway and already deathly desperate. All they need is a Target to focus
their frustration on and I dont want to be "it".
I dont want those highly motivated and pissed of neighbors plotting against me for a day or three, and rushing the farm to take what they want and
with force. Especially with 10 or 12 other thirsty neighbors who may have lived in the area for 60 years or more and that feel entitled to the well,
the farm, my mate, and may even shoot my dog.
I think its best to just give them the little that you can with no expectation of trade at first to simply sustain life and get them over that "I've
got to have water or I'm gonna kill something" mentality.
It does not take much to diffuse this situation, and flip them to helping you in trade for water. Really it does not...a cracker will stop hunger as
most of it is really mental anyway.
Also, they may KNOW of another well in the area, a stock tank, or Quarry where you can ALL GO and get thousands of gallons in a group effort with
combined fuel, manpower, and knowledge, possibly even using the pumps and plumbing that is already existing on the property. They may know of a large
diesel generator, Diesel fuel storage tanks, trash pumps or even well drilling equipment that you have no clue exists.
I think the possibilities of people having an positive input in this situation outweight the alternative " immediate hostile intent" by a factor of
20.
Although I could be wrong... and would be ready to defend constantly after I knew I had been "discovered".
I know that I personally would try to HELP whoever had the water, when I thought I was about to DIE from thirst after 3 or 4 days, and finally got a
drink.
Talk about Priorities shifting....
Yep.. GIVE the water away at first, with no expectation of trade, or without even asking for it.
If they offer something...great... consider it.
After 3 or 4 waterings... its no longer "life and death immediately"
,. and its time to contribute SOMETHING.... even an effort.... will do to start.
I THINK YOU WILL KNOW IF THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING OR NOT PRETTY DURN QUICK... WITHIN A WEEK.
One more thng.... when the well starts to run dry...you just HAVE to be honest and let everyone know that the Gallon a day is now a quart...
Hopefully you stored some water beforehand.
I also suggest a CHEAP above ground pool from wal mart, for 150.00 that will hold 5000 gallons. Start filling this up from the well NOW, taking
advantage of electricty and time available.
Its the cheapest storage container you can buy, as most are 1.00 per gallon for normal tanks.
We are talking about this NOW... so there is really NO EXCUSE to not have water stored.
I'm not so sure you need to let anyone know about your stored water either... perhaps that should be a last ditch supply for Family.
Nothing wrong with that at all, especially after helping everyone else, on YOUR DIME.
Blitzkreigen
PS. Let me add NURSES to the above items for trade list, Dentists, and Pharmacists. Chemists, and Microbiologists.
Also... TELL THEM not to divulge any information about you or the well.
It will now be in their BEST INTEREST to not tell anyone else.
If they bring a friend... the friend shares HIS water for the first few days, until the Friend can contribute or be trusted.
Same 'Trade Argeements' need to apply, after Basic Life Sustaining Necessities have been met to fulfill Spiritual and 'Humane' duties.
[edit on 15-7-2008 by Blitzkreigen]