Learn to set traps for small game.
If possible, get a small caliber rifle. Good for hunting small game, as well as deer. (Poachers use them because of the low report. But you'll have to track longer. It can take a while for a deer to bleed out.)
Get a shotgun if you can, with different types of shot, from bird to buck. And don't forget the slugs.
I like the idea of including a bow in you equipment. I am doing the same, but I am using a stick bow (55# recurve). My reason for that, instead of a compound is simple. A compound can be complicated. A stick bow is easy. You string it, you shoot it. Take extra strings.
Arrows. Get as many as you can. Learn how to re-fletch them.
One more thing I would suggest is a cross-bow. The one I have is an old Whammo, that I got off a guy about 35 years ago. I've taken a rabbit or two, and it has enough power to bring down a deer.
You don't mention knives. I suggest you have several. As well as a machete and an axe.
You can't prepare for every contingency, but stock up on food, keep at least part of it where you can grab it and throw it in your vehicle. I'd keep some in the vehicle any way.
You've got the right idea. Get lots of survival books, read them, keep them available. Put them in you BOB.
But there is one thing you must do now, before it hits the fan. Practice. Can you make a snare? Can you build a fire without matches or a lighter?
Do you know how to put together an emergency shelter, in case you don't have a tent.
There are so many things we have to learn, and we have to learn them quickly.

top ten

water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water filter

another key to find people you can trust and stay together. try to find land with cover to make a small compound for safty where you can have roving guards in 12 hour shifts that way there is always security. try to find equipment such as wreckers, dozer, things where if you need to move things or plow things out of your way. also a large fuel supply and generators.

Water is essential to survival. I guess there are several different methods to steralize water. what is best?

Originally posted by wonderworld
Find an alternate shelter, a cave, RV, Camper, 4 season tent or make your own with tarps and tie downs. Buy a spare tarp. You can also learn to make a Teepee or lean-to shelter.

I would advise also keeping it completely out of sight of anyone who may potentially wander by, as well as from the air if possible. It may sound paranoid but in a situation like this all it takes is one chopper to roll by overhead with a thermal cam, spot you, and report you to authorities, if they ever decide they want to round up all the people fleeing society to put them in camps or whatever they will.

Cooking, use a multi fuel camp stove or use fire. Make pots using coffee cans with wire handles, fire starters are inexpensive and can easily be broken for several uses, many BIC lighters, the cheap ones wont hold up, lots of matches, build a tripod to hang your pots over the fire.

I would also recommend gradually getting your body adjusted to more raw foods, especially raw vegetation. Once your body adapts to more fibrous foods like this (your bio-chemistry will change), they are much more natural and healthier for you anyway than restaurant-type food. And they don't require cooking, which could give away your position with smoke and heat. Drinking water should be boiled if possible (unless you are absolutely confident in the source, high in the mountains or etc. -- chemical contaminates like fluoride are never removed by boiling anyway) but other than that only meats should be absolutely necessary to cook for some people but naturally our bodies can maintain great health with very little meat.

Originally posted by emsed1
top ten

water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water
water filter

Agreed. Look up where naturally-occurring water is in your area on Google map satellite imagery. Like-minded people will flock to those places when SHTF, and also tons of small local streams. It will be hard for many people to find a good, reliable source of water that will be otherwise undisturbed.

How many of us are really prepared for Survival? sure we'll run to the hills when and if something happens, but most all of us. (Talking about us who are aware something might and is going to happen in the near future) only have the plans in our head. We sat and thought about what we'll do, maybe we even Purchased the survival books, but i think that's about it.

My plans involve money, Buying land and setting up a farm style community for no more than 10-15 people. But these ideas involve buying land and that means cash or debt. The latter you don't want and the former I don’t have.

I got $3,000 in savings, my Cosco card (For bulk Purchases) and a getaway Truck. A quick stop at the shop for long life supplies and camping gear. And I’m on the way to No where. Unless I get a windfall and can afford a piece of land in the near Future.

Well feel sorry for us in the UK, we're rammed together like sardines in a tin. We're not even allowed guns

As soon as hauliers go bankrupt and supply lines get squeezed, i will buy as much tinned stuff with money i have left.

As soon as police knock on doors with a needle in one hand and tazer in the other, then that is d-day for me. We have the luxury of seeing TSHTF in USA first, so we'll have a weeks/months preparation.

Eye balling ATS posts, gives another few weeks warning

I'm also sure it will HTF here in the U.S first. But i don't think you will be too far behind-All you need is a plan and a few days Notice and you good to go.

You can always go live with the Irish !

The OP has put together some very useful information in his post. And the others have had some good input, too. Ex-military will be able to help with info, too. Picking up medical supplies is a must, as well as learning first aid. Secure shelter is a must. You must also decide if you need weapons, and how much ammo you'll need for them. Just make sure that they are all LEGALLY acquired. That is imperative.

Think of the hurricanes -- clogged roads, lack of fueling stations. In a real regional or nation-wide emergency, people will frantically get in their cars with about a day's worth of food, and try to race out of town before the SHTF and the roads are congested. Their plan may be to make it to Nebraska, Indiana, or some other unpopulated area. Unfortunately, the roads will be congested, their fuel will last only as far as their gas tank level will get them, and they will be stuck in their cars in the elements.

Originally posted by SharkBait
My plans involve money, Buying land and setting up a farm style community for no more than 10-15 people. But these ideas involve buying land and that means cash or debt. The latter you don't want and the former I don’t have.

How did you think law enforcement would respond to that in a martial law situation?

Not the debt I mean, but the fact that you've set up a community where 10-15 people are living in isolation.

[edit on 14-6-2009 by bsbray11]