After rewatching the first episode of doomsday preppers it became apparent to me that there is too much content to do a blog post on each episode. Instead, I will be breaking it down by each of the survivalists featured and going through point by point. So without further ado, we’ll start with Paul Range and Gloria Haswell – some of the most thorough preppers featured on the show
- Being a full time prepper - Paul and Gloria have the distinct advantage of being retired, which allows them to prep full time. Not surprisingly, this has lead to one of the most extensive preparation plans I have ever seen. The ability to cook 8 meals a day makes the stockpiling option very feasible, but unfortunately it is something that cannot be done by most people with jobs, kids and a life. Their strategy reflects a very labor intensive approach, something similar could be done without the work if there was a lot of money to be spent but again it’s not realistic to 95% of people out there
- Hunting and prepping- Really liked the footage of Paul butchering a deer and converting it into rations. It was only on the screen for a few seconds but over time this would be a great way to get meat on the cheap and learn some skills for a post-apocalyptic world. While it is geared towards the stockpiling style of prepping it also builds the ability for Paul and Gloria to survive if they bug out.
- Polar shift- I wasn’t sold on Paul and Gloria’s reason for prepping of the polar shift causing a series of earthquakes and continental shift. Looking at the geological record there has only been one speed for continents moving, and that is slow. If polar shifts caused massive geological activity we would be able to see it in the record 400,000 years ago when it is known to have happened. Compasses would point in a different direction but we probably won’t be seeing snow in Texas if it happens. Regardless, they are well prepared for just about anything with their set up.
- The compound- The castle like compound (featured above) is one of the coolest bug out locations I’ve ever seen. Looks like it came out of Road Warrior (just walk away). With the cheap, strong material of shipping containers it looks like something that could be replicated. There are houses made out of shipping containers in Amsterdam and have been considered as a cheap way to build houses in Haiti as well, but would make a great base for survival locations.
- Power sources- Really impressed by the totally off the grid power supply, including methane from livestock and other waste products. The thought of lighting up a gas stove seems like a luxury in a post apocalpytic world and the fact that it can be made from waste is very intriguing. This would also prepare them for any sort of energy related crisis and while expensive up front, can keep the running costs down over time.
- Bugging out- The military training of Paul and Gloria’s team really shines through in their bug out convoy plan. The concept of rounding the wagons is very interesting. The idea of trying to get the drop on 22 fortified marines does not sound very appealing to any would be raiders. This also shows that bugging out with a group can have its benefits, usually fast is better but with training a group can get to that level of responsiveness.
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