500 CCTV cameras in Port of Spain, more preps

500 CCTV cameras in Port of Spain. That’s very reassuring. At least to the company that has the contract to service/maintain them. But what does it mean to the average citizen? The cost of these cameras, and the attendant service contract is not known to the taxpayer, yet we foot the bill. Where is the footage stored? Who has access to these archives? How many arrests and convictions have been made due to the evidence from these cameras?



MORE PREPPING

Got two mini first aid kits, and they’ve been stashed in the Bug Out Bags. They were tokens to members for attending the annual general meeting of a credit union. Only one per member, but someone was complaining about it being a “useless dust-collector”. I cheerfully offered my saucer of hors d’ouvres in exchange for their kit. “Two is one and one is none”. Redundancy and charity. This is a classic example of choices people make impacting their future. That person chose instant gratification coupled with delayed trauma. I chose the obverse.

Getting a little low on pellets, so a trip to the store is in order. Recently stocked up on D size batteries, more bottled water and telephone directories. Directories have multiple uses during emergencies. They can be be used in starting a fire, as a target, target backstop, outdoor toilet paper, and oh, yes, to find a listed telephone number. They’re also free.

Bought a thin layer of dense foam from a furniture factory. The factory slices off the top, due to the slightly irregular shape. It’s sold relatively cheap; about $30- $40. It’s large enough to throw on the floor for an unexpected six-foot-plus guest to sleep comfortably.

Preps and land search

Stashing away preps. Oils, lotions, repellent, bags, moist towellets, water, canned foods, diapers, disposable razors. Also travel toothbrushes, floss, dental picks and ponchos. Every bit stashed is ‘another brick in the wall’ of our emergency preparedness. Our family will eat (and continue to be hygienic), no matter what happens to the economy. We’d also be able to be charitable to others who haven’t prepared.

Searching for suitable land for two purposes. One, as a homestead/retreat, and two, the club needs a shooting range. If anyone owns land and is not using it, then maybe we can negotiate short-term use. Contact us via this blog.

Also on the lookout for a solar battery charger. Should at least charge AA, AAA, C & D batteries. If T&TEC ever shuts off the power for more than a day or two, then having a way to recharge batteries will be important. No point having several flashlights, radios and other emergency tools if no (battery) power is available. If you have one for sale, contact us.


More food price increases

The price of crude oil has dropped dramatically over the past couple months, yet food prices increase with regularity, locally. When oil was high (over US100 per barrel) we were told that was the main factor behind the rising cost of food. Now oil cost less than 50% than it did three months ago, yet, locally, food prices continue to climb. Astounding. My local chicken producer has again increased prices. It’s a modest increase of 3.33%, but considering it’s the third increase in roughly five months, it gets difficult for the average citizen. How can they justify these regular increases?

Maybe hunting more–along with fishing–might be a temporary solution. Imagine, the humble Carite fish is now $30/lb!

Dave shot three manicou (opossum) and seven iguanas, recently. All with a single shot air rifle. Many hunters cannot equal his productivity, even with a shotgun.

Folks, stash away preps like your life depends on it. It does.

- Trini Funshooter

Iguana, preps, meds rotation

Shot an iguana today. It took five or six shots before finally succumbing. A healthy seven-pounder, about 35 inches from head to tail.

Why do iguanas just sit there while you shoot them repeatedly? It seems counterintuitive to survival.

I gave it to someone who loves that type of meat.



PREPS

Got two more whistles (free, at a childrens party) and immediately put them in the Bug Out Bag (BOB). One more lanyard, and we’ll have one whistle-and-lanyard combo per family member.

Bought a few more tins of pellets, at a good price. Some for target practice; some for the BOB, and the rest for the preps. To that, added mints, vitamins, a knife, pure cocoa butter, ginger tea, plastic forks.

Some of the stashed meds are getting close to expiry date. This is the one ‘downside’ of prepping: you cannot rotate (use and replace) meds out of your stash. It’s a sunk cost. The upside is, it’s there; available for your use in the event of an emergency. Doesn’t matter if there’s a curfew, the pharmacies are closed, the hospitals and health centres are overwhelmed or your insurance doesn’t cover the private nursing homes.

Better to have them at hand and not need them, than need them and not have them.

We have access to medical advice by phone, sms, email and web chat from professionals familiar with our health/medical history. So there would be no self-diagnosis, nor self-prescribed administration of any of the meds (some are quite powerful and effective).

We also keep a personal health record (PHR) for each family member, that is quite detailed and comprehensive; in soft and hard copies.

- Trini Funshooter

More preps, more price increases

Got two more flashlights, with accompanying batteries. Large requires D size batteries, while small uses AAs. Both courtesy a ‘loyalty marketing’ program from our regular grocery.






Another price increase; the humble Ramen noodle soup, normally sold at $2.30/pack is now $4.95! An increase of 115%! This, at a time when some world food (and oil) prices are decreasing. Thankfully, we bought a few packs each month for the past few months––at the lower price––so we can hold off until the price returns to ‘normal’, or give up the food entirely, as it contains only marginal nutrition. It’s only in the preps because of the ease and speed of preparation––3 minutes in boiling water and it’s done. Something hot, quick and tasty.

- Trini Funshooter

Prepared, preparing or not?

Came across two images that graphically illustrates the differences between those who prepare, and those who do not.

One noted local economist, Dr Dhanyshar Mahabir, has predicted “hard times ahead” for the Trinidad & Tobago. With rising double digit inflation, maybe we should spend our dollars on prepping, rather than holding it in bank accounts that pay 1% or 1.5% per annum. I’m eating rice this week that I paid $6/kg over 2 year ago. The same label sells it’s rice at $12.50/kg now. A 108% increase. If I had held on to the cash, instead of prepping, I would only be able to buy less than half the rice with the same money. I’ll continue to ‘invest’ in tangibles, so that my family will be insured against hunger, thirst, medical supply shortages and violent crime.
Every prep purchase is a premium on our family insurance (assurance) policy.

Prepare today. Survive tomorrow’s emergencies.

- Trini Funshooter

Hunt, shop and preps

The hunt this morning was more enjoyable than last time. A few birds downed, with lots of misses. A trek through grass and bush, some taller than us. Lots of razor grass and thorns, but also a large number of birds. From hawks, parrots and ground doves to parakeets, kiskeedees and unidentifieds.

No small game spotted, but fruit trees reconned as potential future stalking sites. Even without game, a great morning spent ‘in the bush’.

Bought a few preps while shopping for baby boy’s upcoming party. Canned foods, juices, Ramen soup, Crix Multigrain crackers, toothpaste, laundry detergent and unexpected gem; a pair of safety/utility gloves that may also work well as shooting gloves. They are made of Spandex, stretchable leather, PVC and composite synthetics. Managed to get it for even less than the sale price. A deal.

Stockpiling food, water, pellets, gun spare parts, tools, pharmaceuticals and bandages (beans, bullets and bandaids) gives me and my family a sense of security in these uncertain times.

With ongoing wars and rumours of wars, tropical storms, hurricanes, violent crime, dynamic political escapades and feuds coupled with food and fuel increases side by side with double digit inflation…
Spending money today on consumables we will use tomorrow seems better than earning 6% in some mutual fund that may or may not be there when I need it. Remember ITL? Summit Finance? If those unfortunate folks had spent more money on preps, then when the companies folded, the impact would have been less devastating.

It doesn’t have to be either or. You can still invest AND prep. Just tweak your asset allocation policy to include tangibles in hand. Remember the adage of “a bird in hand…” being “worth more than two in the bush.”

Prepare for your family’s immediate (and future) needs today.

Gas price increases and pellets

Filled up at the pump the day after Budget reading and immediately felt the new gas price at the pump. Ouch. Must consult mechanic to determine whether a switch from ‘premium’ to ‘super’ would have any adverse effects on the car. The gas station owner recommended the switch along with a bi-monthly dose of fuel injector cleaner.

Bought some pellets today. The much-touted, extra heavy Diabolo Baracuda. A couple tins to start the hunting season. The dealers prices range from $108 to $300 per tin. Having a few thousand pellets feels good. Especially since the prices of most consumables keep increasing almost monthly. Perhaps the local iron and steel industry can look at producing pellets for local and regional markets.
Happy Republic Day to all. I’ll celebrate by taking my family shooting this morning. After a hearty breakfast, a couple hundred pellets downrange can work wonders for the soul.

- Trini Funshooter

Preps, pride

Bought some preps last week. Toothbrushes, chess sets, measuring tape, a bale of toilet paper and a Frisbee. Keeping family morale high during an emergency is almost as important as beans, bullets & bandaids. Games are excellent for this reason. The toothbrushes will go in the charity kit. Measuring tape goes in the tool kit, and you can never have too much TP. Especially if it’s less than $75 for 40 rolls.

AirGunsTT congratulates our returning Olympic athletes and wishes them, their families and coaches the very best. Being a blog that’s ostensibly about air guns, we’d like to especially thank our sole Olympic air pistol athlete, Roger Daniel, for representing us on the world stage, and wish him the best in the COPA 2008 in Santo Domingo this week.

- TF

Food Sale at National Flour Mills

Bought some food at National Flour Mills sale last week. They had some really good prices: one dozen (1 litre) juices = $60, 1 dozen (250 ml) juices = $16, six tins sardines = $18, three boxes (340 gm) cereals = $35. The cost is about one third to half of average supermarket prices. My gratitude to National Flour Mills on this initiative, especially so close to the opening of the school year.

I suggest you buy as much as you can afford, putting some away for emergencies, and charity. Yes, give some to that poor, single-parent family in your neighbourhood. If you don’t know that family, then ask at the hairdressers, or the barbers. They’ll know.

- Trini Funshooter