Just starting myself.  Check in (if you want).  Maybe get some discussion going about our island environment and whatever preparations you have done.

I don't have that much survival equipment, but I do have a .22 should I need to catch small animals. I also have a dull knife to skin and gut them with.

Luckily we live in Hawaii where we don't have to deal with snow or surviving through horrible weather.

What do you have or recommend getting?

  Jaydog
 pineapplemouse here, I'm a bit of both preparer/survivalist.  Been into gathering bits and pieces over the past 20yrs. A lot of reading and seeing if methods work. Prepping  so I don't end up like  Haiti .

I keep stores of chlorinated water and bottled beer on hand.  Plenty of canned food and a propane grill.  Guns and ammo go without saying.  I could last a week without power or service no problem.  2 weeks, if I was careful with the water. I'm definitely not prepared for the end of civilization, but reasonably prepared for a hiccup.

I've got a stockpile of canned goods enough to last a few weeks if eaten sparingly.  I've got a propane stove and lamp.  I've got one of those hand-crank flashlights so batteries won't be too much of an issue if I run out for my main 4D LED maglite.  My main concern would be a fresh water supply.  Is it best to just stock up on water or to have some sort of purification method?  What is the best way to purify water if there is no tap water to use as a source? 

In regards to water, filter it for the big stuff and then boil it to kill the biological stuff.  There's also the purification tablets and another method is the drop of bleach(straight...not the scented or for color kind).  I'll have to look up the ratio.

A friend told me he fills his bathtub full of water when a hurricane is imminent. 

I've heard really good things about those water filetration straws, I haven't used them yet and haven't heard anything about one particular brand being better than another, but I do hear good general comments. The great thing about them is that they are light, compact, and relatively cheap. I'll probably picking up some of these to get ready for an emergency.

Here's something to think about...

After the wake of the Haiti earthquake, I ask my wife, "so what's our plan if an (insert natural disaster here) while we are at work?  Take an earthquake, for instance, where will we meet and how long do we stay before heading back home to take care of our 3 year old and 1 year old?  We both work in town and luckily within 1/2 mile of each other.  I had to consult the tsunami evacuation zones to make sure it wouldn't be under water in the event of a tsunami. 

Then I ask her, "so how will you get home if both our vehicles are "stuck" in the parking lot?" 
Her answer..."wait till the city puts together a plan to bus us out of there. "     Then I begin to explain to her that it may take several hours for the city to coordinate an evacuation plan...and then many more hours to wait if everyone else in downtown is in the same line.  I suggested she put a semi-old pair of shoes in her office as well as a Bug Out Bag mostly consisting of meal replacement bars and a first aid kit.  We may have to hike it home.  Which brings me to the last bit...an up to date map to stuff in the bag.

Hope this helps with your planning.

Here's something to think about...

After the wake of the Haiti earthquake, I ask my wife, "so what's our plan if an (insert natural disaster here) while we are at work?  Take an earthquake, for instance, where will we meet and how long do we stay before heading back home to take care of our 3 year old and 1 year old?  We both work in town and luckily within 1/2 mile of each other.  I had to consult the tsunami evacuation zones to make sure it wouldn't be under water in the event of a tsunami. 

Then I ask her, "so how will you get home if both our vehicles are "stuck" in the parking lot?" 
Her answer..."wait till the city puts together a plan to bus us out of there. "     Then I begin to explain to her that it may take several hours for the city to coordinate an evacuation plan...and then many more hours to wait if everyone else in downtown is in the same line.  I suggested she put a semi-old pair of shoes in her office as well as a Bug Out Bag mostly consisting of meal replacement bars and a first aid kit.  We may have to hike it home.  Which brings me to the last bit...an up to date map to stuff in the bag.

Hope this helps with your planning.

Good action item!  My preparations have mostly centered on being home when the hard times hit, but I shouldn't assume that.  When the earthquake hit, I was at the shooting range getting ready to conduct class!  I should work on bug out bags, not only for the respective offices, but for each vehicle.

That's a very good idea.  I have energy bars and the occasional bottled water rolling around in my trunk somewhere, but having it all packed and ready to go in a backpack with a map sounds like a much better idea.  Anybody else carry a flashlight in their car? 

I think I need to get a shopping list together

I think I need to get a shopping list together

Here's a little "light" reading  .  http://www.survivalblog.com/newbies.html

Simpler terms...beans, bullets, & band-aids...then add as you see fit.

canned food and a manual can opener and flashlights.  thats all i have for now. 

Don't forget the knife, the most important tool for survival.

now, now, Redtail, we all know that the MOST IMPORTANT tool in a survival situation is your WILL TO LIVE. No fancy straw or super duper combo knife is gonna give that to you, you gotta find it yourself. the best way to find it yourself Jaydawg, is to make that trek with your wife, kids, and gear...that should get your mind in the right place. Maybe you decide it would be smarter to shelter in place than risk it on foot with the fam., or maybe not.

I dont claim to be a survival guru, though imho hawaii is a good place to be in a shtf situation.

oh yea, if you wanna see a great survival movie, again imho the most realistic, check out 'The Road'.

I watched 'The Road' and it looks like when SHTF and you are one of the last people left alive on earth, everyone will be crazy!!! And you can't trust anyone.

now, now, Redtail, we all know that the MOST IMPORTANT tool in a survival situation is your WILL TO LIVE

Of course, it is.  I'm talking about the material stuff.

Yea "the Road" is a nutz movie...no super hero savior of humanity or do-gooder justice bringer that takes on swarms of baddies unscathed, just a grim survival reality of people eating people cuz ain't nuthin' else left!!  I personally dont have the guts to eat another human being, even in that sit. i would continue to scavenge, hunt, fish, search homes, etc.

As far as gear goes my top three picks would be 1. a large fixed blade knife, 2. a canteen or 2 liter bottle or something for carrying water, 3. good boots

Of course i could load up a back pack or an entire convoy of great survival gear, but as far as essentials go, these are my top three.

Denzel Washington's new flick is pretty good if you are gun guy.  Book of Eli.

History Channel had a good one... After Armageddon or something like that.  I'll try to find it on youtube.

We'll see what glaring defects I have today if/when the tsunami comes.