What did you learn from Cataclysm?

Pthalocy · 2013-11-19T07:24:07.000Z

Bandaids and a bandage roll both, because yeah, quicker-fix options are important. The roll was included in the kit, I’m likely going to switch that out for waterproof medical tape (which I have sofar used for a lot of not-medical stuff) and more gauze patches or something.

And yes, I just have one bottle with several samples of each pill type in one.
Good point regarding the screwdriver redundancy - I might replace it with a small multitool for my bicycle, but only if I can guarantee access to my bicycle. I probably won’t.
Alright, replace matches, noted! I want a ferro rod but haven’t seen them in outdoor goods stores when I’ve looked. I might just order online and save myself the trouble.

The best reasons to have an axe are splitting wood and felling trees.

The weather dips below freezing as early as October in bad years, consistently so by mid-November. It doesn’t get consistently above zero celcius again until Mid April. Felling trees and splitting wood is exactly what I expect to be doing, for that reason. Gotta have fire! My dad gets the fullsize axe (which we already have, at home yes) assuming I have family on my side still, so I’m adjusting for a supplementary role. I’d rather a 2-in-1 hammer/axe combo if I have to be on the move.
I am not that strong and like, haha, 5’4" - a hatchet brings the usefulness of the axe into a weight range I can reasonably wield in self defense (it’s basically a club with a pointy bit at this stage). A hatchet fits in my backpack. I am a noodle of a man. You’re absolutely right in that there are better options for several situations. This one works well for mine. X)

I do enjoy the discussion of usefulness versus ideal items, it’s a good way to review one’s survival gear choices.

Hmm, I’m so used to chemical mixing and measuring to dechlorinate water for my aquarium, I’d rather go with the drops than the might-freeze unit. I’m so damn biased with the fact winter’s on the way right now, I do not like this season. PONCHO TARP I knew there was something I’d forgotten! AAHGHRLGHALRHG THANK YOU.

Gunmagic · 2013-11-19T07:31:49.000Z

I learned a few things.

Military surplus is very useful in a zombie apocalypse. This seems obvious but i collect it for fun and never thought about it.
Sometimes it’s just too hot for clothes.
Forcing zombies to you one at a time is very good.

Shadowchaser · 2013-11-19T12:42:13.000Z

I also learned that if I take apart a flashlight and put it back together a few hundred times I’ll be able to build personal cybernetic installers.

I also learned that if I don’t take apart and put back together a flashlight at least once a day I’ll forget everything I learned.

BadSniper · 2013-11-19T19:24:35.000Z

Gunmagic:

1. Military surplus is very useful in a zombie apocalypse. This seems obvious but i collect it for fun and never thought about it.

John_Candlebury · 2013-11-19T20:56:05.000Z

All pawnshops have historical real Katanas on them. No exeptions

Wuzzy · 2013-11-19T21:48:07.000Z

Cataclysm taught me that BRAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIINNZZZZ …

Gunmagic · 2013-11-20T00:17:07.000Z

BadSniper:

[quote=“Gunmagic, post:43, topic:3983”]1. Military surplus is very useful in a zombie apocalypse. This seems obvious but i collect it for fun and never thought about it.[/quote]I’ve actually thought about buying a lot of military surplus gear for both camping with my Scout troop, or actual survival gear. The only bad part is the fact that everything’s too damn expensive and I’m friggin’ broke.

I know exactly how you feel. I have 12 dollars to my name so that Russian gas mask I’ve been eying for awhile is going to have to wait.

Luissen · 2013-11-20T00:31:32.000Z

depending on what it is, milsurp isn’t the best place to get things. For example MREs that are 1-2 years from expiry, (they are supposed to last around 5-6 years) get sold, as well as plates that have taken a hit (they replace body armor after it gets shot once) and things they don’t use anymore (Steel pot M1 helmets and the like)

Those steel plates make great targets though(22s barely do anything beyond mark the paint)

Gunmagic · 2013-11-20T00:56:35.000Z

Surplus stores near me generally have good stuff. A bit lacking in the body armor department but i have a vest anyway. One thing they have, though, is loads and loads of 101st airborne uniforms. I mean damn i even find these uniforms when I’m just shopping for normal clothes. They have those massive ALICE packs as well.

Jack_Root · 2013-11-20T02:06:59.000Z

Cataclysm taught me that always have a Plan B and C and D and… Yea you get it.

Also build a kit to-go, a kit for home, and a kit for looting.

EkarusRyndren · 2013-11-20T02:12:23.000Z

I’ve learned that there’s a reason those long as fuck busses have the bendy bit in the middle.

Luissen · 2013-11-20T02:19:12.000Z

EkarusRyndren:

I’ve learned that there’s a reason those long as fuck busses have the bendy bit in the middle.

Haha… our area just recently started running those, it’s quite amusing to see them go around corners.

How does the RMCC handle? As far as I can tell, vehicles in Cata rotate around the central point rather than pivoting from wheels

EkarusRyndren · 2013-11-20T02:24:04.000Z

…I’ve actually never been able to use it in a game. XD my laptop can’t run the RMCC. I did manage to drive it for a bit though, it’s so damn long it takes three map tiles for it to turn at speed.

Luissen · 2013-11-20T03:24:03.000Z

hence the “spin out of control and wipe out a cityblock”?

EkarusRyndren · 2013-11-20T03:28:56.000Z

Luissen:

hence the “spin out of control and wipe out a cityblock”?

It’s a lot like a train wreck… You don’t want to see anyone hurt but dear god look at it go…

Pthalocy · 2013-11-20T04:56:09.000Z

Gunmagic:

[quote=“BadSniper, post:45, topic:3983”][quote=“Gunmagic, post:43, topic:3983”]1. Military surplus is very useful in a zombie apocalypse. This seems obvious but i collect it for fun and never thought about it.[/quote]I’ve actually thought about buying a lot of military surplus gear for both camping with my Scout troop, or actual survival gear. The only bad part is the fact that everything’s too damn expensive and I’m friggin’ broke.

I know exactly how you feel. I have 12 dollars to my name so that Russian gas mask I’ve been eying for awhile is going to have to wait.[/quote]

I have one of those, be careful which model you get. I wound up with one that almost certainly has asbestos in the canister filter. Maybe if the world was ending I’d rather risk the asbestos, but yeegh. Get a modern gas mask for survival purposes, get the russian old one for collection reasons instead.

Gunmagic · 2013-11-20T05:10:23.000Z

Yeah, typically the older gas masks had asbestos. But anything after the 60s is safe i believe. The one I’m getting is from the 70s and was used till the end of the cold war so i should be safe, though I’ll probably need a new filter anyway.

Pthalocy · 2013-11-20T05:35:39.000Z

Yeah the laws were ammended at different times in different countries, but anything post-70’s ought to be good. Double check to be sure.

Gunmagic · 2013-11-20T06:00:33.000Z

Yeah I’m sure they don’t. I’ve checked a few different places because asbestos doesn’t sound very fun to breathe.

Orcling · 2013-11-20T07:19:19.000Z

Gunmagic:

Yeah I’m sure they don’t. I’ve checked a few different places because asbestos doesn’t sound very fun to breathe.

It’ll take years for the cancer to kill you, and It’s not even a 100% of gettin’ cancer, actually, It’s way low.

Save yourself a few bucks and get dat asbestos mask.