Tips to survive the end of the world

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The world won't really "end". After all, it survived dinosaurs, great floods, earthquakes, volcanoes and disco. There is nothing this place cannot handle.

However, there are massive setbacks which can happen and which will feel like the end of the world. If every grocery store closed, power was shut off, water was no longer coming from the tap and the government ceased functioning, it would be the end of many people's world.

Here are a few tips for surviving the end of the world.

Stock food now. This means shelf stable, canned, packaged and dry food. Most of this can from your grocery store, others from specialty stores like Nitro-Pak (see Mountain House link on right). Stock months if not years worth of food. Many food products, like sugar and salt, can last for decades if stored properly.

But don't stop there. Stock seeds, hand tools, grow some fruit trees and put in raised beds on your property to grow more food.

Store water now. You can fill 2 liter soda bottles or buy food grade water storage barrels on line. Fill them with tap water, add a little bleach and rotate every six months or so.

But don't stop there. Purchase a high quality water filter system like a Katdyn. Get extra cartridges for the filter. Buy extra bleach for treating water. And a system for boiling water be it a camp stove or hot plate and battery setup.

And dig a well on your property. I am a big fan of sand point wells where possible. A rain water catchment system and cistern can also be a good choice.

Get alternate power. Solar panels and deep cycle batteries come in all sizes. From a single 5 watt panel and 12 volt rechargeable battery to a bank of 85 watt panels and room of deep cycle batteries.

A generator is useful for occasional use, but drinks a great deal of fuel and is noisy. Don't let the neighbors know you have juice!

If need be, a stationary bike with an alternator and car batteries (ala Soylent Green)) works in a pinch.

Don't forget extra batteries of different sizes such as AA, AAA, D and C!

Get fuel now. Propane for the grill. Gasoline for the car. Camp stove cartridges.

Be safe first. Store properly and only store what you can store safely. Make sense?

Stockpile the things you need and cannot produce. That means needles, thread and cloth for clothing and repairs. Nails, screws, tape and glue. Wood for burning and for building. Glass. Storage jars and buckets. Every sort of cleaner, disinfectant, and chemical used around the house.

Prepare for safety. Arms and ammunition are a must. Purchase and practice with what you know. Reinforce the home or retreat. Doors, locks, window grates or bars. Burglar alarms will be useless as nobody will come to help you.

Buy extra medical supplies. Aspirin and extra eyeglasses come first. Followed by over the counter medicines and bandages. Take as many first aid and medical courses as allowed.

Prepare your mind, heart and soul to survive and succeed in a new world. Survival is not for the fittest (although good physical fitness is mandatory - start working out and dieting now), but for those that adapt. Adapting to change is the sign of a survivor in the world after it ends. Get your faith in order - you are going to need it.

Your tips to survive the end of the world. It is not impossible, only getting started is the roadblock most of you will face.