Doomsday Preppers: Back to the Stone Age

Photograph by Sharp Entertainment/ James Callanan

Scottsdale, AZ: Tim Ralston trains his children in the use of firearms so they are prepared for doomsday.

In the third installment of Doomsday Preppers: Back to the Stone Age, we meet three preppers who have made big investments for a coming Doomsday. Phoenix dad Tim Ralston has built a business catering to the survival-minded set. Colorado computer programmer Preston White says he has invested more than $40,000 into collecting over 11,000 seeds, and Pat Brabble is stocking up on ammo and alcohol, envisioning a world where the latter is the ultimate bartering tool.

To first meet Tim Ralston (pictured above), you’d think he was the quintessential devoted dad: he loves playing catch with his kids and sharing the day’s news around the family dinner table. But Tim has concerns that might be unusual for a suburban family man. He believes a foreign power may hit America with an EMP attack that disables the electrical grid and throws people into a panic. To prepare, Tim is readying his family to bug out to the Arizona desert, where they will live in a shipping container specially outfitted for survival purposes. He’s also giving his sons arms training, so they can help defend the perimeter of his doomsday compound from invaders. During our filming, a shotgun misfire sent Tim to the hospital, but viewers will see that even that setback has done nothing to deter him from going full-force with his prepping. And since we’re sure you’ll have questions, Tim will also be live-tweeting the premiere tomorrow.

Then you will meet Preston White, a bespectacled computer programmer from Colorado who has spent the last few years investing in a seed bank. Preston believes that there is a media cover-up surrounding Japan’s damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant, and that radiation is currently heading towards America. This radiation, he says, constitutes an extinction level event for all mankind. Preston plans to use his seed bank to feed his community, once radiation hits and food has become contaminated. Together with his friend Shane he shows his pet project: a biospheric tent that mitigates radiation from the outside atmosphere through a series of filters.

If Preston planted all of his seeds, he claims he could fill up hundreds of thousands of acres of land with radiation free food.

You’ll also get to know Pat Brabble, a church-going Southern gentleman with a twist: he believes our country is on the brink of experiencing hyperinflation, which will unleash civil unrest all across the country. To prepare, Pat has readied a secret room in his barn that is full of guns, ammo, and plenty of alcohol. Keep in mind that Pat and his wife don’t drink, but the two believe that in an America gone mad, hard liquor will be the new dollar.

Pat shows some of the items he will barter with in a post apocalyptic world.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 9P et/pt to get the full story.

Comments

Ryan
VA
February 14, 2012, 12:15 am

Thanks for making this awesome show, many of us have been prepping for quite some time and now more will begin too.

http://www.postapocalypticsurvival.com
Kathy Jenkins
Northwest Montana
February 14, 2012, 3:45 am

If the reason for being prepared turns out to be nothing like what they think, do they have a “Plan B”?

What data/facts support their belief(s)?
Deb Johnson
February 14, 2012, 1:55 pm

We are very upset about this show and the lack of balance on the subject. In fact, the producers seem to validate these people which I am afraid will spur them on to more confrontational attitudes and attract other people who are on the edge to join them. In my opinion, this is a sickness akin to hoarding and I demand more of National Geographic than to air this kind of obsessive behavior as a valid lifestyle choice. The para military aspect of each of these families is chilling and I fear will lead to disasterous consequences. National Geographic is giving these people attention and encouragement and so the outcomes will be on their hands…. You have proven to be just another Cable TV channel that will sell it’s soul and scientific credibility for ratings. Shame on you of all entities!! Freaks rule the day and the airwaves… You do them and us all a great disservice and a lot of harm. Shame!
Eldensword
3rd Rock
February 14, 2012, 3:37 pm

Self fulfilling prophesies much? If you say, “I foresee people running in panic today”, then convince your co-workers that the building is on fire, they’ll run right outside in a panic. If you perpetuate that the world is going to end and that there are millions of scared, little morons willing to execute other humans that may be in need as they approach the property…You might get what you wish for. However, it wouldn’t be for any other reason than that person that yelled “fire!” It’s going to ramp up like a stampede because of “Fear TV”. The news and shows like this are such a tremendous waste of energy and talent. Look to the future, its fine if you make it so. While you’re convincing your kids the end is near, I’ll be preparing mine for a bright future. I’ll make sure my boys are fair in their wages to your kids when they’re working for them.
Eldensword
3rd Rock
February 14, 2012, 3:42 pm

And, P.S. – Thanks for letting us know about where you all are and what type of goodies you have available – I’ve punched in the data to my GPS. You won’t see us coming. HAHAHA…I’m kidding! See how it snowballs?? Life is short regardless of how deeply buried in the bunkers you are. Pray for guidance and the truth and you will receive it. Set your self up to commit murder? Set your kids up to be “ready to defend”…you mean commit murder. Over what, exactly? So ridiculous.
Mark Skidgel
Kansas
February 14, 2012, 4:26 pm

Saw the program at a friends house loved it . to bad my cable got shut off.
james t
texas
February 14, 2012, 11:52 pm

I just saw the show and IMHO they are all wasting their time, unless they are having fun while doing this sort of thing or if it is just to get in front of a camera and be seen on tv?????
On Wisconsin
February 15, 2012, 2:27 am

Just caught the episode where Tim Ralston says that there can never be enough guns and ammo. Then he proceeds to shhot of his thumb.

I’ll give the man credit for going back on camera after the shooting, but I gagged a bit every time he referred to it as “the accident”.

There is no such thing as an accidental shooting. There are shootings were someone was targeted and then there are shootings where someone was doing something unsafe.

Mr. Ralston did something incredibly stupid. Thank god he didn’t kill one of his kids.
Conner,Sarah
desert southwest
February 15, 2012, 2:28 am

Economic and social downfall is near. The terminators are here. Beware and prepare.

Sarah
montana cowboy
Southeast Montana
February 15, 2012, 2:31 am

A lot of good Tim’s going to be in a survival situation,
Guy shoot’s his own thumb and then passed out like a bitch.
S. Kelly
Nebraska
February 15, 2012, 3:18 am

Let’s talk about the fact that FEMA tells all Americans to be ready for a disaster by preparing for 3 days to a month with food, water, medical supplies and protection and also to have a plan “B”. So I would much rather be prepared with food and firearms and never need them, than not be prepared for a disaster and watch my family die of starvation and murder. These people aren’t crazy, sick or unstable. Read some European history and pay close attention to Germany, Poland and Russia and the starvation and mass murder that occurred in those countries to the unprepared and unbelieving population. That’s what should frighten people, because history does repeat itself to the unprepared and unbelieving populace.
Michael
United States
February 15, 2012, 3:34 am

Good entertainment! and it can help educate people to being self reliant, regardless of situation. I want a one of Tim’s crowbar/axe/shovel things!
Brooke
Ohio
February 15, 2012, 3:52 am

Isn’t it better to have the preparations and not need them than to need the preparations but not have them?
Scott James
Denver
February 15, 2012, 4:14 am

Tim Ralston is the perfect example as to why there should be an IQ test in order to own a gun. The video of him shooting in the desert mad me cringe. Basic safety violation after safety violation. He was actually clearing his rifle with his child in front and below his field of fire. Unbelievable.
Jeff
PA
February 15, 2012, 4:51 am

Ralston refers to shooting off his own thumb as a “malfunction.” That is ridiculous. Guns do not shoot your thumb off unless your thumb is in the wrong place, the safety is off and you pull the trigger. That is just reckless, not a malfunction. Watch for the scene pictured above. Shortly after this he receives a gun passed to him by his youngest son and pops off shots while his son sits just forward of him. Unreal.
hammer
florida
February 15, 2012, 6:07 am

The one thing I think fails 95% of this country is that they think this great country could never fail. No sense of history and a very short memory will be the downfall! To the lady who thinks there should be a counter point, start ur own show. This is about something that no one does for themselves to survive even 3 days. Are u kidding me? You can have nuts join any organization. Then u can have the major media make it look like what it is not. Remember the T Party???? The fact is if it gets people to prepare a little bit, be able to defend themselves unlike those poor souls in New Orleans, it was worth it. Trust me, the caliber of individuals doing this, no matter how they come across to you can most likely police themselves a whole lot better than you and can definately recognize bad individuals more easily! Mix ideology with reality and u can figure out. One alone and you are in trouble.
gene
usa
February 15, 2012, 6:43 am

I just caught this show. I’ll be laughing for a long time. I would rather live for today than waste my life in a paranoid state. If such a time comes, I want to be at ground zero rather than have to live around these wackos.
Nicole
WA
February 15, 2012, 8:36 am

I just wonder what would have happened to Tim if there wasn’t an EMT conveniently there already? ie his kids trying to give coordinates to 911 when they were out in the middle of nowhere..or what if it was really tshtf situation with no communication or medical? He would have had to amputate with a crovel I guess. ugh.
Gary
Kansas City
February 15, 2012, 3:57 pm

This series would be a joke if it wasn’t such a serious suject. Most true survivalists told me no thanks when they learned producers were looking for crazy wackos who live in caves. EVERYTHING they did is WRONG! See book Infinite Dangers or Web site to learn CORRECT way to prepare to survive anarchy.
Steve
MIchigan
February 15, 2012, 4:46 pm

To all the sheep who don’t think anything can go wrong, just remember the crash of ’29! The next financial meltdown will be much worse and last much longer. Be a boy scout, ALWAYS PREPARED!
p.s. can you say 16 trillion in debt?
MamboBado
TX
February 15, 2012, 5:55 pm

Always a good idea to be prepared for general disaster situations. Haven’t seen all episodes yet, but didn’t see anyone use compact water microfilters for long term hydration needs or mountain bikes for fuel-free transportation, nor heard them mentioned in the expert assessments.
Bill
Under a rock
February 15, 2012, 7:34 pm

Thanks NatGeo for this show.

I am a prepper too. No where near the extent some of the people on the show.

There’s nothing wrong with having an insurance policy on your house, so why is it insane to have preps as an insurance policy on your own survival?

Your house will probably never burn down, we will probably never be hit by an EMP or economic collapse. But I have insurance against those events. And I spent a lot less on a years worth of food than I have spent in my lifetime for Home owners insurance.
RIck Ahern
Phoenix
February 16, 2012, 12:29 am

Did you get a Tax Stamp for all those Molotov Cocktails that the gent in SC constructed? Reminder folks: Molotovs are illegal unless you are a Type 10 FFL with a Type 20 FEL and pay the stamp for EACH of them. Each Molotov could = 10 years and 25k.
KeltecRFB
USA
February 16, 2012, 2:13 am

A good show for introduction, what not to do, and with spurts of good ideas and tools.

Not good for long term survival, survivalblog.com is a great point of reference for TEOTWAKI.

For the skeptical, being prepared for the SHTF also equals self sufficientcy and off the grid. No, I bet you want to remain sheep for the Democratic and Republicans parties, their wealthy buddies, and backing corporations.
mik bro
Mississippi
February 16, 2012, 6:04 am

Am I the only one to notice that the people prepping for earthquakes store the bulk of their food in (breakable) glass containers stored on open shelves? Someone should tell them that when an earthquake happens, there is a lot of shaking going on and that their food will be a huge mess on the floor.
John
Central Texas
February 16, 2012, 5:14 pm

Watching the Show it appears most are not preparing in a sense that they could survive beyond their hoarded supplies limits. I see where the individuals are storing 1000′s gallons of water but no purification mechanisms. Water in itself will not store past 1 year according to FEMA.
Also the canners spark some interest as to how long they feel their canned meats are viable? A nice twist would be to open a 1yr, 2yr, 3yr canning sample of chicken and run test on the food in a lab.
It appears everybody’s idea of survival is to stock enough grocery items to sit out for xxx number of days but the emphasis should be happens when you have no store bought yeast and flour, what happens when every open water source is contaminated either from sulfuric ash or failed nuclear plants melting down.
I am sorry but it seems that most of these peppers’ have a false sense of recovery from what they describe as catastrophic failure of society. A super volcano is going to block sunlight for month’s even years. No crops will grow animal life will become all but extinct. We will have no forage/hunting food sources. EMP and grid failures would also mean many chemical plants would likely fail, nuclear power stations could fail and fallout from either or both could trigger the same nuclear winter effect. If sunlight could not heat the earth for days, months, years, how would they survive? I feel the only event they might be preparing for is not a catastrophic earth changing physical event but more of a social collapse which would send us back to a baseline third world country.
If they are thinking global and catastrophic levels of events then they would really need to consider everything that could fail will fail. They would need self contained underground self supporting social pods. Hydroponics, water capture and purification, waste management, CO2 scrubbers and clean air supplies. I few items from the gas and go are not going to sustain anyone through a catastrophic event.
John
Central Texas
February 16, 2012, 6:08 pm

Sorry for the double Post, the page stuttered on me I guess,

Is their a link to BIO’s on the “SURVIVAL EXPERTS” who judge these preppers?
john
el paso texas
February 16, 2012, 8:17 pm

yes in back to the stone age the shovel machete log spitter and bottle opener which company did he purchase that item from i like to have a few of them for my tool box if some one can post the phone number and company name and address so i can purchase a few for my survival kits
MIchael Rosetti
United States
February 16, 2012, 9:14 pm

“Preppers” is the most comical show on television. I was bored and looking for something amusing to watch and found it…Preppers , First of all I am not sure whether the people on the show realize it but people all over the world have just got their name address and location, how much food they have and water and how nice their gun collection is. I sit and watch and will continue to watch ,as its unbelievable what people give their permission to air. This one guy has a stash of guns that would rival any army post and he shows the location of his secret room with all the safes and guns and food and water and his full name and Natgeo takes no time to hide his location .Im thinking ok…this guy looks like he has maybe 50000 dollars in guns and some good eats.I know where im heading to when it hits the fan.All these people that are showing their little ponds and food production doesn’t think that perhaps a neighbor that doesn’t know them as friends but knows who they are might tip off others about”their” stash…lol Its so amusing I will watch the show till it is taken off the air because I was rolling laughing in the floor. The woman that says she will be ok because she has 100 extra pounds and everyone else will die of starvation but she will be ok…Well that is if someone doesn’t eat her lol..I just read a post from a guy in Monroe La that says do you know what an AK 47 can do to a man…Well,first of all you have to have it attached permanently on your side as you take your bath or go to the bathroom or whatever. People that are starving and want what you have don’t care if you have a bazooka. They will find a way to out maneuver you and take what they feel is the spoils of war or in Preppers case,the spoils of the end of the world. I don’t care how many Ak 47′s you have or what you have if you are outnumbered then you are outnumbered. Its hilarious to think that these people think they even have a chance ,first of all letting everyone know who they are and where they are and what they have is a bad idea…Then there was the same woman boasting of having a 100 extra pounds ,saying they had alternative ways of communication like banging out morris code on boxes and walls . Call me stupid but im not going to be banging morris code to someone ill be blasting 12 guage shells through the walls so the bad guys don’t have to wonder what im saying. She also recommended an alternative language. Her choice of language was Tagalog. She gave a small but humorous example of her attempt at speaking it and it was so funny I almost peed in my pants..What? She doesn’t realize that Tagalog is a well used language and there are many Filipino’s all over in every community? I know what her strategy is .Her hope is to make the Filipinos that attack her for her food and maybe her virtue as she puts it ,start laughing so hard that they fall over dead maybe end of story. I suggest she and her hubby learn a dead language like Aramaic or Latin ,not the national language of the Philippines..Tagalog is spoken in more places in the world than Spanish almost. Its just really amazing these people .Im a happy camper laughing and enjoying others showing off their feats of survival ism. I sit here thinking about the fireman in New York city that threw broken glass out into his hallway and wondering what that was all about. Imagine…you are practicing for the day of doom throwing glass out in the hallway and some little barefoot child walks by and cuts his feet up because of your demo..Geez..The guy is a black man that has a storage unit a few blocks away with extra food in it and is waiting for a super volcano to go off in Yellowstone so he can walk four blocks in a suit with a gas mask and tank on his back to retrieve food and walk back. My thoughts already as he did his practice run is that here is this giant black man walking down the street in a gas mask and tank on his back looking a little threatening and no one calls the cops..I guess that is New York for you.The show is great…is funny ,entertaining and just ironic and mind altering. Im not sure who is funniest ,the people or the experts. One show where it was a meek family that kept bees for honey and trade and crushed apples to make cider and and fuel and grew a garden so large in the back yard they had too much food and they were prepped for anything but they don’t like guns so they didn’t think anyone would bother them because they would gladly invite the community in and feed them and give them shelter and they kept saying ,”oh we don’t believe in guns” we will just be good and the people around us will be good and then a guy about 25 popped in and said ,”oh Ill invite the raiding marauders in and feed them and determine if they are good or not and if they are good Ill let them stay and then if not Ill poison them and slit their throats” lol….so meek and mild ,must be the family that breeds serial killers..You know ,because when they finally catch serial killers they always say ,’oh they were so kind and took out my garbage and they were gentle and so good” ok…well guess we know where the next family of serial killers are starting out from since he announced his intentions. What he doesn’t realize is when people are hungry and trying to survive ,civilization goes out the door. When he invites them in they will put a bullet in head and then eat his prepared food and then sleep in his nice comfy bed since the family that was so prepared didn’t believe in guns but then again..when you are in a situation like that you are pretty outnumbered and if people want what you have ,they don’t care about making friends they want the goods.I have rambled too much here but my thoughts are flying here and there and the humor in all of this is really kind of sad.Yes its great to be prepared but don’t broadcast it…You can’t feed the world and take care of everybody or the world would be without famine now.I have seen first hand how things worked out in a situation. Just remember the news reports of Katrina in New Orleans and what happened in just a week or two. The looting ,the stealing the violence and the community leaders had no way of communicating because they had mothballed their communication devices that used air waves.. That was just a small hurricane and one city and so many people died and the anger and the rampage that went on after just a week or so and the police even abandoning the people and looting themselves and then the marshal law of one parish against others, daring people to come into their parish.. The whole thing went savage really quickly .I still think about it and the short time period it happened and how bad it turned out. Can you imagine a Volcano that covers the United States or major earthquake in the United States or and EMP wave that wipes out the power grid ,or a major flood that covers a lot of the states or anything that last over a few days. My thoughts is when anything like this happens everyone will be calling the government and they will be out to lunch…It makes me shutter to think about it but at least for the moment…Preppers has brought laughter and a release of tension by watching these people and their ideas which in ways are really good things to do but shhhhhhhhhh! don’t tell everybody lol…kind of defeats the purpose of having secret anything or securing your way of life.. Anyway thats my story and im sticking to it. Thanks Natgeo for a nice amusing show and making me laugh.
Kristen Nevils
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
February 17, 2012, 12:58 am

Wow! We’ve been preaching this concept of storing water in your bathtub for 5 years. Thank you National Geographic for finally giving it the proper press! How can anyone be left without a water storage plan after seeing this video, especially people who live in hurricane prone areas! We have videos that teach people how to use these water storage devices http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDMvMigQw4
Jacque Y
Texas
February 17, 2012, 3:22 pm

I love this show. These people are very interesting. Will doomsday come? Maybe, maybe not. To those of you who think it is stupid to prepare, Do you plan for retirement? Do you have all your vaccinations? Do you have fire insurance? There is nothing wrong with preparing for life’s unexpected curve balls, just keep it in perspective and don’t let it run your life.
Callum Midson
United Kingdom
February 17, 2012, 3:41 pm

I love how people are actually preparing themselves lol!
rob
arkansas
February 17, 2012, 4:44 pm

One thing not addressed by Ralston or the “experts” on ep 3: if the disaster Ralston is prepping for is an EMP, then how does he plan to use his jeep to bug out? Fairly large oversight there. Derp.
rob
February 17, 2012, 4:49 pm

And, Michael, what in the world is “morris” code? Is that for cats?
Lillian Nelson
alcalde, NM
February 17, 2012, 9:15 pm

don’t knock it, wet your pants all U like….till you’ve had no gas for over a wk, Winter time,electricity out…phone,water well, no HEAT not working, not enough food, eating cold can goods, having to open w/ knife ..what good is an electric opener….had fire, flood insurance, for 50 yrs. “just in case” guess what……after last winter of 2010/11……..we have learned to stock food we can fix w/out the use of gas & electric. Wise up…….stores here were clean out of heaters, generators, water, batteries, electric blankets……snacks, candles, NO FLUSHING your toliet, didn’t have snow to melt, brushed your teeth w/hardly any water, sure missed taking a BATH, ….so keep on wetting your pants & rolling on the floors……..that was only about a wk. & few days no lights and not all over NM!!!!!!!!!!!
David Irwin
United States
February 18, 2012, 6:19 pm

I gal of water per day per person x a family of 4=4(4 divided x 200 = 50)right? How many months is that almost 2 right?Please correct me if I’m wrong.I’m definitely no mathematician.
Jason
Kansas
February 19, 2012, 4:52 am

Peeps better have fun preparing for the end, because in the end they are prolly going to die. Why? Because the history of man is tribal. People need people and everyone is stronger in numbers. If preppers are in one place as a tribe they will have a better chance at survival. Trying to do it on their own will just make them an extremely attractive target for marauding bands. Moral of the story is join a tribe and plan as a group. Otherwise you and yours will be forced to join the victim tribe. Personally, I think nothing that hasnt happened already isnt going to, unless of course ET’s show up. That too could have already happened.
don
tx
February 20, 2012, 10:31 am

what are all of these people that think it is stupid to prepare do if something happens?it is better to prepare than to be like the grasshopper in aesop’s fables.some of you are saying that it’s not going to happen,but if it does where are you going to be?waiting for the government to rescue you?or will you try to find one of the “idiots” as you call them who might feel sorry for you?it is better to be prepared.even fema suggests having at least 2 weeks supply of food and safe water on hand.so i think if the government is suggesting that you should have more,because you can always eat it if you have it.if i am wrong i can survive,but what will the one’s that think we are stupid eat?
don
tx
February 20, 2012, 3:52 pm

when the person asked about a tax stamp for the molotovs did he stop to think that they were not molotovs.i hate to ruin his story with facts but a molotov has a rag stuffed “in”the bottle.
seth
IL
February 21, 2012, 10:31 pm

this is specifically for the family that is prepareing for a large EMP. first of all if a large EMP comes and knocks out all electronic sources, your car will not work because of the battery and computer that accually runs the vehicle, so you wo’nt even be able to get to your bunker in the desert. Also if you do somehow get into your bunker you said the metal shell will take the electrical impact of the EMP, but also whatever is touching that metal (i.e. your beds, or yourself) willalso be electritried. so i think youve done a good job prepping, but have left out a few obvious faults in your plan.
seth
IL
February 21, 2012, 10:35 pm

also i think all preppers are cowards, if the world is going to come to an end everyone will die sooner or later and people who try to preserve their own life for another ten years or so is pointless anyway. take it like a man and if u die ohh well, if you live then your just prolonging your death for no reason.
Fingers-Crossed
Tampa, FL
February 22, 2012, 2:11 am

I’m curious if the ‘experts’ who commented on Tim Ralston’s Prepping considered the following:
a) Among EMP as a threat, did the Experts consider the threat of Solar Flares? This is a natural occurrence, which is increasing as part of an 11-year cycle (on the incline).
b) Will a conex container provide protection to EMP and/or solar flares? My understanding is that the frequency of which to protect against all the above depends greatly on the atmospheric conditions at time of event. I.e. A microwave protects us humans against the specific frequency of installed magnetron… how would one know if a conex or other Faraday Cage would protect against EMP or Flare at unknown frequency/magnitude/distance? This I ask of the ‘experts’!
Glock Diva
SLC, UT
February 24, 2012, 3:14 am

I loved the show and I’m frankly loving all of the insane comments made by the very people who will among the first to turn on their fellow Americans who have lived in this provident manner.
I think that many of them though have their priorities misrepresented on the show (we all know editing rules, after all)
I’ve found Kellene Bishop’s site, PreparednessPro.com to be the ONLY one that addresses all 10 areas of preparedness from a balanced and priority-driven perspective. In fact, she’s the only site I read that doesn’t cave in to the gloom and doom aspect. There’s a big difference between a “survivalist” mentality and one of a “prepper.”
John
February 24, 2012, 8:10 pm

Thanks NatGeo for showing these folks and their attempts. For those of you laughing at the preppers, go ahead. Hopefully you’re right and we (the preppers) are wrong. But, the math is against you, the world can’t continue to support the rising billions of humans. Nobody can predict the cause of the collapse. It could be a series of disasters. Who knows for sure. It really doesn’t matter. When humanity is weakened, the next disaster will start the snowball. When/if the collapse happens, those who are in a group, can get organized, and are lucky will survive. But luck favors the prepared. I for one will keep prepping.
Susan
Texas
February 26, 2012, 4:28 am

You know all you people who are making fun of the “peppers” all I have to say is good, you’ll be one of the ones killing each other off and those of us who have prepared will wait out the storm. I don’t personally care so much about myself but I have kids and grand kids and so I prepare for them.. You can laugh yourself right into the grave. As for the show, thank you very much for making this show, it helps those of us who are prepared and have been for a while now, to be ready for whatever may come, to know there will be others ready to survive whatever God has in store for us.
Survivor Mike
NJ
February 26, 2012, 2:34 pm

Agree with John – huge thanks for bringing preppers to the forefront. A lot of people doing a lot of good work preparing their families for an inevitable downturn.

On my site, we’ve been documenting the journey of one suburban dad preparing his family for when the SHTF.

http://www.thehomeforsurvival.com
A. Canton
Florida
February 26, 2012, 7:45 pm

To the NYC firefighter who is dependent upon edged weapons for protection & survival in NYC, I’d like to mention to him that while it is difficult to obtain a handgun legally in NYC, he can apply for a “home/range permit”. It will be granted after some 4-6 months. You simply must NOT assume the “unstoppable pistolaro” mind-set that so many of my students do. You must train regularly, learn to maintain & repair your weapons, and make certain that other members of your family train with you.
Also, if you drive 1/2 hour to either L.I. or Westchester, do so and purchase a Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun. Again, learn from a reputable instructor on utilization, maintenance, and repair. There is no more intimidating and effective firearm than a shotgun…and legal to own in NYC.
http://www.angelfire.com/biz7/troopgear/carrysmith.html
Rich Monk
United States
February 29, 2012, 4:52 am

Only an idiot, and low I.Q. fool would tell anybody what they have planned for survival!
Leslie Wilson
Oakdale, Ca 95361
February 29, 2012, 9:17 am

I am very interested in Tim Ralston’s invention “The Crowbull” (not sure on spelling). How can I get 1 or 2? Please let me know please. softhanded1@yahoo.com. Thank you.
Leslie Wilson
Modog
Connecticut
February 29, 2012, 1:58 pm

Ok, some of the scenarios postulated in the episodes are a bit extreme. But think for a moment of the very recent and very real disasters that we may have all recently suffered at least one or more of right here in the USA. Katrina ( a disaster on many levels), NY 911 Terror, Wildfires in the West, Major Droughts, Blizzards in the Northeast, Huge Floods in the Mid-West, Earthquakes, a Financial Crisis, Major Prolonged Power Outages….etc. etc. etc. These all happened since 2000. How can anyone scoff at the people portrayed in the Nat Geo episodes. Are they really just over-reacting paranoids?….yes, but perhaps for good reason. My parents lived through the Great Depression and ever since kept a food stockpile.

Use your head so you don’t lose your head.
Tom M
Ohio
February 29, 2012, 2:08 pm

I love the show and I think some of the preppers are great ideas, but the others are crazy. It only makes sense to have at least 2 months supply of food and water in case of power outage, or anything that might stop you from getting to the store. As for weapons I think it is a good idea to have but as long as you know how to properly use them and store them from kids. Just remember you shouldn’t need them till you have an emergency. If I lived in Texas I would make sure I kept it where a tornado couldn’t get to it. That’s all and I hope that the world doesn’t come to this. God bless!
jamesk9219
Montana
February 29, 2012, 6:35 pm

On the back to the stone age episode, I agree totally with the EMP threat. One thing we must take note of, is the Jeep he used in the bug out procedure. I believe the on board computer otherwise known as an ecm/pcm would be disabled in an emp event. This would leave one unable to move out. We must look to an earlier mode of transport, with an ignition system comprised of breaker points, or non computerized diesel, which would be wiser as one can make their own bio-fuel.
Karen
central CA
March 2, 2012, 1:29 pm

Posters keep saying “what will they do if the world does not end”. My guess is “go on about their lives”. Prepping does not have to limit you – I have a water purification system and a job with 401k. Personally, I think the odds of a serious economic collapse are around 5%… so i invest most money and spend only about 5% in preps like a bug out bag and alternate lighting and energy. It is a hedge. Most preppers are not stupid and wishing for an apocalypse.

I want to be able to take care of myself and my loved ones —- instead of depending on the government in a disaster. Did anyone here see Contagion? I thought it was a more realistic scenario than most that the Doomsday Preppers fear.
William
TX
March 3, 2012, 9:19 pm

KeltecRFB, I agree, some good points on what to do and what NOT to do. I hope that those of us who realize the need for prepping will be able to discern the good from the bad.

Although, some episodes make preppers look like fanatical nutcases, the more common prepper is just as boring and average as the next guy. We’ve just decided to take out some “insurance” against a “possible” threat or scenario.

You do have house insurance don’t you? I’m sure you don’t want your house to burn down. The same goes with auto, life and health insurance. No one wants to actually USE insurance, but man, it’s good to have it when you need it.

I like the attitude that Jack Spirko of TheSurvivalPodcast.com has. His motto is; “Helping you live a better life, if times get tough, or even if they don’t.”

Does prepping bog you down or enhance your life? I choose to see the positives, learn new skills and have peace of mind while prepping. I hope many others can do the same.

William
http://AwareAndPrepared.com
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March 5, 2012, 8:24 pm

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Tim
IOWA
March 6, 2012, 9:54 pm

You can tell by reading the comments who has been through a disaster directly or indirectly via friends or family and those who beleive bad things only happen to someone else. They do show some extreme examples on the show but I don,t know anyone who doesn’t prep to some degree. If you fill up your gas tank before prices rise you might be a prepper. If you fold up the lawn chairs,take down the umbrella and bring in the garbage cans before a wind storm you might be a prepper. Insurance,savings,retirement accounts,fire alarms,lock doors,carry pepper spray to bad your a prepper to. Now do you feel crazy or different in anyway. How extreme your prepping becomes is tied to lifes experiences and how you react to them. My grandparents lived through the depression. When they got married they moved to a small farm not because they wanted to be farmers infact they both worked in town. But so they could always feed their family in bad times. I would guess my grandmother always had at least a years worth of canned,frozen,dried and root cellared food for the whole extended family. She would send food home with you when ever you stop by so she could rotate her stock nothing ever went to waste. NO ONE EVER CALLED THEM CRAZY.
Linda
Arkansas
March 8, 2012, 2:43 am

A few years ago we had a horrific ice storm. No power, no heat, no cooking, no water from the well. We live in a home very isolated, and absolutely not get out. My husband (who has since passed away) was on oxygen and in a hospital bed at home. I managed to cook some out on the freezing deck with my charcoal grill. We survived thanks to four wheel drives owned by the forestry service loaned to our little fire department and a very brave young man who usually delivered my husbands oxygen. They brought us cases of water, FEMA meals, and a case few cases of Spam. Not to mention extra oxygen for my husband. This lasted nearly two weeks before the power company got to us to fix all the downed lines. NEVER AGAIN. It was a real wake-up call. What if something happens where there is a break-down in ability of the government resources to help us? We will be on our own. I see nothing wrong in being prepared for the unknown. My concern is not just for natural disasters, but also for things like the pandemics that happen routinely on this earth. My Great-Grandmother died in the Spanish Flu epidemic. I consider my location a good thing now. Isolated. Unseen from roads, etc. And, high up with good views. I have a food store, including some I found at a salvage place that heat themselves. I always keep extra water, buying some each month. I rotate it. As I rotate foods. I now have a generator. I have solar powered lights and radio, as well a a stockpile of batteries, and lights. I keep many candles. I garden. NO ONE knows what I have. That is the one thing I have against the show’s participants, allowing others to know where they are, etc. My best friend has also put up lots of foods etc. If anything happens, she and family will know they can come up here. We will manage. I think NOT having some plan is the height of folly. If we don’t make it, so be it. But, we will have tried.
amer williams
ga
March 15, 2012, 3:25 pm

I can see get some stuff but let eveybody to see ti is dum if the would ends I bet you the one that hold the camra are going to be the first there going thought there door
Randal
Texas
March 22, 2012, 2:24 am

Master Prepper shoots himself in the hand…..hilarious. He wont outlast those in the oldfolks home.
Dave Mohr
South Dakota
March 22, 2012, 9:29 pm

Mr Ralston ( EMP guy) obviously didn’t consider the fact that an EMP event would disable his late model Jeep tow vehicle. Electronic fuel injection, electronic ignition, etc. Very few (if any) late model vehicles are EMP hardened. Also, most recent commo equipment would suffer a similar fate without a grounded Faraday shield (metal box) protecting it. Food for thought.
Rich
April 4, 2012, 7:41 am

Maybe these people know something that we don’t take a look at the first three months of 2012. This is an eye opener when you consider the big picture. Something is going on,
http://www.educatinghumanity.com/2012/03/2012-first-three-months-are-predictions.html
king neece
US
April 21, 2012, 10:46 am

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Your preparations look silly
the city and the woods
April 24, 2012, 10:40 pm

Watching “Doomsday Preppers” for the first time. These people barricade themselves with guns and LOTS of non-perishable and/or valuable goods on their property, some times at hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of investment. All I can think is, if the doo-doo really hits the fan, trained snipers and other real deal experts are going to take these people out in short order and live like kings.
Owl
Utah
April 29, 2012, 10:32 pm

Love “Doomsday Preppers”? Check out NCG’s special documentary “Training For the Apocalypse” Monday night at 10pm E/P. http://www.finaltraining.org.
Mary
San Diego, Ca.
May 1, 2012, 7:43 pm

as I read the blogs from the folks, everyone seems to be calm and if anyone is really afraid of what might happen, I don’t see it. being calm and talking to others about what might or might not happen, it just seems as tho everyone has pretty much taking it all in stride for what will be, will be and we are all survivors its in our DNA as human beings. I think one being prepared as much as one can be without loosing our heads is what will make or break us all. being alert and aware is always better than being blasae or making up our minds and belieiving life is fine and nothing to worry about is just as bad as over doing it, being a happy medium is by far better than being over board either way. as long as we do something in moderation of preparing for whatever is going to happen and if we are able to be prepared we are set for we take care and fix what we can and accept what we are not able to fix and just move on and continue to live. I watched a movie and after all the credits was a phrase, “To live is to dream, to die, is to awaken.” so maybe this life we are living is only but a dream and when our time comes to die, maybe then is when we will wake up and live our real lives…
Lyle & Linda
IL
May 9, 2012, 1:18 am

I love this show, and I hope it comes back! I can everything!
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May 12, 2012, 6:25 pm

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Cayd
texas
May 20, 2012, 8:05 pm

The old twilight zone episode called the shelter is a good example of what you people who make fun of preppers may look like one day.I hope nothing ever happens but at least Preppers will be able to take care of their familys without begging others for food or water.
Fred S.
OFallon,Missouri
May 27, 2012, 2:40 pm

I love this program! I saw Tim Ralstons in Back to the Stoneage program and would like to purchase this tool (Croball?). How can I get in touch with him and purchase and promote this item?
Thanks
Fred S.
Roger R S
Europe
September 26, 2012, 12:43 pm

Great fun watching this program. Mr Ralston is afraid of a electromagnetic pulse will destroy the electrical grid and “throw him back to the stone age” as he says.
Very funny seeing how Mr Ralston chopping a pig in in half using a sharp edge spade and then head out to the desert.
I really do not think a modern car would start because the electromagnetic pulse would have killed the electrics, so he better plan on walking.
I can not see him use his electric trolley either since the electromagnetic pulse would have killed that as well.
The fun really start out in the desert when Mr Ralston almost amputate his own thumb trying to shoot it off.

On top of that when the tough gets going Mr Ralston gets sleeping. he he..

I know i should not laugh but,,, but,,,

Anyway he seems like a nice fellow

I have never heard of any European preppers so is there any here?
Roger R S
Europe
September 26, 2012, 12:53 pm

Forgot to say that it is always very entertaining to watch grown men rolling around playing Rambo
Roger R S
Europe
September 26, 2012, 1:15 pm

HEARD AFTER EMP ATTACK:

Okay Warriors, let’s go to Tim’s house and take his food & water. He’s got a year’s worth! I don’t think he can hold us off with his crovel.
George Dewey
usa
November 5, 2012, 7:26 pm

I am sick of waiting, I wish whatever would happen right now so all the unprepared ones can be caught with their pants down. When they come knocking for help I’ll direct them to washington with a size 10 jammed in their rear-end!
Doug
Saratoga Springs, New York
November 14, 2012, 4:12 pm

How does one who is dependant on medication to live prepare for the apocalyps? Any ideas would be appreciated. It used to be easy to build up a small stockpile of prescription medication, but now Medicare and insurance cxompanies have tighhtened up and stockpiling is no longer possible.
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January 29, 3:06 am

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Trevor
February 9, 9:42 pm

While Ill agree to an extent that being prepared is just common sense I think that the majority of people on these shows and websites are just looking for any excuse they can to stockpile guns and ammo . The majority of Preppers seem way more interested in killing others than saving themselves from what I have seen . Why not have a plan to help others get the world back on track and work together like villagers used to do before corporations and greed took over the world ? I would rather see prepping take the form of people learning needed skills to survive than just hiding out fondling their guns waiting for the bogeyman to come .