Preparedness for when the SHTF

[vanoonoo]

the boy scouts among us will be prepared, but are the rest of us ready?

IMPORTANT NOTE: this thread is a resource for those who want to prepare in an old style way for a variety of scenarios - anything from c0-0p running out of milk to a full scale breakdown in society as we know it - if you don't think you can cope with this sort of discussion please don't read any further! it is not meant to alarm or ridicule, just allow open discussion in a frank but sometimes lighthearted way - that said, all constructive view points are welcome so please join in!

please see a great post from GQ about some thoughts of a home without water and what we would need http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...=#post57006775

we've got the storecupboard thread and I can see many people talk about Grab and Go (GAG)/bail/bug out bags (BOB) and getting ready for when the proverbial hits the fan
this is what got me thinking - cross posting sorry but thanks to pugsley

Originally Posted by pugsley29

this guy on ebay seems to have it all sorted regarding food storage and bug out bags, I would get a better water filter though and more meds

Originally Posted by pugsley29

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGgVOlI0KnM

I wondered if it would be good to have a more detailed thread not just about store cupboards for food but for other items, perhaps (to keep it old style), along the lines of air raid shelter/WWII preparedness, with the necessary modern additions

apologies if this has already been done, feel free to merge but I'd rather stay old style if possible to keep it real!
useful links and items
calculator for stores http://www.p2snetwork.co.uk/psclite.html
http://www.readyscotland.org/at-home/create-an-emergency-plan/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamo_torch
http://www.silvacompass.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Collins_GEM_books
http://www.mothprevention.com/clothes-moths/moth-balls.html
http://72hours.org/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Moneyless-Man-Freeconomic-Living/dp/1851687548
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30190857/ - torch
http://www.tesco.com/direct/search-results/results.page?catId=4294967294&searchquery=wind+up& SrchId=4294967294&_requestid=1775502 - tesco wind up stuff
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/torches/uni-com-wind-up-torch/invt/0255402/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG% 2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg% 3D%3D - wilko wind up torch
http://www.millets.co.uk/category/camping/camping-accessories.html?showAll=true millets wind up stuff
cheap portable homemade hobo stove http://www.mungosaysbah.com/2009/02/bushcraft-hobo-wood-stove.html
some other OS threads

Originally Posted by Pink-winged

There are a number of other threads with advice that may help:

Originally Posted by Pink-winged

Store cupboard - in case of emergency
The dangerous wind this week. Self-help
What has this bad weather taught you?
Preparing for Winter
Preparing for winter II
Preparing for winter III
If things get tougher?
Its Tough NOW so how are we coping?
Its STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping now?
Its still tough....and guess what its freezing brrrrr
It May Be Tough for six years. The survival thread.
Times are so tough - the Old Stylers have gone down the pub!
How To Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way!
It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens in 2011
As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way
Not mentioning the T word at all (an 'alternative' tough thread that's still running)
A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues
make do and mend for tougher times
Pink

learning how to forage http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=4050903
having a storecupboard http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=4031559
preparing for winter 4 http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=3519771
http://www.rsgb.org/ radio society of great britain
This is agreat site for cooking gear - http://wildstoves.co.uk/rocket-stoves/
foundanother great thread elsewhere on the site htttp://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...d.php?t=510311
with a flylady updated link http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-sta...sons/prepared/
flood plan http://cdn.environment-agency.gov.uk/geho0709bqpu-e-e.pdf
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37283

Originally Posted by BessieBooBoo

do we need a catchphrase?

Originally Posted by BessieBooBoo

P for protecting our assets
R for ratiation of stock
O for originals - inventive, crazy, eccentric....
T for teaching skills/knowledge to others, teaching ourselves
E for education and awareness of what's going on locally, nationally, globally
C for er, seCret, as in our secret CRAPOLLZ club, secret prepping, 'cetera
T is for 'Told you so!'

[vanoonoo]

for anyone that would like to join our membership clan
known as C.R.A.P R.O.L.L.Z
please message me
(details can be found here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=55959153&postcount=1625 and http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=55960249&postcount=1629)

C.R.A.P R.O.L.L.Z members so far:

(secret password for members only: TOPSECRET OLDSTYLE PARANOID DUNGBEETLE MAD MUTANT ZOMBIE EEGITS. Emergency alternate password: brrraaaaaaiiiiiins backup emergency password: safety pins!)

#13 vanoonoo - founding member and complete loon
# 2 2tonsils - international roving reporter
# 3 ginnyknit - camp stove coffee drinker
# 4 rosieben - head sharpener
# 5 GreyQueen - can do attitude aka Motivator for positive mental attitude and Bus Driver
# 6 Helen2k8 - bunny boiler & string saver
# 7 craigywv + OH - Norn Iron splinter group co-ordinator + OH = On Hanger
# 8 bupster - potential undercover member
# 9 annie123 - head of defence
#10 D&DD - marketing manager
#11 elona - shopkeeper
# 1 prepareathome - baker, premium prepper (hence member #1), topic keeper
#12 meme30 - rough, camp, batty
#14 maryb - Inventory Manager
#15 joolzred - potential slippery member aka marg
#16 Softstuff - riding shotgun
#17 Jojo the Tightfisted - Head of Entertainment
#18 VJsmum - Chief novice milk monitor
#19 wondercollie - highly trained secret medic
#20 Cheapskate - Head of Hunting (family membership co-ordinator)
#21 Sunshine4 - Norn Iron deputy head
#22 valk_scot - Textile Coordinator specialising in Sheep Spinning. KaleKnitter
#23 mrs lds - latter day saint special food storage novice. pantry builder
#24 medusasmummy– Crocheting Caregiver
#25 thriftwizard– lid1 looroller
#26 betony – Fully Appreciative
#27 born blonde – Able Archer
#28 the cake – Potential Prepper
#29 mardatha – soapy scenario supremo
#30 Katkin – Fire starter
#31 Caterina – Vestless Italian Interpreter of Bullsh!t. Head of Hippy Slop and Scone Supplies
#32 westlothianlass – winemaker and sweetie creator
#33 MrsLurcherWalker & Docky- Champion Squirrel Foragers & Cookout Co-ordinator
#34 jeanniefaethecarse - sound advice supremo
#35 Butterfly Brain + OH - foraging fixers
#36 Fifer73 - potential radio hack
#37 SpikyHedgehog - waterproof wearing cage customiser, chief of cable ties and duct tape
#38 fuddle - Queen Quester
#39 Charlylovesphil - water carrier
#40 Dippypud - spanner supervisor
#41 Alison Funnell - co-ordinator of useful things
#42 loopychriss - loopy loyalty list lover
#43 cornishchick - laughing first aider and coffee monitor
#44 The Dragon - twisted firestarter
#45 BigMummaF - CSI CrimeSceneInvestigator/CommunitySingingInstigator
#46 dawemouse - Biscuit Munching Camper Van Driver
#47 PipneyJane - Brain Harvesting Body Counter
#48 lally666young - Soylent Green Supervisor
#49 ALIBOBSY - Chief Chicken Hypnotiser & Choc Brownie Baker
#50 BessieBooBoo - Head Hairy Garden Twine Wrangler with OH Spade Splatterer and Crazy Dog as Hunting Hound
#51 catznine - Chief recycler
#52 Morganarla - Veterinary pro with OH and ratting Jack Russell
#53 katieclampet - zombie expert
#54 lovefullshelves - toilet paper tunneller

[vanoonoo]

oooh yes i much prefer that!

[adelight]

I only consider high probability scenarios such as stranded car, minor flood (where i live anyway), house evacuation due to gas leak, rushing to see injured family etc. So I do have a bag ready containing spare clothes, water, pain killers, money, some food, torch. Maybe a few other bits I can't think of right now. And keep a similar bag in OH's car + blankets and car bits.

[DebtFree2012]

Interesting - how often do you change the bag to refresh it? Kids outgrow clothes, moth eaten, food goes off, water stales, check batteries etc?

I have a car winter bag so may extend..

[sonastin]

As I said on the other thread, surely education is the most important bit. It matters less that you don't have all the kit to hand if you understand how it all works, where it all comes from and what the component parts look like. Rather than going without because you didn't pick it up off the shelf when someone else was making it, learn how to make your own so you can have it when you need it.

A torch will only last as long as you have batteries for it. Understanding what you can rip apart to re-build into a dynamo will let you create your own electricity to use in a torch, fan, heating element or whatever.

[vanoonoo]

debtFree2012 - you could stick a couple of those mothball cedar wood balls in the bag, the main trick, along with rotating your food is to swap out the clothes and rotate them too - monthly or seasonally maybe? I used to keep a bag of clothes and essentials in the car when I travelled for work at short notice quite often and I used to change the bag every time the car got serviced (company car so it was a couple of times a year minimum).

[vanoonoo]

Originally Posted by sonastin

As I said on the other thread, surely education is the most important bit. It matters less that you don't have all the kit to hand if you understand how it all works, where it all comes from and what the component parts look like. Rather than going without because you didn't pick it up off the shelf when someone else was making it, learn how to make your own so you can have it when you need it.

A torch will only last as long as you have batteries for it. Understanding what you can rip apart to re-build into a dynamo will let you create your own electricity to use in a torch, fan, heating element or whatever.

I agree sonastin - I'd like to use this thread as a resource for this sort of thing. The video that made me think of this thread suggested a collins gem book, so links to things like that would be great - I'll get started by editing the first post to add resources.

[j.e.j.]

Originally Posted by sonastin

A torch will only last as long as you have batteries for it.

apropos torches, does anyone know if those wind-up ones are any good? They're expensive in camping shops but they pop up 2nd hand from time to time.

[vanoonoo]

we've got a wind up lantern and that is brilliant and has a long charge from very little winding. I bought a windup torch radio combi for my mum a few years ago from robert dyas and that was really good but had the old style bulb which I am sure now would have been superceded by the LED style ones.

[Popperwell]

Originally Posted by sonastin

As I said on the other thread, surely education is the most important bit. It matters less that you don't have all the kit to hand if you understand how it all works, where it all comes from and what the component parts look like. Rather than going without because you didn't pick it up off the shelf when someone else was making it, learn how to make your own so you can have it when you need it.

A torch will only last as long as you have batteries for it. Understanding what you can rip apart to re-build into a dynamo will let you create your own electricity to use in a torch, fan, heating element or whatever.

Just bought a wind up lcd torch so no batteries required...thinking about some wind up laterns, even a wind up radio.

[Popperwell]

Originally Posted by j.e.j.

apropos torches, does anyone know if those wind-up ones are any good? They're expensive in camping shops but they pop up 2nd hand from time to time.

Mine is...under a fiver at Tesco's...

[JackieO]

I have in the past couple of years bought my DGS Ben a wind-up torch from the local fishing shop as he often goes night fishing and last year my DD bought him a wind-up radio for Christmas and it seems to work very well .saves him a fortune in batteries as well.Often Wilkinsons sell them around Christmas time for about a fiver

[Popperwell]

Someone suggested having two torches(one for upstairs, one for downstairs)at that price it's affordable.

The same might be said of the wind up lanterns(safer than candles and tea lights)but there are mixed feelings about the lanterns and lots of choice mostly at Amazon it would seem. Then again you could use two in a room and carry one as required around with you as they have a handle...

They can be quite bright as many have 12 LED lights...

[kettlenic]

I am not sure I understand why we need to have the bags? natural disaters? car broken down in snow?

[Popperwell]

Originally Posted by kettlenic

I am not sure I understand why we need to have the bags? natural disaters? car broken down in snow?

As I am unlikely to be in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, I would not need one but some items that you have in the bag could be useful at home in an emergency.

[Justamum]

Originally Posted by j.e.j.

apropos torches, does anyone know if those wind-up ones are any good? They're expensive in camping shops but they pop up 2nd hand from time to time.

They're quite good really, and would be ideal for an emergency. I bought my DDs one each for Christmas last year - one was a duck and the other a pony. I got them in Milletts for about £2.50 each (it was on a special offer) so it's worth looking out for them there. They're led lights so very bright.

[j.e.j.]

Thanks, I think I will keep an eye out for a wind-up lantern. I first read about them when reading The Moneyless Man by Mark Boyle. He was living off-grid, and used one at night to read by. Actually the book might be of interest to people on here, not for going 'moneyless' but there's lots of ideas in there for spending as little as possible and living sustainably.

[Popperwell]

Originally Posted by j.e.j.

Thanks, I think I will keep an eye out for a wind-up lantern. I first read about them when reading The Moneyless Man by Mark Boyle. He was living off-grid, and used one at night to read by. Actually the book might be of interest to people on here, not for going 'moneyless' but there's lots of ideas in there for spending as little as possible and living sustainably.

As you'll see they can go from approx £15-£30+and some have better reviews and specifications than others same with wind up radio's...

[Fruball]

I use my wind up lantern as a reading light in winter. The way my finances are atm then I might well be using it even more!

I love the feeling of being reasonably prepped for SHTF scenarios - whether it is economic disaster or being stuck in the car in the snow (happened in 2010 and I spent a very comfortable few hours with snacks and warmth lol)

I have a long way to go though and love threads like this, esp the links to various sites

So, thanks x