Preparedness for when

jk0

nuatha wrote: »

Rely on the store cupboard and freezers.
I agree there might be major panic if the banking system went down, but whether that would translate to panic buying - it amazes me how many people carry very little or no cash. I've seen the ATM network go down in my town and supermarkets not being able to process cards, lots of shoppers who couldn't even pay for a hand basket shop.

Speaking of banking system failures, the US government are heading towards another credit crisis

Although I told her to keep some cash at home, my mother is so conditioned by the confidence that she could always write people cheques, she won't do it!

That BBC story about the US debt ceiling ignores the fact that the latest US debt figure is the same as the one three months previously. (They stopped counting new debts when the figure got near the 'debt ceiling'.)

[Deleted User]

I know it's been said before but save coins if you can, shops run out of change and notes might be impossible to use in a prolonged period of disruption whereas 20p, 50p £1 and £2 coins along with some copper change might mean the difference between someone being willing to trade and you having to go without? Just a thought, Cheers Lyn xxx.

BessieBooBoo

mardatha wrote: »

Bessie, my online pal is a Navajo and they sometimes catch plague - it's endemic in the wee rodents on the reservation. Think they called prairie dogs.

Hello Mar

I didn't realise that - it sounds scary, but, at least it seems to be treatable and they are well aware of it.

I think it's the mental picture it conjures up just by the name... Must stop watching these TEOTWAWKI films!

OH is on the look out for reasonably priced face masks, although I am doubtful the sort he is considering (decorators dust masks) would really make a lot of difference in a pandemic...?

I would make the assumption that the PTB would ask people to stay home and not make unnecessary journeys e.g. as they do for bad snowstorms. If they could spare the time before rushing to their bunkers!

BBB

GreyQueen

Afternoon all.

Just waiting for SG to get her driving shoes on then we're nipping to my lottie in her car; she'd heard that there's been a spate of break-ins of sheds and I'm * ETA*

Back. My shed unmolested and picked a handful of beans whilst I was there. Traffic is insane.

Re cooking on portable gas stove in flats; I have one of those butane canister stoves in the plastic case and would use it indoors (have used it as a trial) right by an open window if I had to. I could also cook outside semi-undercover on a walkway. I keep the stove and the cylinders in an outer shed not attached to the flats.

Bob, thanks for the info that flu virus can travel in water; this wasn't something I knew and it's a scary thought indeed. I'm wondering if it would stand up to the usual Miltons sterilisation?

One of the things I will do in the next day or so is thoroughly scrub and then sterilise and fill my new water carrier. When and if the water goes off, it will be with no warning and there won't be time to fill containers then.

One of the things which struck me as realistic in the book Last Light was that the immediate crisis was lack of water. Hunger is miserable but it's the lack of water which would get you long before that.

I've put my prescription in today. The time line is 48 hours for the GP to sign off on it, then take it to the pharmacy attached to the GP practice. They don't keep my meds in stock, so they will likely have no more than 10% of my requirements. They will be able to get the rest 24 hours later. So, getting my scrip filled takes 3 visits and 70 hours.

And that is with a fully-functional NHS, economy as normal and distribution systems working. This is why I aim to have plenty of the meds by me.

Re what would happen if the ATMs were down. In a crisis, a government could declare an extended "bank holiday" and keep banks closed for days. ATMs would quickly empty. If there was global disruption to the extent that BACS payments and debit/ credit cards and other cashless payments for goods wouldn't work, some stores would probably close their doors.

I would expect that there would be more flexibility from independant retailers. If you're in your own small shop and I'm there with some crisp notes, will you turn me away? A till clerk on NMW won't be motivated in the same way as an independant business owner.

I've already been in supermarkets where the card payment function has failed and only customers with cash were getting served. I always pay cash anyway.

If the currency collapses into hyperinflation we are in very scary territory indeed. You would be wise to turn the fast depreciating currency into tangible goods asap.

If it all goes further to the dogs, you may be trading your gold jewellery for bread.

BessieBooBoo

ArthriticOldThing wrote: »

I was just enquiring generally as had come across the term. From reading on here I think I need to have a grab bag for unexpected hospital visits mainly. I wold be unable to travel far because of mobility problems and I don't have private transport.

If there was any sort of long term system collapse I would not survive in any case as I rely on medication to keep me alive. So I plan to prep for more short term SHTF situation such as very bad winters, transport breakdowns, and power shortages. Do you think that will be ok?

I have always kept 'in case of' medical supplies and top up/renew on a regular basis. I intend to get torches & batteries and more candles and hope to learn more from you wonderful people on here.

Hello AOT

Course it will be ok. We all prep for different reasons. No-one's reasons are any less valid than the next.

And you could be helping someone with exactly the same motivation as yourself, who might be too shy to ask.

There's also this site which might give you some more ideas, though might be too expensive for a lot of us, still you can use it as a template to create your own:

http://72hours.org/

Don't forget to check out the first page of this thread, Vanoonoo has set up a useful index of sites which cover lots of ground.

HTH

BBB

GreyQueen

Mrs LW, I collect £1 and £2 coins. I keep the £1 in a lipstick case (with the mirror strip pulled off so it will close) which I got for 20p at a chazzer. One lipstick case holds £25 in £1 coins.

I also keep £2 coins in a 35mm film canister. This keeps them compact and very portable. It's also great if I'm shopping at bootfairs or somewhere I'll make lots of small purchases.

ETA check out this new toy: http://www.flightradar24.com/#34.62,34.27/6?&_suid=1377626028046034129651057033866

ginnyknit

I have always wondered how the cotton masks surgeons wear can possibly make a difference, is it just to keep the droplets of water we expel from landing on people as they operate etc?

Aot, I try to order meds a couple of days early so I can be a few ahead in stock for emergencies. A lot of hubbys meds have a long shelf life but his fentanyl patches are a problem as they are closely monitored. The only way I can get ahead with those is if he changes strength and I have a few of the smaller ones left.

Sounds like the USA is really heading up stream with no paddle, get prepping guys, every extra tin or packet will keep you going and also save a few pennies the way prices are going up and up. Not being a scaremonger just sensible, we dont know what this flipping government will throw at us next.

GreyQueen

You're on the money. They're gagging for it. SG asked me an hour or so ago if I knew parliament had been recalled and I told her that I didn't but they'll vote for war. Too many people in power figure they have something to gain.

Getting older is depressing in a way; you can so clearly see the strings that it's like watching a Th*nderbirds episode.

Let's see, shall we stand up and admit that we are in worse debt than Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal and Eire or shall we join in the USA hiding their rotted-out economy by prosecuting a war overseas to distract attention?

Watch this carefully, fellow preppers; if the supply of oil and natural gas from the middle east is disrupted or ended, we will be in a world of hurt here in the UK, especially if a certain russian president orders the taps turned off over there.

Look behind the curtain and always ask yourself Cui bono? (to whose benefit).

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

I keep the stove and the cylinders in an outer shed not attached to the flats.

In truth, the cylinders pose no greater risk, than the various aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant, air freshener. etc) which are present in most every home.

I'm wondering if it would stand up to the usual Miltons sterilisation?

Bleach is a better option for water sterilisation.

More economical too.

GreyQueen

This is true but Milton has a longer shelf life than bleach. Bleach loses it's effectiveness after a year, even unopened, whereas Milton has a BB 2 + years ahead.

When I was in Wilkos a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't see an option for a thick bleach which didn't have perfumes added. You don't want the perfumed stuff to sterilise drinking water with.

SuperGran was a career nurse and had a big chunk of that running the nursing side of theatres as the sister in charge. She can tell some tales. She keeps a very clean home and is a big fan of thick bleach. She was also a guide mistress for decades and knows more than a bit about what is being called bushcraft in these times. Good woman to have as a friend.

My new (to me) water carrier is now filled and I'm treating it as if "heavily contaminated" according to Milton's website instructions. This means 2 half-caps of Milton per 5 litres of water, overnight standing, drain then rinse. I have the cap which has a turny on/ off thing in a solution all of its own and will clean the innards out with a very fine bottlebrush thingy which I have for a hydration pack.

This is the time to do these things, we don't want to be caught unprepared and accidentally poisoning ourselves when we need to use stored water in a crisis.

I will be adding this container to the secret stash and changing the water out at 3 monthly intervals.