Preparedness for when

nuatha

Perplexed_Pineapple wrote: »

I completely agree, but while you can carry far more weight on your back than your front (I guess because packs on the chest compress the ribs and make the work of breathing greater) carrying some weight at the front balances things better and reduces stress on the lower back. If you practice regularly so your spine is conditioned to carrying a rucksack that probably wouldn't matter but few of us have the time to do that so better weight distribution would help massively in improving the work of covering a distance.

When I was a serious backpacker, I regularly carried 60-80lb packs (winter climbing requires a lot of gear) now I'd struggle to pick up and sling that pack onto my back, let alone do 30+ miles with it.
Who am I kidding, I'd struggle to do the 30 miles without a pack these days.
I played with using webbing type gear carriers, these were hi-tech versions of army kit and the most successful was based on a rather large "bum bag" which sat properly on the hips, with a large daysack that rested on it as well as several pouches slung on the front of the shoulder straps and waist belt. It made for a far more comfortable carrying experience - but couldn't carry the level of kit I used for winter climbing.
I haven't seen these systems for quite a few years, so no idea if a modern version is available. Even older were the separate frames and sacks, Karrimor did one that was a child carrier and a small sack could be fastened below for supplies. - I always thought these needed two adults to safely insert and remove the child.

[Deleted User]

Are you talking about something like military belt kit?

nuatha

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Are you talking about something like military belt kit?

"using webbing type gear carriers, these were hi-tech versions of army kit"

The inspiration for these was military webbing, but the design was geared towards a range of outdoor pursuits. The nearest current kit I can find to the base pack is the Maxpedition Sabrecat


HTH

armyknife

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I was looking to elicit a somewhat fuller explanation.

armyknife referred to "accidents", but didn't elaborate on the nature of said accidents.

In fact, Hurricane Lamps are far safer than candles, and indeed many other kinds of flame producing lamps.

Lots of things are "rather dangerous", when used without care, but that doesn't mean we should stop using them.

There's plenty of information out there about efforts in the 3rd world to move on from paraffin and use solar for lighting and other technologies for cooking and heating.

Here's a link to a campaign to improve the handling of Kerosene in South Africa.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/drive-to-bottle-up-dangers-of-paraffin-1.273886

Considered "essential" by more than half the population, more than 700 million litres of paraffin are sold annually for use in cooking and the provision of heat and light.

"Paraffin is an extremely common fuel source, particularly among poorer communities," said Teri Kruger of the Paraffin Safety Association of Southern Africa.

"It is cheap and provides heat and light in places that have no electricity, but people are often unaware of the dangers it poses."

According to the Paraffin Safety Association, paraffin and paraffin use results in tens of thousands of accidents every year and dangers include fire, poisoning from accidental ingestion and respiratory diseases caused by excessive air pollution.

"People must be made aware of the fact that it is a hazardous substance and they must exercise safety precautions when storing and using it," said Patrick Kulati, managing director of the Paraffin Safety Association.
.....

craigywv

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I have a couple, very similar (in fact I think identical) to those.

Have you got a (reasonably priced) paraffin supplier, close by?

ETA: I thought I had a photo somewhere.

hi BOB, I have the same as this lantern could you pls tell me what size and where do I get extra wick for this thanks.xxx:)

[Deleted User]

It's a 1/2" wick, and Amazon is as good a place as any.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flat-Paraffin-width-metre-length/dp/B00AILDDT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379057514&sr=8-1&keywords=1%2F2%22+flat+wick

craigywv

thanks BOB

[Deleted User]

According to the Paraffin Safety Association, paraffin and paraffin use results in tens of thousands of accidents every year and dangers include fire, poisoning from accidental ingestion and respiratory diseases caused by excessive air pollution.

There are likewise, tens of thousands of accidents every year, from the careless use of other items (cars for example - which are involved in about 3,000 deaths per year, in the UK alone), but that doesn't mean we stop using them.

The open flame of a candle, is a far greater fire hazard than the enclosed flame of a Hurricane lamp, particularly with the designed in safety of the latter.

As for accidental ingestion, that occurs with all sorts of substances, eg. medicine, household chemicals and pesticide.

In the US alone, there are approximately 2 million poison exposures every year, with approximately 30 children dying every year, due to accidental poisonings.

Air pollution isn't just a paraffin related matter.

Coal fired power stations add to the air pollution, which kills thousands every year in Ontario, and poorly maintained cars is a major cause of the pollution, that kills around 10,000 a year in Iran.

We had a paraffin heater when I was a child and, despite its regular winter use for around 20 years, both my parents lived past retirement age (my father by 20 years), with neither dying from a respiratory disease.

If treated with respect, paraffin is a useful and relatively safe, emergency fuel.

BessieBooBoo

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

BBB when I buy storage items I always think of them as 'Futures', almost like an investment in the future as that's when I'll use them and if they are at a good price now it will save me cash later on when they will undoubtedly be more expensive. Do you think he's likely to see prepping from that angle? rather than just preparing for an emergency or disruption of life as we know it? Cheers Lyn xxx.

Hello Mrs LW

Thank you - I will use that as a 'key word' if he starts getting twitchy about me putting our cash into goods...

Been on a prepper site P2S for UK and scared myself again. Especially the one which mentions our economy going down the pan - from that notorious 'Money Week' lot; apparently we are circling the drain now... Having to restrain myself from emptying the accounts and buying all sorts of preptastic stuff.

Must get the right balance between 'headless chicken it's all going Pete Tong' and 'nothing to see hear, it can't all possibly go teats up. Again.' :cool:

Consoling myself with making green tomato chutney, yogurt, and dealing with a mountain of apples the parents are bringing over.

Today, I will be mostly in the kitchen, where, through the steam of boiling chutney, apple sauce, pie and crumble making, I will be singing the happy song 'I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok, I sleeps all night, and I works all day...!'

I think I am slightly cracking up!! :rotfl:

BBB

BessieBooBoo

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

Found a really useful prepper site while on pinterest today honestly that site is like crack, once on it you are hooked :rotfl::rotfl::p
http://www.happypreppers.com/home.html

Hello Butterfly Brain

Ta muchly. Duly added to favourites. And I am surfing again rather than diving back into the kitchen....;)

BBB