Preparedness for when

Perplexed_Pineapple

[

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Something worth carrying in your 1st Aid Kit, is a few Lancets.

They're ideal for draining blisters and, being sterile, they avoid all the palaver of sterilising a needle.

They're available online but, as they come in boxes 100, there'd be a lot of wastage.

You could always scrounge a handful, from a friend or relative with Diabetes.

ETA: It's also worth putting half a tube of those round, makeup removing pads, in your 1st Aid Kit.

They're ideal as a padded dressing, to go over the drained blister.

Those make-up pads are cotton wool usually (always?) so you can use them as tinder for a fire too - a very useful thing to have a few of.
I've been looking at the multi-tools too, the Leatherman range are recommended by pretty much everybody but I can't quite work out how far up the range to go. Things like a good set of wire cutters might be useful in a urban survival situation, while others have quite a useful looking small saw which might be useful in the great outdoors. does anybody have any experience of the different models? I'm really thinking of this as a long-term investment so am prepared to save up for one of the higher-spec ones if it's worth it.

nuatha

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Maybe SMUG was not the right word to describe the feeling. Perhaps the word I'd use is enlightened, and I don't mean a eureka moment in a beam of light saying prepare, for the end of the world is nigh! what I mean is not ever totally believeing that all progress is actually progress in the right direction. Keeping the thought in mind that perhaps new ways are sometimes good and sometimes not....
I hope that's not unkind?

Not only not unkind (I really doubt you could ever be that) but quite profound, thank you for yet another excellent and thought provoking post.

Perplexed_Pineapple wrote: »

[

I've been looking at the multi-tools too, the Leatherman range are recommended by pretty much everybody but I can't quite work out how far up the range to go. Things like a good set of wire cutters might be useful in a urban survival situation, while others have quite a useful looking small saw which might be useful in the great outdoors. does anybody have any experience of the different models? I'm really thinking of this as a long-term investment so am prepared to save up for one of the higher-spec ones if it's worth it.

The Wave is the closest I can see to the one I've owned and used for the best part of 20 years. I do have one of the posh limited edition ones (a gift) but don't think it any better and certainly not good value for the price.
There's a comparison chart which might help you choose between models.
I wouldn't want to be dependent on the saw, I have used a wire saw on a number of occasions and they are surprisingly effective. (I'd recommend buying one with toggles rather than rings)

HTH

Perplexed_Pineapple

Thanks, Nuatha, the Wave is one of the ones I was looking at, I also like the look of the Charge but that is quite a lot more pricy and I'm not sure it's worth it. Still, good knives last for a long time, I've had my Swiss army knife for 23 years now and it's still used regularly. Wire saws, I read on a forum somewhere that the best way to use them is to stretch between the ends of a piece of wood so you effectively have an improvised bow saw. Haven't tried it yet though, and I have one of these: http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/bahco-laplander-folding-saw-734-p.asp in my (work-in-progress) BOB so not a priority for now.

jk0

Well, I had my flu jab on Monday. So far, so good. However, I just found a link to this video on Peak Prosperity. (Don't watch if Max Headroom scared you.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2MuXgpl2Sxg

[Deleted User]

Perplexed_Pineapple wrote: »

Thanks, Nuatha, the Wave is one of the ones I was looking at, I also like the look of the Charge but that is quite a lot more pricy and I'm not sure it's worth it. Still, good knives last for a long time, I've had my Swiss army knife for 23 years now and it's still used regularly. Wire saws, I read on a forum somewhere that the best way to use them is to stretch between the ends of a piece of wood so you effectively have an improvised bow saw. Haven't tried it yet though, and I have one of these: http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/bahco-laplander-folding-saw-734-p.asp in my (work-in-progress) BOB so not a priority for now.

We have the Bahco Folding Saw too. It's a really useful tool in the garden and well recommended on bushcraft sites (so a double duty tool). I got mine from Amaaaazon - the best price at the time.

We regularly get power cuts (overhead lines) so being prepared for such an event is a normal part of life. We also have to keep a well stocked storecupboard because we live on an island and when the weather is bad then freight doesn't get through. No freight, no supermarket stock.

pineapple

jk0 wrote: »

Well, I had my flu jab on Monday. So far, so good. However, I just found a link to this video on Peak Prosperity. (Don't watch if Max Headroom scared you.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2MuXgpl2Sxg

I find this sort of thing interesting from another slant. If extreme views, acts etc are due to an illness or genes etc, presumably there is no such thing as guilt. In fact if you accept this, places like Guantanamo should be replaced by treatment or kindlier detention facilities. After all - they can't have it all ways.
The same could apply to many of our prison population.
The medicalisation of all deviations from the 'norm' might make the world a safer place and save us from ourselves. As for a vaccination against it - brilliant! Happy clappy land here we go. What's not to love? (cue irony)

[Deleted User]

Oh dear!!!!! Anyone read Aldous Huxleys 'Brave New World' or John Wyndhams 'The Chrysalids?' and off down the slippery slope we go!!!!!

thriftwizard

Oh goodness me! I'm just recovering from a virus, I'd better examine my prejudices & check they're all still intact!

mardatha

John Wyndham was brilliant.

[Deleted User]

nuatha wrote: »

I have used a wire saw on a number of occasions and they are surprisingly effective.

For a BOB, I'd suggest a folding saw.

Admittedly, they're not super light (about 7.5oz), but they work very well.

Mine came from Aldi, and cost less than a fiver.

The thing with wire saws is, if they get kinked, they become weak (if not actually break) at the point of the kink.

As someone mentioned earlier, you can stretch them across of bow of wood, but you first need a suitable length of wood for the bow, which may mean using the wire saw "freehand", with the inherent risk of damaging it.