Preparedness for when

Karmacat

Hi Mary, I was born in 1954 too, but a bit later, so I get mine on my 66th - didn't know that about the civil service announcement I try not to think about it, because I'm so furious about it Since reading this thread, I've gone back to what I used to think in my 20s, that almost anyone with a great deal of wealth has obtained a fair amount of it by, um, being a toerag, thats the technical term, you understand

Frugalsod

I am looking at getting an LED lantern. Principally for camping but will also be handy if there are power cuts. I will be getting another Maglite torch as I need to get an even number of rechargeable batteries at the same time.

MrsAtobe

For those after the dental kits, B00ts do them, it's where I got mine from.

http://m.boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/Dentek-Dental-First-Aid-Kit_867649/

[Deleted User]

Charged my Jump Starter pack overnight, and just tested it.

Interestingly, CLF bulbs will operate on it.

That got me to thinking.

My inverter supplies a maximum of 80W @230V, while drawing 6.7A from the 12V supply.

A CFL, equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb, draws 6W.

That means the Jump Starter pack would run a 6W CFL for around 12 hours, due to CFLs having a rather poor power factor.

Obviously not much use in a sustained power cut, but more than enough for the intermittent power cuts, resulting from load shedding.

[Deleted User]

I'm glad the footwear question has been discussed on the thread lately, I've been thinking lately that IF we do ever need to evacuate our home patch very quickly with the amount of traffic on the roads these days and the physical state of the roads themselves it would probably be more sensible to walk out of the area and be able to take the direct routes via the footpaths and lanes than be stuck in the car not able to move. There are drawbacks as we'd only be able to carry a finite amount of posessions and obviously travelling on foot is nowhere near as fast as by car but we'd be able to travel by ways not accessible to traffic and that might give us a better chance of reaching safety than waiting it out in the traffic queues. So if you've got a half decent set of footware, look after it, it might just be worth its weight in safety!!!!!

[Deleted User]

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

There are drawbacks as we'd only be able to carry a finite amount of possessions and obviously travelling on foot is nowhere near as fast as by car

This is why I set a strict weight limit (15lb) on my BOB.

If your BOB is too heavy, you won't be able to maintain a fast pace (or indeed an pace, if it is very heavy) across country.

newthrift

siegemode having had a look through your list, this has given me some good ideas for bits I hadn't thought of that would be relevant. Also made me think about re-checking what my OH has got in his incase of emergency pack in his lorry - it is pretty well equipped but will double check it later or over the weekend.

Can anyone recommend where best to pick up seat belt cutter and window breaker?

[Deleted User]

They're called Safety Hammers, and they're available from Amazon UK.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seatbelt-Cutter-Window-Breaker-Emergency/dp/B00D6F0WSQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394537184&sr=8-1&keywords=safety+hammers

ETA: Some manufacturers call the Life Hammers.

newthrift

Thanks bedsitbob

siegemode

FurryBeastOz wrote: »

Now I understand your username siegemode. Is there any room in the car for you and DH? Actually some great ideas there. We are travelling to South of France in May and I always find I've missed something. Your car list now added to my various scenario packing lists. Thanks

I looked back on the list and thought wow that's a lot of stuff:o But it's well tucked a way. Often what I call useful stuff my OH calls clutter and hoarding. An estate car certainly makes things easier:D Do let us know if you think of anything else whilst planning your trip to France.

vivatifosi wrote: »

Something else that lives in the boot of my car is one of those cheap shower curtains that you can buy from the likes of Asda and Tesco for about £1.

Brilliant idea thanks :beer: added to shopping list.

bugslet wrote: »

Sorry I can't resist! I used to drive a van round Western Europe, I barely took anything with me bar basic toiletries and few changes of clothes and one map book.

siegemode, I don't know if I'm impressed or bemused:D

When younger I was far more carefree and would attend w/e events and festivals with little more than a toothbrush, spare undies and money. As age progresses so does my imagination, awareness, experience and the need to be prepared. My preps in the car, home or in my everyday bag are often the source of amusement to others until I have just what is needed when a situation occurrs:D