Preparedness for when

moneyistooshorttomention

Rhetorical question?? Yep...do my bit at supporting alternative energy and done my bit helping striking coal miners back in the 80s.:D:A

danih

Anyone know of a reliable, medical info site that explains medical stuff in idiot proof language?

I have a learning experience that should give me an extention to my first aid knowledge in a shtf situation. My hairless pet rat exploded on Sunday - huge absess burst on his hip, leaving a huge hole you would easily place a pound coin into. He's been to the vet twice this week, is on antibiotics and is doing grand. I reckon this is a good opportunity to learn how absesses work, and how they heal, so if they happen with friends or family I'll be better able to deal with them.

I have good first aid skills, up to EMT level (south of Ireland standards, bit lower then UK), but I like my reading to be idiot proof language - not a fan of jardon and huge medical words. Any ideas?

moneyistooshorttomention

Been meaning to refresh my memory (courtesy of where I am living now.....) with a re-look at "Where There is No Doctor". Available as free e-book online. Maybe worth a look?

ivyleaf

GQ - When we were in NZ we both caught a cold and were surprised we couldn't get any decongestants containing pseudoephedrine over the counter. OH thought it might be to prevent athletes taking them to boost their performance.

Re smart meters - British Gas are making everyone have them. And Thames Water are making everyone change to a water meter over the next few years, whether we want to or not. Our area will be the first to get them - TW are going to start fitting them here early next year.

maryb

Kittie, is he actually saying there will be bitter cold this year? I read it that IF there are bitter cold snaps there will be brownouts/blackouts and the Met Office will still not be able to predict them despite their new computer because their basic model is flawed - not quite the same thing.

I suppose once you get your actual forecast it will become clear - if you feel you can say anything to clarify, I for one would be grateful, and I'm sure others would be too

greenbee

If you're worried about laptops etc then consider getting surge protectors (can be done relatively cheaply). If you need to work during power outages then a UPS can keep your broadband and PC going for a few hours if necessary (and shut stuff down in a controlled manner).

We get regular surges and power cuts, so this has been a topic for discussion amongst neighbours recently!

Smart meters - there's a regulatory requirement for them to be installed, so all providers will be putting them in eventually. On the plus side, as appliances are replaced with smart ones it will give consumers much more control over their energy usage (as well as helping to manage the blackouts...)

Water meters - my water bill has dropped dramatically since I had my meter, so it isn't all bad. Metering does at least provide you with control over your costs. Unmetered charging doesn't.

mardatha

That's helpful re surge protectors GB, what is the UPS thing ? I get a lot of power cuts in bad weather, but our local mast goes too so we lose internet and mobile phone the minute the power goes off.

Upsidedown_Bear

maryb wrote: »

Kittie, is he actually saying there will be bitter cold this year? I read it that IF there are bitter cold snaps there will be brownouts/blackouts and the Met Office will still not be able to predict them despite their new computer because their basic model is flawed - not quite the same thing.

I suppose once you get your actual forecast it will become clear - if you feel you can say anything to clarify, I for one would be grateful, and I'm sure others would be too

The new computer won't be fully online until 2017.

"The first phase of the supercomputer will be operational in September 2015 and the system will reach full capacity in 2017."
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2014/new-hpc

mollythewestie

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Just had a strange experience.

Popped into the pharmacist, attached to the medical centre, looking for soluble aspirin.

None on display, so I asked at the counter.

The lady behind the counter asked me, if I'd been advised to take them by my doctor.

When I said no, she said "In that case, I can't sell them to you".

Went into Boots and there they were, freely available, on display.

Didn't even have to go the pharmacy counter. Just paid for them at the ordinary till.

Same thing happened to me when I wanted to buy some for my DH, I was asked if he had been advised by a Dr to take them, which he had, and that seemed sufficient proof to be able to buy them. This was at our small Boots in the village, we have bought the same soluble aspirin off the shelf in larger stores though.

As an aside, we had a power cut here (Somerset) this morning :eek:, a sign of things to come?!

Bikingbint

jk0 wrote: »

I'm sure most of you guys pay by cash in shops in order to keep prying eyes away from what you are buying.


Of course, if the shop you are in has a power cut, they likely won't let you take your shopping unless you can pay them in pound notes, as the chip & pin machines won't work.

Just had a thought, (should make a note, don't have many) as many shops use the barcode of the item to run it through the till, they wont know how much an items costs as nothing is individually priced anymore.