Preparedness for when

[Deleted User]

jk0 wrote: »

Thanks Bob. I tried it and it makes the sound stutter on my machine when I watch videos.

Videos run fine for me, and I'm on a Dongle, so speeds are lower than most people.

nuatha

maryb wrote: »

I remember one half term we were in the Lake District and the walk we went on took us along the bank of a stream that looked very swollen to my eyes. We got to a bit where we would have needed to wade through quite a wide stretch of fast flowing water that would probably have come close to our boot tops, if not over them. I insisted we turn back. I'm still mocked whenever they think about it. Was I over cautious?

I don't think you were over cautious. Water is dangerous.

Frugalsod wrote: »

I am not disputing you. My comment about the sand bags was to be used in conjunction with breeze blocks. So even if the water seeped in and flooded 6 inches of the lower floor then many items could be above the flood level. You might need more breeze blocks to raise items even higher but all of this would take time. So you would need the sand bags filled and ready to use. You would also need enough to protect every door. They could be put in place in a short while once you see that there are problems. There are also other flood protection measures that are even better than sand bags. Though they probably would give you enough time to move valuables up stairs or onto breeze blocks.

The approach you suggest works and works well when you have sufficient notice. My reference was to flood events that don't allow you sufficient time - I routinely keep all important documentation and valuables on the first floor, I would lose original vinyl, DVD and CDs (though I have digital backups) furniture and carpets. Though the more notice I have the lower the loses.

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Videos run fine for me, and I'm on a Dongle, so speeds are lower than most people.

Bob may I ask which company you use, since I'm looking for a different supplier. Thank you

happydays89

I Just put sky news on and caught the end of a story about a man prepping for Ebola and they said he preps for lots of different disasters and then they had a good laugh about him,then Stephen Dixon said there must be something wrong with the man and the most he would do would be to buy a couple of pot noodles.Why are we portrayed as weird idiots?

GreyQueen

happydays89 wrote: »

I Just put sky news on and caught the end of a story about a man prepping for Ebola and they said he preps for lots of different disasters and then they had a good laugh about him,then Stephen Dixon said there must be something wrong with the man and the most he would do would be to buy a couple of pot noodles.Why are we portrayed as weird idiots?

Don't take it to heart.

News media, including broadcasters, are desperate for material. They literally don't have enough stuff to fill their hours so scrape to find something interesting to report upon. And they are also in the business of catering to the lowest common denominator of viewer/ reader, and in supporting the status quo. Hence the nickname 'presstititutes'.

The media will seldom provoke you into serious critical thought about serious issues. It isn't in their best interests and will cost them advertising revenue. It will also discomfit their audiences, who will probably switch off, literally and metaphorically.

And as to why mock preppers - why not? Very few real life preppers would go anywhere near a news outlet, it contradicts basic OPSEC. Therefore those who are out as preppers are a subset among a minority group, persons whose desire for that pitiful thing called fame is greater than their commonsense and self-preservation.

Anyway, this Stephen Dixon person is clearly a blethering idiot as he seems to think Pot Noodles are actually edible......:rotfl:

************

Today we have woken up to ongoing water supplies. This was not a given after what happened yesterday afternoon. I came home from the allotment and found that water was running down the road. Not a typical sight on a city centre street.

Yup, our beloved 5 inch water main has gone again, that's about the third time in five years. Seems to be a crack this time, rather than a total rupture, given the volume of water escaping. When she blows big time, there is a temporary fountain several feet high, a river flows down the street and in a low point on that side of the Towers, water quickly climbs about 2 ft deep and menaces the flats.

Naturellment, I scooted indoors to call the water company and spotted a bloke in a hi-viz jacket on site in less than an hour. SG co-incidentally came by at that time, I told her what I'd just seen and she remarked that she thought the water pressure was low on her side (my side of the block wasn't affected).

I was unphased but decided to have an early bath and run the washer, in case we had absence of water today. We didn't. SG rang me later in the evening to ask if would be OK if she helped herself to some of my stash of 2 litre water bottles if necessary? As in, should I be out, could she let herself in with the spare key she holds for me?

I said of course, but stash any bottles in a shopping bag when you take them, as I have enough for me and for you, but not enough for the whole block.

She also said that when she takes the car to the supermarket next time, she'd going to stock up on bottled water. As a former Guides mistress, she has a lot of camping stuff and know-how, but she realised that the water was a gap in her preps.

There, RL circumstances cause another prepper to join our happy band.

thriftwizard

Why are we portrayed as weird idiots?

Not wanting to sound paranoid, but I think there are huge vested interests in keeping everyone thinking they can live now, pay later, everything'll come up roses, don't worry, THEY've got our backs, they know what's best & will always take care of us. (Provided you're not a nasty dole-scrounging layabout, of course ;-)) And laughter is the best discouragement... stops genuine debate in its tracks.

Until something does actually go wrong, of course, like the floods last year. Then, if you're not prepared, it's all your own fault!

Karmacat

nuatha wrote: »

I routinely keep all important documentation and valuables on the first floor, I would lose original vinyl, DVD and CDs (though I have digital backups) furniture and carpets.

I do that too, for 95% of my stuff. My gardening and herbal books are on the ground floor, for lack of space upstairs, but they're on a shelf about 4' up, I'd have time to get them.

GreyQueen wrote: »

News media, including broadcasters, are desperate for material. They literally don't have enough stuff to fill their hours so scrape to find something interesting to report upon. And they are also in the business of catering to the lowest common denominator of viewer/ reader, and in supporting the status quo. Hence the nickname 'presstititutes'.

The media will seldom provoke you into serious critical thought about serious issues. It isn't in their best interests and will cost them advertising revenue. It will also discomfit their audiences, who will probably switch off, literally and metaphorically.

And as to why mock preppers - why not? Very few real life preppers would go anywhere near a news outlet, it contradicts basic OPSEC. Therefore those who are out as preppers are a subset among a minority group, persons whose desire for that pitiful thing called fame is greater than their commonsense and self-preservation.

Anyway, this Stephen Dixon person is clearly a blethering idiot as he seems to think Pot Noodles are actually edible......:rotfl:

Presstitutes! Priceless :T

Thats a really concise description of the attitude of most media, GQ, I like it. Also of so-called preppers who court publicity. Weird mix

.... SG rang me later in the evening to ask if would be OK if she helped herself to some of my stash of 2 litre water bottles if necessary? As in, should I be out, could she let herself in with the spare key she holds for me?

I said of course, but stash any bottles in a shopping bag when you take them, as I have enough for me and for you, but not enough for the whole block.

She also said that when she takes the car to the supermarket next time, she'd going to stock up on bottled water. As a former Guides mistress, she has a lot of camping stuff and know-how, but she realised that the water was a gap in her preps.

There, RL circumstances cause another prepper to join our happy band.

I love this! Thats RL prepping. Opsec, sharing with someone you respect. And I agree with thriftwizard too, we're all supposed to live in la-la land with 3 days of supplies, just like the supermarkets, but if there's a local shtf event we're criticised for not being able to cope for more than that time.

GreyQueen

:mad: Oh yes indeedy, TPTB love to have everyone in debt up to their eyeballs. It isn't enough that people live hand-to-mouth, it's so much better for our masters if you can be enticed into wanting things you can't afford and to get them on tick.

Then, you have to be an obedient little automaton and do what you are told. I love the concept of Eff You Money, that is, having enough to walk away from an untenable situation, whether in your employment or in a relationship.

I have enough cash to self-support for a year. I also have some old clothes I shall be mending today and will be yellow-label-hunting at closing time. Spent yeaterday evening reading a 50p crime thriller from cover to cover and was as happy as larry.

I'm at ease with the apparent contradictions because I am not like some of my dear friends, whose well-paid employment in severe jeopardy right now, who are indebted, who are on anti-anxiety meds, whose entire apparently much-more-prosperous-than-me existance is built on shifting sands.

I like to be able to sleep at night (well, pending neighbours, mine had me up at 4 am this morning ).

[Deleted User]

The rest of the world hasn't met reality in the same up close and personal way as most of us have so therefore it thinks that we are paranoid wierdos who don't have anything better to do with our time than sit with our colanders on our heads brandishing our rolling pins! Most of us have known real hardship for varying reasons that has given us an entirely different perspective by which to view this world. Let then be scornful and denigrating if it makes them feel superior. I only know that if we ever do have a set of circumstances that stops life on the streets for a period of time we will have the wherewithall to stay fed, watered, warm and medicated and not have to ask for external help except under circumstances that mean we have to evacuate. If that's lunatic fringe thinking, I can only say perhaps the lunatics aren't quite as barking as they are portrayed to be!!!

Baileys_Babe

jk0 wrote: »

Thanks Bob. I tried it and it makes the sound stutter on my machine when I watch videos.

That's interesting on the machine we use when we stream in Firefox (OH preferred browser) it's constantly buffering but with Chrome no problems.

craigywv

Good morning , question, see if we did get water shortages can i go to one of my 3 water butts and scoop out the water , boil it and drink it? Is this enough to make it safe. I also have water purifacatio n tablets do i boil and add these? Whats the best way to do it thanks x