Preparedness for when

GreyQueen

Sometimes I will be coming back from the later archery class and will be walking across the city centre at 9.30-9.40 pm on dark winter nights.

I know where the council CCTV cameras are mounted and which directions they are pointing, and follow the route most covered; I can get to within 10 m of my door on one route covered by cameras being monitored live by my colleagues.

Oh, and the 5.5 ft bowstave in my hand would be handy for a smack upside the head if things got really interesting.:rotfl:

ETA; what about a hospice in your own area, jk0? They do a lot of good work.

Nargleblast

You could donate £50's worth of food to a food bank, or pet food to cat or dog rescue places? Or put £50 a month into a savings account and use that account to pay for something useful for a local good cause?

cbrown372

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I'm sorry but, since when does tripping someone, who is fleeing the police, become "kicking" him :huh:

No need to be sorry if you think it's okay for a photographer to trip up a father and child because it makes for a good photo so long as she didn't kick him.

jk0

Ah, you've just reminded me GQ, of the place I was so well cared for just before Xmas. The Royal Berkshire Hospital!

Nargleblast

Regarding personal safety - I remember reading years ago that if you had to walk somewhere late at night then you should hold your head up and stride out purposefully, with attitude, as creeping along looking like a victim would definitely encourage attackers to pick on you. A bunch of keys in your hand makes a handy weapon as well.

GreyQueen

Nargleblast wrote: »

Regarding personal safety - I remember reading years ago that if you had to walk somewhere late at night then you should hold your head up and stride out purposefully, with attitude, as creeping along looking like a victim would definitely encourage attackers to pick on you. A bunch of keys in your hand makes a handy weapon as well.

Very true.

There was research done into why some people have been the victims of street assaults on multiple occasions whereas others living in the same area, and apparently outwardly similar, have never been attacked.

Street scenes were shot of ordinary people going about their everyday business and shown to convicted muggers, asking them who they would choose to victimise. Their answers were analysed alongside the images.

The people selected as targets looked distracted, unco-ordinated and over-burdened with bags etc. Even something as subtle as having your arm and leg swing forward on the same side when you walk, instead of opposites (i.e. it's normal for humans to swing the right arm forward as the left leg advances and vice versa) was enough of a signifier of vulnerability to indicate a likely victim.

What muggers loathed was people who were looking alert enough to see them coming and who would be able to describe them clearly to the Police.

It's also helpful to understand that sudden loud noises can be fabricated as a distraction; it's a common criminal tactic for thieving but can be used in street crime, too. If you hear a loud crash to your left, give a quick glance to make sure something isn't coming towards you, then look fast in the opposite direction. You might be surprised at what's going on there.

[Deleted User]

cbrown372 wrote: »

No need to be sorry if you think it's okay for a photographer to trip up a father and child because it makes for a good photo so long as she didn't kick him.

I didn't see the video. I just read the report, which, in one sentence refers to tripping, and the next to kicking.

That's why I asked a question, rather than made a statement.

Also, at no point did I say it was OK.

jk0

I enjoy watching the adventures of 'Reponut' on Youtube. His latest one was quite shocking though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaDQ0GqfLFI

He came upon a scene of devastation. Two cars were horribly damaged, and a man lay dying on the hard shoulder. Poor guy, (only 51) was changing a wheel, when someone ran into him.

Call the AA, and get out of the car guys.

sb44

Regarding SHTF scenarios and power cuts.

Have you all made plans for alternative means of cooking, should you have long term power cuts?

I had never bothered before as I just assumed power would be back on after a few hours.

The way things are going in the world, I am not sure how long power would be out. I suppose it depends on what the cause of it was.

We don't have a gas cooker, so if we wouldn't have any means of cooking if we had a 'lecky' cut, well,(other than the camping stove that you buy gas canisters for).

So, I was looking on ebay and YouTube for ideas.

I found a few vids on how to make a Soda Can Stove or Penny Stove.

I cut the bottom off a couple of Lidl cider tins , slotted one on top of the other, made holes all around the outer edge of the top of one of them with a pin board pin, put 5 holes in the centre of the top, filled with about 70ml of meths, put a 2p in the centre to cover the holes, lit and the end result was the pic below.

It only took just over 3 minutes to boil 2 cups of water!





So keep your old coke, beer tins folks and give it a try.



My husband thought I was mad when he saw me making the stove but was quite impressed when he saw the end result.

The first pic shows the flames when they have died down slightly, you get quite a big orange flame in the centre for a while (you can see some of it in the second photo).

[Deleted User]

I've made a number of these alcohol stoves.

Here's the link to the video, on how to make it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-35L_xdtQE

A bit of advice. Not all UK drinks cans are suitable, due to the design of the top rim. Use Vimto cans, as they definitely do work.

Also, Bio-Ethanol is cheaper, less smelly, and leaves less deposits in/on the stove, compared to meths.