Preparedness for when

thriftwizard

Pretty sure it's a broken connection somewhere inside, greenbee. It's fairly old so replacing it is not an issue; in the meantime I've managed to connect the wireless one that belongs to my iPad. And thanks for the suggestion, BSB, but I'm keeping it all Apple as far as possible; other brands do work, just not as well, and this machine is quite often used for high-end creative stuff - not by me, I hasten to add! (That's what sewing machines are for.) But it was bought to support what one or two of The Offspring do (for a living, in one case, and the other does earn money from her efforts, just not enough to support herself) and needs to be up to the job if ever needed.

[Deleted User]

I still think the most valuable thing that any of us can invest in in terms of prepping is knowledge and good practical skills that might not be used in real life on an everyday basis but would make life so much more comfortable if we were in a position that meant we had to literally fend for ourselves and start from scratch. To be able to make a warm and waterproof shelter, to be able to start a fire to warm you and cook your food, to know safe foraging and gathering skills and how to obtain clean water would be worth the investment in courses as a very basic set of skills, worth every penny paid to learn them and knowing how to work wood, clay, make wool and weave cloth, make baskets, smoke food to preserve it longer and so very many other things too many to list out would make life so much more than survival. I'd rather be in my shelter and warm because I knew how to make it than rely on gold/silver bars to make my future secure. It's a personal choice and might not seem worthwhile to some folks but a gold bar will never warm you up will it?

nuatha

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

It was misty when I got up this morning, and it's misty again now.

Looks like winter is on the way.

It was 18C here this afternoon. That's warmer than most of the summer days we had.

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I still think the most valuable thing that any of us can invest in in terms of prepping is knowledge and good practical skills that might not be used in real life on an everyday basis but would make life so much more comfortable if we were in a position that meant we had to literally fend for ourselves and start from scratch.

Fully agree. I may or may not get round to scratch building our next house, which certainly was the plan before health issues got in the way. But having learned and practised a number of the skills I'm confident about my ability to cope with providing both short term and longer term shelter. I've been less successful both gardening and foraging over the last few years for similar reasons, though have still managed to do an amount of preserving.
It may be that I'm never in a position to need those skills in desperation but they do come in useful most days in ordinary life.

thriftwizard

I'd rather be in my shelter and warm because I knew how to make it than rely on gold/silver bars to make my future secure. It's a personal choice and might not seem worthwhile to some folks but a gold bar will never warm you up will it?

There's also the issue that gold is rather - desirable? portable? nickable? I'd worry that possession of any significant amount of gold or similar would make me a target for those who have not thought to provide for themselves in an unanticipated future. But they can't steal skills, and may not bother themselves with those who clearly have nothing more tangible to offer.

However, they may also not value skills; I've met too many people who are just incredulous at the idea of, say, being able to make your own cheese or jam to think that fledgling warlords would attach any importance to them as long as there are supermarkets & shopping centres to be raided. So it's important to make sure that these skills are passed on...

[Deleted User]

But when the supermarkets are empty of stock and the shopping centres are derelict wrecks and gold is worthless because there is nothing to buy with it and people wouldn't want it even if there was that's when the skills will become MOST valuable assets, and those who have the skills will be useful and necessary members of any future civilisation won't they?

greenbee

thriftwizard wrote: »

Pretty sure it's a broken connection somewhere inside, greenbee. It's fairly old so replacing it is not an issue; in the meantime I've managed to connect the wireless one that belongs to my iPad. And thanks for the suggestion, BSB, but I'm keeping it all Apple as far as possible; other brands do work, just not as well, and this machine is quite often used for high-end creative stuff - not by me, I hasten to add! (That's what sewing machines are for.) But it was bought to support what one or two of The Offspring do (for a living, in one case, and the other does earn money from her efforts, just not enough to support herself) and needs to be up to the job if ever needed.

If its an apple keyboard then it's worth trying it on a cold wash in the dishwasher with no detergent. Just in case something sticky has got in there. You've got nothing to lose :cool: (I have to admit I don't know whether this still works, but it used to and saved me a fortune when people kept knocking coffee over their expensive mac keyboards!)

[Deleted User]

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I still think the most valuable thing that any of us can invest in in terms of prepping is knowledge and good practical skills that might not be used in real life on an everyday basis but would make life so much more comfortable if we were in a position that meant we had to literally fend for ourselves and start from scratch.

True, but a few bits of equipment will make life a lot easier.

For example, you referred to knowing how to obtain clean water.

Of course that's a very useful skill but, having a Sawyer squeeze filter will save you a great deal of time and effort, which can then be put to other chores.

Likewise, while fire lighting is an essential skill, carrying a couple of lighters, and a box of matches, will save the effort.

jk0

Hmm. Not sure about putting a keyboard in a dishwasher. I'd fill a washing up bowl full of distilled water and leave in there for an hour agitating occasionally, then dry in airing cupboard.

[Deleted User]

There feasibly might come a time when there were no more clean filters left and the supply of ready made matches/lighters had all been used. You'd still have the knowledge in your head when that day dawned wouldn't you? I don't think we can rely on there always being 'instant' answers and knowing 'how to' real old fashioned style would be valuable for the long term.

[Deleted User]

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I don't think we can rely on there always being 'instant' answers and knowing 'how to' real old fashioned style would be valuable for the long term.

Hence why I said:-

"Of course that's a very useful skill but, having a Sawyer squeeze filter will save you a great deal of time and effort, which can then be put to other chores"

and

Likewise, while fire lighting is an essential skill, carrying a couple of lighters, and a box of matches, will save the effort."

I'm not suggesting the equipment is a substitute for the skills, but rather, that it should be possessed in addition to said skills.

I know how to light fires without matches/lighters, but, and especially in the early stages of a survival situation, using a match/lighter means, my energies can be put to fulfilling other, equally pressing needs.