Preparedness for when

Cappella

Originally posted by Pineapple

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cappella View Post
But there are some things that no amount of preparation will help: and I'm not going to live the rest of my life frightened of those. As someone said yesterday MrsLW?that would mean the terrorists and politicians were winning; and I'm not ready for that yet.

Pineapple replied

But having some preps isn't the same as being frightened. Haven't we had that debate already? We would probably all struggle in the event of an extreme breakdown, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't prep for slightly lesser emergencies. Isn't that why we are here? Imo having some fallout mitigation measures is as much a part of general preparedness and self reliance as is having extra stocks of food, water, first aid - and of course chocolate

I'm so sorry if that's what my post sounded like. It wasn't what I meant at all. I've hesitated to reply because I truly hadn't meant to question the sense of prepping in ANY scenario. I believe that prepping, at many different levels, is a vitally necessary tool in the society in which we are now living.
I apologise unreservedly if my post sounded otherwise, and hope that no one was offended by it.

[Deleted User]

Yer OK Kid, prep away and at all levels, we all do it to different levels and for different but I suspect similar reasons. Keep doing what you're doing, you're among pals here! Lyn xxx.

southantrim3

It's ok - there's a great disclaimer on the first post, which I noticed straight away. Good idea for people to check it every now and then so they know exactly what the thread's about, then there's no probs in what you post (as long as within guidelines lol...)

GreyQueen

I work in a local authority call centre. Any utility goes down, be it gas, electicity or the water, people call us. Talk to people in the same job role all over the country and their public does exactly the same.

So I take a call from XX2 postcode that the water's off and check Tiddlyumpty Water's website and there's a burst main/ failed pump and the water's off in my very own postcode. Am I bovvered?

Nope, because I have enough stored water to keep me alive for a few weeks, so a few hours or even days off-supply is no biggie.

If you have entertained the concept of an interruption to supply of any or all your utilities, and put in a Plan B, you're given yourself time to work out what to do. It's those people who have never mentally rehearsed how they'd cope in a difficult situation who will be at a loss.

[Deleted User]

Learned something new this afternoon, walked the dogs with my friend across the common and bumped into the Park Ranger just coming in as we were leaving beside a wild flower meadow they planted up 5 years ago. Part of the boundary fence has been made into animal habitat with a bug hotel, hedgehog den etc, and we've noticed over the past couple of months that they seem to have thatched part of the fence too so we asked why. it's DEAD HEDGING which I'd never heard of but when it was explained to me it makes so much sense. Way back when earlier generations cleared parts of the forest but not by burning and when they wanted to keep livestock in the clearings they'd made they got hazel/other flexible poles and wove a wattle fence round the cleared area. It doesn't last very long when left exposed, about 5 years but he did some research and found you can extend the life of the hedge by making daub and applying it to one side and then making an overhanging thatch to protect it and that's what they've done. It's experimental so they're trying different thatching materials and so far have straw and turf and this autumn are going to cut and dry bracken to do another section of fencing and then see how it lasts under the different thatches, It will be interesting to see and should we ever need to keep beasties in is a useful way of using what is to hand, even if making a shelter it will be good to see what material used for thatching lasts best and longest. Interesting finding out new things!

nuatha

Originally Posted by Cappella
But there are some things that no amount of preparation will help: and I'm not going to live the rest of my life frightened of those. As someone said yesterday MrsLW?that would mean the terrorists and politicians were winning; and I'm not ready for that yet.

Cappella wrote: »

I'm so sorry if that's what my post sounded like. It wasn't what I meant at all. I've hesitated to reply because I truly hadn't meant to question the sense of prepping in ANY scenario. I believe that prepping, at many different levels, is a vitally necessary tool in the society in which we are now living.
I apologise unreservedly if my post sounded otherwise, and hope that no one was offended by it.

That's not how I read your post (or Pineapple's reply for that matter).
No one can prep for every scenario, and the idea of letting the politicians win is anathema to me. Common sense dictates we prep for scenarios that are likely to affect us or have the greatest impact on our situation.
I don't prep for a substantial increase in temperatures - Lyn's scenario from the other day - because I struggle to even think above 25C. I'd become nocturnal and just avoid the worst of the heat, no prep needed .

NewShadow

milasavesmoney wrote: »

Gogette spoke if having a bag in the car. Do most on here also follow this practice?

I don't have a car, but also don't tend to travel a wide radius daily - probably a 10 mile circumference (and I walk as I can't stand buses).

I have 3 stashes - one at work (say 1 mile SouthWest-ish) one at the gym (about a mile north-ish) and one in my porch.

I also have a little carry bag (a toiletry bag) with some essentials on a day basis, and a keyring with some 'key' bits and bobs.

Hth.

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

Nope, because I have enough stored water to keep me alive for a few weeks, so a few hours or even days off-supply is no biggie.

Me too, but I'd probably get a bit whiffy, as the water would have to be prioritised to drinking and cooking.

dragonette

Hi all, oh I haven't posted here in a very long time but do tend to lurk. My world has pretty much turned upside down since then so it's probably time to reassess any preps.

I always have a back up of my meds and of food but I'm not sure the other things are up to scratch at all. I think I have (mostly) broken my sugar dependence. Seeing an allergen dietitian tomorrow so will see what I can find out about safe foods I can store medium to long term.

Had to give up driving so that's one less thing to prep. This flat has both gas and electricity which I prefer. It's much warmer here too! I still do not have any space to grow food, just a few window boxes of heather for pollinators. That counts as prepping, right?

I think that any practical skills I would have had post-SHTF are physically beyond me atm. Does anyone have any recommendations on skills that might be useful and spoonie-appropriate?

NewShadow

Spoonie mean's low stamina yes?

I would suggest you consider prepping meals and arrangements for days when you need to use your 'spoons' for crisis related things.

For example, I know a lady who preps outfits - easy on, full sets of clothes (right down to hair ties and slip on shoes) - so when she has (literally) no energy but MUST be in public she has bundles (one per draw in a bedside dresser) that don't need gathering from around the room and don't need thinking about.

Other days she spends ages picking and co-ordinating outfits.

You might prep freezer to oven meals (in foil takeout containers), or a stash of eat raw/just add how water meals.

You might have a stack of useful skill books in the bedside cabinet (or on a kindle or books on tape) for days when your head is fine but you can't get out of bed.

Not sure.

What's your worst case scenario (personal and globally) and start planning for what little thing you could do to make it simpler.