Preparing for troubled times ahead - Advice on what is needed.....

[Woody girl]

So many people are not putting anything by for tough times. They realy don't believe anything is terribly wrong, and more than once I've had people say to me, " oh, you have foraging skills so I'll just come to you, if things get that bad."
It's like a big joke.
I'm now playing down anything that might encourage desperate people knocking on my door ...or worse. I'm using phrases like, poor pickings this year, hardly worth the effort" , making sure I'm not foraging in full view of others, and buying only a few bits at a time in the local shop instead of proper shopping. Complaining about the lack of gluten free food ( which is true) being hungry, and maybe having to go to the food bank soon.
Gathering sticks for (kindling) the fire so "I have something to keep warm with for a few hours as I can't afford the central heating, or enough coal" Putting them off the scent as much as possible. If they are feeling OK for now, putting myself further down the "wealth" ladder might be a good idea.
It's not going to be a joke if things go stupid, and if, as was recently reported we have only 9 days of gas in reserve, whereas France has over 100, it could hit us sooner and more suddenly than anticipated.
Thank goodness the winter so far has been fairly mild here.
Fingers crossed.

 

[Woody girl]

In which case, if you don't have it already, it will become very difficult to procure in the short term.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

I'm pretty well stocked with most stuff, and have a back up for almost everything, but... of late, small items I could buy quite easily , especially from the local hardware store are becoming non existent. Take shoe polish, I popped in for a tin of light tan, and I can get dark tan, and black.
So decided the gun shop would probably have it so not to worry. (Only dark tan available there)
Also wanted a new carbon monoxide detector, I could get a smoke alarm, but not a CM detector.
So two items normaly in stock were not available and they had no idea if the stock order to be delivered next week, would actualy contain either item.
The owner said that any item that has any sort of reliance on China is now hard to obtain, and that is an awfull lot of stuff that we take for granted, and have no idea where it comes from, untill it can't be got.
If you have the resources and knowledge, you can make shoe polish, but not a CM detector!
Anyway, my light tan boots, are now dark tan, and I'm still waiting for the detector.

 

[Broch]

If you have the resources and knowledge, you can make shoe polish, but not a CM detector!
Anyway, my light tan boots, are now dark tan, and I'm still waiting for the detector.

Not strictly true. There are plenty of people capable of making a carbon monoxide detector. The basic sensor technology is still available albeit at a price.

 

[Woody girl]

Not strictly true. There are plenty of people capable of making a carbon monoxide detector. The basic sensor technology is still available albeit at a price.

OK, for some that is true if you are electronicly minded. I'm not, and most people I know are not.
Probably most of the components come from China anyway.
Whereas what is needed for boot polish isn't.

 

[Van-Wild]

There's some pretty good advice and links here:

Prepare - Prepare

Find out how to prepare for an emergency in your area. There are simple and effective steps you can take to be more prepared.

www.gov.uk

If you follow the links there's some good advice on being prepared for disaster, knowing the environmental risks in your area. It gives some advice on having a grab bag ready, as well as having a car bag as well.

Regarding grab bags and car bags, this is something that I do and have done for years. On my person I carry stuff that I'll need for ID, Med and Comms. Then a grab bag which has the next layer up, then my van contains another level up.

This is what I always carry every day:

On my person:

Phone
Wallet - Cash and cards
Pen - Sharpie
Med kit - IFAK with TQ
Watch
Keys on a karabiner
Bic lighter
Pocket knife

In my grab bag:

Torch
Muzzle (I have a dog, so if he hurts himself and I need to treat him)
Wind shirt/light goretex jacket
Buff
Snacks - nuts, oat bars, sweets
Phone charger and wire
Small note book
Hand sanitiser
Mylar blanket

In my car bag:

Tarp
Sleeping bag
Bivi bag
24hr rations
Jet boil and gas
Bic lighters
Puffy jacket
Sleeping mat
Leather Gloves
Spare batteries
Hi Viz top
Goretex trousers
Spare socks
Multitool

My van contains the usual breakdown kit; Spare full size wheel, jack, tyre weld, an inspection light, jump leads, a noco battery jumper, red and green glow sticks, a substantive med kit, and a Jerry can of fuel.

Ya know.... just in case......

But to be honest, I've mostly used various bits of the above to help other people. A lighter to light someone's cigarette, a pen and note pad to write down directions or pass a phone number, battery jumper for a stranded motorhome........... its nice to be nice.



Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

 

[gra_farmer]

Well, thread is going strong and there are loads to snippets of brilliant information and tips.

But seeing that this with energy and resources, war and attack on our systems, with a real threat to the way of life that we have all taken for granted, I am reminded to look to the past, of which a few have shared @Toddy and @santaman2000

I am reminded of a personal turning point 30 years ago, when we were learning about resources, particularly crude oil. There was no real concern about climate change, a little about pollution and water, but the main concern was oil, and lack of it.

With transport and vehicles in mind, going back further, and we realise the mistake, was made and set in motion back in the 1880s, where we didn't run with the idea batteries then, how far would we be now. Or even in the very early 1900s where there were the 'hot bulb' tractor that could run off any combustible fuel, including animal fats.......yet the wrong choice was made again. Fast forward to the 1960s electric cars, and then late 1980s for compressed air vehicles......all gone, hidden from the general population or destroyed.

Having been aware of pepping, viewing preppers setups, and talking in person to people over the last 30 years, there is one constant a faceless influence stalling or completely removing positive progression or technology.

Having worked as a specialist in air, water and land based industries, there is a breaking point, particularly social and economic, which is under threat....so learning from past, again is what we need to do, more 1940s thinking, with the hopeful outcomes of the post second war faith.

Just my thoughts...

 

[Woody girl]

Well, thread is going strong and there are loads to snippets of brilliant information and tips.

But seeing that this with energy and resources, war and attack on our systems, with a real threat to the way of life that we have all taken for granted, I am reminded to look to the past, of which a few have shared @Toddy and @santaman2000

I am reminded of a personal turning point 30 years ago, when we were learning about resources, particularly crude oil. There was no real concern about climate change, a little about pollution and water, but the main concern was oil, and lack of it.

With transport and vehicles in mind, going back further, and we realise the mistake, was made and set in motion back in the 1880s, where we didn't run with the idea batteries then, how far would we be now. Or even in the very early 1900s where there were the 'hot bulb' tractor that could run off any combustible fuel, including animal fats.......yet the wrong choice was made again. Fast forward to the 1960s electric cars, and then late 1980s for compressed air vehicles......all gone, hidden from the general population or destroyed.

Having been aware of pepping, viewing preppers setups, and talking in person to people over the last 30 years, there is one constant a faceless influence stalling or completely removing positive progression or technology.

Having worked as a specialist in air, water and land based industries, there is a breaking point, particularly social and economic, which is under threat....so learning from past, again is what we need to do, more 1940s thinking, with the hopeful outcomes of the post second war faith.

Just my thoughts...

I believe that progress isn't always the great thing we think it is, there is always a price for that progress, environmental or human..... now that very phrase which we often hear without hearing, shows the mental separateness from the environment.
Yes we are comfy, warm, and fed, take our spoon-fed entertainment for granted, can travel in a way our younger parents and grandparents would never have dreamed of. But I agree, we have as a species not had the proper eye on the future, often times they have been shut against the possible damage in the excitement of the "posative", and ignored the possibility of damage., we are in their future now, and our kids and grandkids will be in ours. I havnt worded that very well, but I hope you get the gist.
Time to think differently. So many youngsters get it, and then society is shocked when soup and mashed potato is thrown at a painting, and the damage to the object, is considered more important than the message they are sending.... you are not listening or changing your behaviour... Time to think about that.
It's always a contentious subject and often either shied away from or shouted down, but we can't keep ignoring it.
Progress isn't always bad, and can be great, after all who wants to grind a turnip when it can be bought ready ground, and delivered to your door , without even leaving your bed!
Good old amazon and all those massive warehouses, built on green fields, and fuel guzzling delivery vans, plus jobs for the minions..what's to complain about?


.

 

[Tengu]

The Public are not interested in the environment.

 

[Woody girl]

The Public are not interested in the environment.

There are certain, dyed in the wool people who are content to be led by the nose, rather than do some real research and think for themselves.
I listen to costing the earth regularly on radio 4, and today's item on PCB's in the ocean, and conciquently in our food was shocking. We got rid of them years ago didn't we? Trouble is, they do not break down and lie about in the environment, being hoovered up by all sorts of creatures and causing them reproductive problems among others. PCB levels in whales and porpoises can be far above levels deemed acceptable.
Just one example.
We all need to be concerned and stop the idea that the only way out of the worlds problems,is growth. Any living thing stops growing at a certain optimum level. Then it starts to decline, as sustained unending growth would result in all sorts of problems. Imagine if you did not stop growing, new bigger beds more clothes more food to maintain the 50 foot tall human. The same happens with society, and we are now witnessing our overgrowth and its effects. Basically modern life is not sustainable at the rate we have been going, but we are still told growth is what we all need, so we carry on stomping about in our size 90 boots.
Many tho, realise the folly and are attempting to slim down their footprint and tread lighter on the planet. ...not enough tho!

 

[TeeDee]

The Public are not interested in the environment.

Nice big blanket statement there.
Lovely piece of gross generalisation.

 

[Wander]

The Public are not interested in the environment.

Do remember that having an opinion is not quite the same as having actual knowledge.

However, I agree that most people are more interested in many day-to-day things over and above the environment. But that's not the same as your statement.

 

[santaman2000]

@Woody girl, there's an old non electronic technology available for your CM detector. Just get a budgie.

 

[Nice65]

Got one of these, £13.25 delivered. If we’re going to get blackouts, at least I can listen to news etc.

 

[Decacraft]

If we have blackouts that have now been expected to last upto 7 days, the broadcast stations wouldn't have enough power to last.

From memory radio 2 is indefinitely powered, as are a few others?

 

[Nice65]

If we have blackouts that have now been expected to last upto 7 days, the broadcast stations wouldn't have enough power to last.

From memory radio 2 is indefinitely powered, as are a few others?

I’m not too sure, but I’m already massively enjoying R4. I’d imagine radio companies that broadcast news have decent back up generators and battery systems. Isn’t this what Programme Yarrow is all about?

Theres very little data or phone signal where I am, so selecting a channel on my iPhone which is balanced in a window, and then connecting to my Bluetooth speaker is a real pain. However, we’ve been off grid since late May and are realising the difficulties and preparation needed for daily life, making sure the Honda gennie has fuel, keeping the leisure battery topped up, the diesel heater has enough fuel (and power) to keep us warm. Emptying the loo and filling the van with water if the forecast is for rain next day. Campervan life, after this amount of time, isn’t like a weeks camping anymore, it’s life.

 

[Decacraft]

Uh oh.. reports are coming in of a stray mi$$ile hitting Poland. Hope this doesn't provoke an unnecessary response of hell fury.

 

[gra_farmer]

Uh oh.. reports are coming in of a stray mi$$ile hitting Poland. Hope this doesn't provoke an unnecessary response of hell fury.

Not good.....

 

[TLM]

Looks like some NATO consultations might be triggered.
We certainly live in interesting times.
Historically looking Europe might be slightly overdue for a war. Of course Ukraine already is one.

 

[Decacraft]

There's also been reports of power outages in the UK, maybe its routine work, but few areas have been without power and without notice it seems.

Today I managed to secure a generator that will cover my mother's low usages if she were to experience any outages, and a 500w oil filled radiator to keep in the living room should be enough.

 

[mrmike]

Looks like some NATO consultations might be triggered.
We certainly live in interesting times.
Historically looking Europe might be slightly overdue for a war. Of course Ukraine already is one.

"Special military operation". Totally different from a war, obviously.

I would imagine that after some intense consultation, NATO may even go as far as to write a letter telling Putin how angry we all are.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk