02-07-2026, 08:14 PM
Hey, we don't imagine that we will be in a SHTF situation, but it happens. It isn't armageddon, often, it's just life. You live in a comfortable area, with resources around you. Your home is well insulated. There is a fault on the power grid caused by high winds clashing power lines together. The power system fails. The outside temperature is 14 F/-10 C. You are going to freeze to death without an action plan.
Many people of means would choose to drive to an area with power and hold up. If you are really lucky, they will take your pets also.
A variety of situations could cause you to shelter in place. Okay, so you don't have a fireplace or a Pella stove. Why would you? You are urban folk who don't care for the city, but don't embrace the country. City folk are in even worse peril than you. So what do you do?
Let's talk about "space blankets". What are they? They are mylar-lined very thin aluminum sheets that reflect back heat. Now, this is important: They rely upon you being relatively dry. Why? Because if you are moist/wet, you will steam yourself, and be subject to the ambient air temps. You want to be dry. Space blankets have value. They can help you conserve heat in dire situations. They are easy to transport, and cheap in cost. It's worth having a few around in your survival gear, right next to your first aid kit.
Suggestion #1: All my adult life, my Darlin' and me have had very good Eddie Bauer goose down sleeping bags. Some of them (NOT the 'mummy sack series') zip together for couples. If you can keep them dry and snuggle together, you can survive very dire temperatures, especially if you section off your survival area.
How to section off your survival area? The less area you have to heat, the easier it is TO heat. Take your smallest room, and pitch a small tent, just big enough for you or the two or three or six of you -- whatever is your living dynamic.
Suggestion #2: Acquire some closed-cell foam, to be rolled out in dire emergencies, as a ground cover insulation under your tent.
Suggestion #3: Acquire a small battery-powered space heater.
All of these things sound extreme, until you need them. I have friends in the North and Northeast United States. Hell, I have friends everywhere. Those in the country/rural areas expect power outages and are well prepared to survive.
If you are in an area that can have exteme cold and you are part of the power grid, I advise you to have emergency supplies that might just keep you alive in a SHTF situation. Of course, staying warm enough to survive is no good without an adequate amount of emergency water and food.
Here's something nobody talks about: Where do you pee and poop while you're not freezing to death? Stock at least four 5-gallon buckets with lids. Cut a six-inch hole in one of the lids, and screw a toilet seat to it from the underside. Imagine the shame of surviving the cold but having to soil the carpet around your home. You use the toilet seated bucket, then use another lid to close it off. When full, set aside. Begin the second bucket.
Most of this stuff you will never need. Still, if you want to ensure that you and your family survive, We're talking about less than $1000 worth of stuff to be stuffed away in a closet. With the high strangeness of the world, you would be somewhat silly to not at least stock up a month's worth of water and food. If you choose dehydrated food, obviously you need twice the amount of water, and a source of ignition and fuel for cooking.
My Darlin' and me have always loved to camp. We often hiked to camp at a beautiful spot. There are a plethora of other objects and supplies that might help, such as firearms, plastic sheeting, rope, etc. etc. I may or may not touch upon those items. I might do a thread on bushcraft. Mostly for right now, I want you all to not freeze to death.
All best
Many people of means would choose to drive to an area with power and hold up. If you are really lucky, they will take your pets also.
A variety of situations could cause you to shelter in place. Okay, so you don't have a fireplace or a Pella stove. Why would you? You are urban folk who don't care for the city, but don't embrace the country. City folk are in even worse peril than you. So what do you do?
Let's talk about "space blankets". What are they? They are mylar-lined very thin aluminum sheets that reflect back heat. Now, this is important: They rely upon you being relatively dry. Why? Because if you are moist/wet, you will steam yourself, and be subject to the ambient air temps. You want to be dry. Space blankets have value. They can help you conserve heat in dire situations. They are easy to transport, and cheap in cost. It's worth having a few around in your survival gear, right next to your first aid kit.
Suggestion #1: All my adult life, my Darlin' and me have had very good Eddie Bauer goose down sleeping bags. Some of them (NOT the 'mummy sack series') zip together for couples. If you can keep them dry and snuggle together, you can survive very dire temperatures, especially if you section off your survival area.
How to section off your survival area? The less area you have to heat, the easier it is TO heat. Take your smallest room, and pitch a small tent, just big enough for you or the two or three or six of you -- whatever is your living dynamic.
Suggestion #2: Acquire some closed-cell foam, to be rolled out in dire emergencies, as a ground cover insulation under your tent.
Suggestion #3: Acquire a small battery-powered space heater.
All of these things sound extreme, until you need them. I have friends in the North and Northeast United States. Hell, I have friends everywhere. Those in the country/rural areas expect power outages and are well prepared to survive.
If you are in an area that can have exteme cold and you are part of the power grid, I advise you to have emergency supplies that might just keep you alive in a SHTF situation. Of course, staying warm enough to survive is no good without an adequate amount of emergency water and food.
Here's something nobody talks about: Where do you pee and poop while you're not freezing to death? Stock at least four 5-gallon buckets with lids. Cut a six-inch hole in one of the lids, and screw a toilet seat to it from the underside. Imagine the shame of surviving the cold but having to soil the carpet around your home. You use the toilet seated bucket, then use another lid to close it off. When full, set aside. Begin the second bucket.
Most of this stuff you will never need. Still, if you want to ensure that you and your family survive, We're talking about less than $1000 worth of stuff to be stuffed away in a closet. With the high strangeness of the world, you would be somewhat silly to not at least stock up a month's worth of water and food. If you choose dehydrated food, obviously you need twice the amount of water, and a source of ignition and fuel for cooking.
My Darlin' and me have always loved to camp. We often hiked to camp at a beautiful spot. There are a plethora of other objects and supplies that might help, such as firearms, plastic sheeting, rope, etc. etc. I may or may not touch upon those items. I might do a thread on bushcraft. Mostly for right now, I want you all to not freeze to death.
All best
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always". - Darielys Tejera/Spc. Douglas Jay Green/Robin Williams
"Pseudoscience, depending for its “truth” on consensus, is deeply hostile to challenge." - Rael Jean Isaac
"Pseudoscience, depending for its “truth” on consensus, is deeply hostile to challenge." - Rael Jean Isaac
