How to stay warm when TSHTF

[Wild Bill]

Going to be investing in one of these for the cheapness of operation and ability to run on 12 volt and multiple fuels

[rickymouse]

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yllk4IXp1xQ]

Going to be investing in one of these for the cheapness of operation and ability to run on 12 volt and multiple fuels

Kind of neat.  I do wonder about the exhaust, does it have to be brought to the outside of what you are heating to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Not a bad price, it is about one hundred twenty nine bucks on amazon.  A kerosun heater is almost as expensive as that is....but it does not require electricity.  Now I wonder how long a car battery will last to power it.

Seems that there is not a lot of information about these things on the advertising.

[quintessentone]

So from what I am learning about how to stay warm and alive indoors, because we won't be leaving our home and will try to unite with our neighbors for mutual reliance and survival, unless absolutely necessary, so at this point when all fuel runs out or is unavailable those generators and heaters will be of no use. It is recommended to think about heating only one small space in one room and trying to seal off windows/doors with blankets, mylar etc. to prevent the cold, wind from entering into that one small space (preferably an interior room). Bubble wrap on a wet window sticks and traps air and cardboard taped over that can also be a good solution.

I have supplies for reflecting body heat back and cardboard for creating air gaps for holding back the cold and keeping in the warm.

The setting up a tent/tarp covering is now what I am concentrating on right now and other supplies for the interior of the tent for optimal heat reflection and retention in the way of a DIY polyethylene foam closed cell warm air trapping/retention shelter inside of the tent/tarp structure.

Here's the idea:

https://www.designboom.com/design/iglou-...3-20-2020/

"made from polyethylene foam, iglou ensures thermal insulation capable of capturing the user’s body heat and creating a warm ambience inside up to 20ºC above the outside temperature. the interior of the iglou is fire resistant thanks to its aluminum coating, meaning that forgotten cigarette butts or toppled gas burners won’t be an issue."

---

It looks to be 4 layers thick which on Amazon seems to be 2.17 inches thick and it's not overly expensive, and it also looks to be lined with mylar sheeting. But upholstery cushions and memory foam mattresses can also be used as they also trap air and it is already a material most people will have on hand. I think between all of us we have enough sofa cushions to make a lean-to inside the tent. Then add one of those terracotta planter heaters with some air ventilation along with proper clothing/bed layering and that should do the trick - no cotton against the skin as cotton won't wick away the moisture/sweat.

I am also searching for wool blankets that don't cost an arm and a leg, so I will be going to secondhand stores and see what I can find and mend, if necessary. Maybe I can buy used wool clothing and sew together a sort of patchwork wool quilt.

This could be custom shaped and the mylar taped in place (get lots of duct tape for when TSHTF and the industrial kind) and put a tent or tarp spaced over it to create another air space.

That will take care of wind stealing your life force/warmth away.

For insulting the ground indoors it is of the utmost importance to elevate yourself under 1. plastic or waterproof barrier (tarp), 2. something with air pockets like cardboard, bubble wrap, styrofoam etc. , 3. mylar sheets - stop the cold from drawing out your warmth from underneath.

If outdoors, use 12 inches or more of pine needles and/or branches, leaves, grass or straw because as soon as you lie down on it is depresses a great deal and you are essentially now closer to the cold ground.

The whole idea is to create air gaps and learning how R-values can be misleading and/or increased due to the thickness of materials with the addition of reflecting one's own body heat back is the trick. Reddit users at the link have some interesting thoughts on the matter.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Insulation/comm...eflective/

What I like about the polyethylene foam is that is can be bent and shaped and taped to create the perfect size with the right amount of air pocket around your body while still being able to toss and turn, if desired.

Homeless sleeping pod DIY:

https://elkinsdiy.com/homeless-sleeping-pod-2/

I never want to be in a position where we will freeze or starve to death. It's always wise to be prepared.

[argentus]

So from what I am learning about how to stay warm and alive indoors, because we won't be leaving our home and will try to unite with our neighbors for mutual reliance and survival, unless absolutely necessary, so at this point when all fuel runs out or is unavailable those generators and heaters will be of no use. It is recommended to think about heating only one small space in one room and trying to seal off windows/doors with blankets, mylar etc. to prevent the cold, wind from entering into that one small space (preferably an interior room). Bubble wrap on a wet window sticks and traps air and cardboard taped over that can also be a good solution.

I have supplies for reflecting body heat back and cardboard for creating air gaps for holding back the cold and keeping in the warm.

The setting up a tent/tarp covering is now what I am concentrating on right now and other supplies for the interior of the tent for optimal heat reflection and retention in the way of a DIY polyethylene foam closed cell warm air trapping/retention shelter inside of the tent/tarp structure.

Here's the idea:

https://www.designboom.com/design/iglou-...3-20-2020/

"made from polyethylene foam, iglou ensures thermal insulation capable of capturing the user’s body heat and creating a warm ambience inside up to 20ºC above the outside temperature. the interior of the iglou is fire resistant thanks to its aluminum coating, meaning that forgotten cigarette butts or toppled gas burners won’t be an issue."

---

It looks to be 4 layers thick which on Amazon seems to be 2.17 inches thick and it's not overly expensive, and it also looks to be lined with mylar sheeting. But upholstery cushions and memory foam mattresses can also be used as they also trap air and it is already a material most people will have on hand. I think between all of us we have enough sofa cushions to make a lean-to inside the tent. Then add one of those terracotta planter heaters with some air ventilation along with proper clothing/bed layering and that should do the trick - no cotton against the skin as cotton won't wick away the moisture/sweat.

I am also searching for wool blankets that don't cost an arm and a leg, so I will be going to secondhand stores and see what I can find and mend, if necessary. Maybe I can buy used wool clothing and sew together a sort of patchwork wool quilt.

This could be custom shaped and the mylar taped in place (get lots of duct tape for when TSHTF and the industrial kind) and put a tent or tarp spaced over it to create another air space.

That will take care of wind stealing your life force/warmth away.

For insulting the ground indoors it is of the utmost importance to elevate yourself under 1. plastic or waterproof barrier (tarp), 2. something with air pockets like cardboard, bubble wrap, styrofoam etc. , 3. mylar sheets - stop the cold from drawing out your warmth from underneath.

If outdoors, use 12 inches or more of pine needles and/or branches, leaves, grass or straw because as soon as you lie down on it is depresses a great deal and you are essentially now closer to the cold ground.

The whole idea is to create air gaps and learning how R-values can be misleading and/or increased due to the thickness of materials with the addition of reflecting one's own body heat back is the trick. Reddit users at the link have some interesting thoughts on the matter.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Insulation/comm...eflective/

What I like about the polyethylene foam is that is can be bent and shaped and taped to create the perfect size with the right amount of air pocket around your body while still being able to toss and turn, if desired.

Homeless sleeping pod DIY:

https://elkinsdiy.com/homeless-sleeping-pod-2/

I never want to be in a position where we will freeze or starve to death. It's always wise to be prepared.

 Good ideas, thank you!

For wool blankets, check military surplus stores;  many also have polartech and other blankets.   That used to also be a good source for sturdy, thick tents and such.    The lightweight nylon/poly tents are great for backpacking in fair weather.    This is also true of military surplus sleeping bags and such;  they were built to last, and to keep personnel alive.   

I haven't been in the outside world in decades.   I hope Military Surplus stores are still as prevalent as the used to be.   I hope Amazon hasn't killed that also.

[quintessentone]

 Good ideas, thank you!

For wool blankets, check military surplus stores;  many also have polartech and other blankets.   That used to also be a good source for sturdy, thick tents and such.    The lightweight nylon/poly tents are great for backpacking in fair weather.    This is also true of military surplus sleeping bags and such;  they were built to last, and to keep personnel alive.   

I haven't been in the outside world in decades.   I hope Military Surplus stores are still as prevalent as the used to be.   I hope Amazon hasn't killed that also.

My ammo and gun store have camping supplies but no wool blankets.

It seems there is an army surplus store in a neighboring city with 4-5 pound emergency wool blankets for $50.00 for a 85.5" x 62.5" size. Certainly that will be worth a look to see if I can wrap my total body around with tucking and feet tucked in too, with some left over for head protection. It looks really itchy though.

Thanks for the tip, but I can't stop thinking of making a patchwork wool blanket from perhaps non-itchy merino wool castaways.

[Wild Bill]

Kind of neat.  I do wonder about the exhaust, does it have to be brought to the outside of what you are heating to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Not a bad price, it is about one hundred twenty nine bucks on amazon.  A kerosun heater is almost as expensive as that is....but it does not require electricity.  Now I wonder how long a car battery will last to power it.

Seems that there is not a lot of information about these things on the advertising.

The video I watched on YouTube a month or so ago Ricky showed a set up that was exhausted to the outside because the fumes would kill you and he modded the heater tube from the one supplied to a better quality one then run it for a hour at full blast and it only used 300  ML of fuel .

You can also run just about any fuel even old used engine oil in it , But I can imagine that would block up the filter quick , I have a 12 volt power bank for emergencies but that little thing looked cheap to run in a emergency situation and with the way prices are going for heating fuel it might be a good idea for anyone struggling.

But definitely vent the thing

[Wild Bill]

My ammo and gun store have camping supplies but no wool blankets.

It seems there is an army surplus store in a neighboring city with 4-5 pound emergency wool blankets for $50.00 for a 85.5" x 62.5" size. Certainly that will be worth a look to see if I can wrap my total body around with tucking and feet tucked in too, with some left over for head protection. It looks really itchy though.

Thanks for the tip, but I can't stop thinking of making a patchwork wool blanket from perhaps non-itchy merino wool castaways.

Not the scratchy army surplus blankets nooooo , I still have PTSD from them appearing every winter half a century ago and don't even go there with the Valor paraffin heater 

[argentus]

Not the scratchy army surplus blankets nooooo , I still have PTSD from them appearing every winter half a century ago and don't even go there with the Valor paraffin heater 

When I was a kid, I wore wool pants in the winter.  Yes, they were rough.   They were also warm.   We might have to in the future pick a lane.  ;o)

[quintessentone]

Not the scratchy army surplus blankets nooooo , I still have PTSD from them appearing every winter half a century ago and don't even go there with the Valor paraffin heater 

LOL That's the kicker - they knew how to keep warm/survive half a century ago. Never heard of a Valor paraffin heater, I guess it's a type paraffin wax candle heater. If it is, it will give off some heat in a small properly insulated space. We have to do what we have to do.

[Wild Bill]

When I was a kid, I wore wool pants in the winter.  Yes, they were rough.   They were also warm.   We might have to in the future pick a lane.  ;o)

After 60 years of freezing my butt of the only lane I will be picking is on a plane and on my way out to the sun if I make it to this coming winter