Prepper Tips Welcome

[ArMaP]

I am iffy about the hand crank radio, just why would that be a 'must have', what information is likely to come over the waves that would be of any use?

Weather reports?

Generator - maybe - I was looking at solar powered options, or inverters that connect to my car battery, but most of these types of power sources will still need fuel which can't be stored indoors or will perhaps be stolen by others if stored outside. Right now I've pretty much decided on installing a wood stove.

Don't forget wind power. If you live in an area that usually has wind, a small (4 feet wide) turbine can give you 400 W and cost almost half of what a solar panel with the same power costs. It's also easier to repair, if needed.

[quintessentone]

Weather reports?


Don't forget wind power. If you live in an area that usually has wind, a small (4 feet wide) turbine can give you 400 W and cost almost half of what a solar panel with the same power costs. It's also easier to repair, if needed.

The wind power options I've seen from regular people setting up what is available does not seem to work very well in areas that are somewhat built up. What I mean is that the wind is diverted/slowed down by hitting structures so much so that the blades of the unit don't even move. What is then needed is to elevate the unit up something ridiculous like 30' (from memory, it was a ridiculous height) off the ground or even more and away from structures, which would entail building some sort of tower just for the unit. 

I don't get wild destructive weather in my location, so weather reports aren't needed.

As for music, my daughter's finance is a musician...guitarist and singer, so we will keep him busy entertaining us and my daughter is practicing her singing skills...so we got music and song.

Do I really want to know what the authorities are doing? Why do I think they won't be doing much?

[ANNEE]

I think aliens are too advanced to be bothered with us because of our destructive ways.

Possibly so -- but I don't want to derail your thread.

So - they can stay home for now 

[ANNEE]

Weather reports?


Don't forget wind power. If you live in an area that usually has wind, a small (4 feet wide) turbine can give you 400 W and cost almost half of what a solar panel with the same power costs. It's also easier to repair, if needed.

Cool idea -- I need one.

[ArMaP]

The wind power options I've seen from regular people setting up what is available does not seem to work very well in areas that are somewhat built up. What I mean is that the wind is diverted/slowed down by hitting structures so much so that the blades of the unit don't even move. What is then needed is to elevate the unit up something ridiculous like 30' (from memory, it was a ridiculous height) off the ground or even more and away from structures, which would entail building some sort of tower just for the unit. 

That's why I said "if you live in an area that usually has wind". Some places have almost constant strong winds, some never have wind.

[fwki]

Wind and/or solar generation is essential, the mix depending on local conditions, not expensive if you start small and add on later.  Any power generation will need storage and the battery tech LiFePo is huge step forward.  Six 100w PV panels on roof top of a 20x10 ft shed and 4 x 100 Ah batteries can power a large chest freezer and all your devices battery chargers 24/7/365.

Edit to add.... I made block ice in gallon plastic bottles for all my neighbors during our last big hurricane outage... It would great for barter in a shtf situation.

[chr0naut]

Hop in a car with a stack of guns and head out at random for 'another state'/'the mountains'.

Works in all the movies!

You should prep by doing it before TSHTF to get the feel of it, and don't skimp by buying petrol, because if the power is off, the petrol won't pump. Also, buying food is a bit of a cheat too.

See how far you get.



Anyway, more seriously, for major planetary disasters/nuclear warfare, have you considered getting off-planet, deep underground or undersea?

Also, in most situations there will be countries that are noncombattant and remote from many disasters. Those might be an option but you probably need some sort of transport and navigation to get there.

[fwki]

As a newly fledged prepper, so far I have stored water and food and have learned how to collect/find, filter and heat water to boiling using candles and/or my outdoor fire pit or charcoal BBQ. I also have direct access to an exposed underground water hole my basement where I can directly bail water then filter it.

I am studying and making my own medicines as well as I will be planting specific plants for the medicine and food. I am storing bulk items which supposedly will be of great valuable to people if or when TSHTF, such as salt, fire-making items, medicines, first aid items etc. I have started to store bulk alcohol to also use for first aid/medicinal purposes.

I was debating on how to keep warm so I bought mylar blankets and my first 'go to' would be to make a small enclosed mylar-lined tented area in my home for sleeping, while also weatherproofing doors/windows with layers of cardboard, blankets and mylar, then using radiant candle heaters - lots of them. But now I am seriously considering installing a wood burning stove to make as my first 'go to', then I can always fall back on my other plan if wood becomes unavailable.

We have plans for my daughter's fiance to take a shooting/firearm's course and buy firearm(s). Myself and my partner already know how to handle a firearm, I just let my license slip and can't be bothered to renew it, but we only need one licensed member who can buy multiple firearms and we'll just use them, if needed. But we intend to, or hope that, our neighbors will congregate to form a small group where we all will help each other and assign specific jobs to those with existing expertise, such as hunting animals for meat, nursing/doctoring, farming, etc.

I would like to know what I have missed and/or what your prepper life looks like if you would be so kind to share.

I think it's cool that you want to learn these skills, even if the s does not htf. It builds self confidence and you learn fun things some of which become hobbies or alternate means of earning.
When we started with growing vegetables and herbs, it was laughable but now my wife is pretty damn good at it. Same with preserving foods and my alt power service gig I have now.  What else ya gonna do with your spare time, drink and watch tv?

[ArMaP]

Also, in most situations there will be countries that are noncombattant and remote from many disasters. Those might be an option but you probably need some sort of transport and navigation to get there.

In atmosphere related events, if the event happened in the north or south hemisphere, moving to the other would help, as the winds keep them relatively separated.

But that wouldn't be that easy to do.

[chr0naut]

In atmosphere related events, if the event happened in the north or south hemisphere, moving to the other would help, as the winds keep them relatively separated.

But that wouldn't be that easy to do.

Also, for spreading contaigions, even a direct flight US to, say, Australia is going to take 15 hours plus. If the illness incubation time is short enough, people would be showing symptoms prior to arrival and so that can insulate the country a bit from the bug.

Of course, if they just let everyone in without strong mandatory quarantine, then they'll just have the same problems.

Of course, a deadly bug with a really long incubation but high infectiousness is always going to be problematic, because it will be spread far and wide before anyone even shows symptoms.