What non-electrical gadgets should we buy ?

[steevo]

As we all know, the country will probably at some stage go into a state of chaos, the world economy will go bust, there will be no food on the shelves, there may be long periods without electric and gas etc etc

I am thinking about buying non-electrical gadgets that may help us to survive during the times of chaos. Electrical gadgets could quite probably become worthless in the future so we need to make sure we stop wasting our money NOW. We need to spend any savings we may have before our money becomes worthless.

Maybe we could buy things like a pasta making rolling machine that I saw Jamie Oliver use to make fresh pasta from flour and eggs.

A wheat grinder to make bread (assuming we have an oven to cook it in and that we have got some wheat lol).

A potters wheel.

A drill that works mechanically.

Wind up torches.

My ideas are not too brilliant. Has anyone got any BETTER ideas ? All ideas are very welcome :)

[lizzy]

Oil lamps.....Aladdin are very pretty and effective, stock up on lamp oil.LOL.
Windup short wave am /fm radio
Solar powered laptop ...there are around.

[white horse]

Wind up torches.



Good idea! I got one for Leeds fest last year... uses LEDs and is very economical and quite a bright light. Only last a couple of hours before it needs winding again, but I would put one in my 2012 survival kit for sure!

[shelflife]

I just bought a portable gas cooker (under £20 including 4 butane cannisters) on a hunch that it might come in handy one day. Am I mad :confused:

Anyone else got Nukalert ? (check out the .com)

[white horse]

I just bought a portable gas cooker (under £20 including 4 butane cannisters) on a hunch that it might come in handy one day. Am I mad :confused:

Anyone else got Nukalert ? (check out the .com)

I got one for Leeds fest, it was excellent. Problem is how long will the butane last? A few weeks?

[them]

Flint & Steel

http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01253/Hotspots%20in%20Europe/swiss_army_knife.jpghttp://www.adventure1.co.uk/media/flint_military_small.jpg
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/images%20shop/418axe.jpghttp://www.kitchenaria.com/images/uploads/king-wood-handled-chef-knife.jpeg
http://www.medem.com/MEDEM/images/ama/ama_brain_stroke_lev20_thebraineffectsstroke_01.gi f

[garth]

I got one for Leeds fest, it was excellent. Problem is how long will the butane last? A few weeks?

I get about 15 boils of the kettle from a can or cooking a main meal and 10 boils of the kettle, so a can lasts about a day on heavy use...stockpile cans!!

or build a browns gas/HHO gas torch then you can cook using water as fuel!

[newfiesheep666]

As we all know, the country will probably at some stage go into a state of chaos, the world economy will go bust, there will be no food on the shelves, there may be long periods without electric and gas etc etc

I am thinking about buying non-electrical gadgets that may help us to survive during the times of chaos. Electrical gadgets could quite probably become worthless in the future so we need to make sure we stop wasting our money NOW. We need to spend any savings we may have before our money becomes worthless.

Maybe we could buy things like a pasta making rolling machine that I saw Jamie Oliver use to make fresh pasta from flour and eggs.

A wheat grinder to make bread (assuming we have an oven to cook it in and that we have got some wheat lol).

A potters wheel.

A drill that works mechanically.

Wind up torches.

My ideas are not too brilliant. Has anyone got any BETTER ideas ? All ideas are very welcome :)
Remember our grandparents got by with only basic tools,and beasts of burden were their machines and transport.If you live in a city it doesn't matter because you can't live off the land.In rural areas you can do alot better,the rat race for food is less intense.If the power and fuel are lost in big cities get ready for a "Mad Max" situation with roaming gangs of people,like in New Orleans.I've found more of a all for one mentality in rural areas and look out for #1 in the cities.The underworld and overworld are in battle every day for our poor souls and nothing will stop that from continuing.Learning how to make our own electricity is not that hard,even batteries can be homemade.The main thing is to escape the city first or move to the less populated areas sooner rather than later that gives you a head start.One thing is for sure,the mice (that's us)chasin' the cheese are multiplying and the cheese is disappearing very quickly.It has been estimated that each one of us has 200 slaves workin' for themselves if you were to total the energy we use for transport and food.That's a big # to overcome when you calculate how you would survive in a world without fuel.Hope for the best and prepare 4 the worst is the motto we should strive for.Don't panic though only clear heads can make the best of a bad situation.

[jimijams]

Waterwise 1600 Water Distiller
http://www.juicersaustralia.com.au/waterwise_1600_water_distiller.shtml

[adimon]

Not really a gadget - but very useful indeed.

http://www.pantserinfanterie.nl/images/diemaco_c7.jpg

[swoarg]

solar powerd charger :D

[on the road]

Get a car battery to recharge empty batteries of any size.

Takes a few seconds and works like a good'un.

All you need is a set of jump leads ,some normal elecrical wire and away you go.

Word of warning though,charge it a few seconds at a time,hold the cell in your hand dont point it at your face ,when it gets hot stop charging -your empty duracell is now fully charged.:)

[thetonic]

Flint & Steel

http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01253/Hotspots%20in%20Europe/swiss_army_knife.jpghttp://www.adventure1.co.uk/media/flint_military_small.jpg
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/images%20shop/418axe.jpghttp://www.kitchenaria.com/images/uploads/king-wood-handled-chef-knife.jpeg
http://www.medem.com/MEDEM/images/ama/ama_brain_stroke_lev20_thebraineffectsstroke_01.gi f


Nice one them! MacGuyver could do it all with the one at the top and the one on the bottom

[on the road]

wind up torch and lantern sold at blacks -well handy

[steevo]

wind up torch and lantern sold at blacks -well handy

Yeah I'm after a wind up lantern at the moment. Seen them in Millets but they are £25, too much.

I will check out Blacks very soon. I also want to make sure that my lantern has WHITE LED's because there are some with a tinge of blue and I really dont like it, it give me a bad feeling seeing blue light, it dont seem natural somehow.

Anyway, I have a few of those torches, you cant have too many of them.

We need to act quickly to get all these gadgets because the shit could hit the fan tomorrow and we are fucked.

[cloudgazer]

Ok, I've already posted this somewhere else, but I really like this survival book.

How To Stay Alive in the Woods, Bradford Angier,

The newer version of this book is 20 USD, but there are older copies which are a lot cheaper. It was published in the 50s originally. But I find it easy to understand. He also has another book that gives gardening tips for even 1 acre of land. (One Acre and Security: How to Live Off the Earth Without Ruining It , Bradford Angier) <---- I don't own that book, but I'm sure it's good too

I think it's more for North Americans as far as what you can eat in the wild, plant-wise. But it has tons of survival tips, how to make a lot of your own stuff, Like soap, how to make fire in several different ways. (I should just post that), How to tan hides, how to make a bow (For shooting arrows), just different things (small and seemingly insignificant) you can use, and for what (that you might not think of yourself,... macguyver style as thetonic said).

But to sum it up, I think everything you probably own could be used for some other more useful purpose that you are unaware of.

also I would recommend taking up archery. I learned that when I was a kid, and currently have a recurve bow that I'm a pretty good shot with, it's fun too.

Even things like dead grass, moss, dead leaves, feathers, these can be used for insulation. Just an idea (got it from the book).

Learn to knit, I have recently from my mom and it's soo much fun!

If the food supply stops in the city, leave the city. Go to the country (Learn to make your own shelter, I think this book tells you how to make a very small one, but there are instructions online on how to make a wigwam or a tipi). I know a lot of you are from the UK, do you guys still have deer in the wild? For some reason I'm under the impression that they were over-hunted there in the past. Anyway, where I live there are an abundance of them and other animals too.

[on the road]

Yeah I'm after a wind up lantern at the moment. Seen them in Millets but they are £25, too much.

I will check out Blacks very soon. I also want to make sure that my lantern has WHITE LED's because there are some with a tinge of blue and I really dont like it, it give me a bad feeling seeing blue light, it dont seem natural somehow.

Anyway, I have a few of those torches, you cant have too many of them.

We need to act quickly to get all these gadgets because the shit could hit the fan tomorrow and we are fucked.

yeah these gadgets are going to be a handy man thats for sure.I remamber a post by danucrum (ithink)about diesel gennies that run on chip fat/cooking oil -now thats the way forward imo .

heat food and shelter and we've cracked it mate ;)

[adzboarder]

Fortunately I live in a very rural area, specially selected for its seclusion and safety during any chaos that were to hit the UK.

What is best about my house is that there's a Rayburn so I can basically burn wood to heat my whole house. There is a pump that pumps water around all the radiators so if I can get solar or a generator to power that then I'm laughing.

I am learning to bake bread using the rayburn so have an idea about stockpiling the ingredients to become the local baker in a post apocalyptic uk.

My woodshed contains several axes and a sharpening tool so will always have fuel to burn from the nearby and frequent areas of woodland. Several handsaws too.

There are animals around here, so my catapult and big stash of ball bearings will be ready for that and to use during any kind of assault on my property.

I got several wind-up torches so one for each of my family so lighting is covered.

When I have some cash I'm getting a generator and a stockpile of fuel for that to power my computer. Maybe look into getting some solar power as well.

Stockpiling Water, tinned foods, pasta, rice and other essential food items. My neighbour grows veg and this year we're starting an allotment together so hopefully the veggies will be available and there is an orchard nearby too :rolleyes:

There really ought to be a good stash of weed and rolling papers and of course plenty of matches.

In the event of a lethal dust cloud I have all the gaffer tape and tarpaulin I am going to need to seal my house and a plan is in place to get the things outside in my shed in should the need arise, and I also need to think about protecting crops - any ideas on that anyone?

I feel good about it all really, some good prep and free thinking and you should be able to live comfortably.

[steevo]

Fortunately I live in a very rural area, specially selected for its seclusion and safety during any chaos that were to hit the UK.

What is best about my house is that there's a Rayburn so I can basically burn wood to heat my whole house. There is a pump that pumps water around all the radiators so if I can get solar or a generator to power that then I'm laughing.

I am learning to bake bread using the rayburn so have an idea about stockpiling the ingredients to become the local baker in a post apocalyptic uk.

My woodshed contains several axes and a sharpening tool so will always have fuel to burn from the nearby and frequent areas of woodland. Several handsaws too.

There are animals around here, so my catapult and big stash of ball bearings will be ready for that and to use during any kind of assault on my property.

I got several wind-up torches so one for each of my family so lighting is covered.

When I have some cash I'm getting a generator and a stockpile of fuel for that to power my computer. Maybe look into getting some solar power as well.

Stockpiling Water, tinned foods, pasta, rice and other essential food items. My neighbour grows veg and this year we're starting an allotment together so hopefully the veggies will be available and there is an orchard nearby too :rolleyes:

There really ought to be a good stash of weed and rolling papers and of course plenty of matches.

In the event of a lethal dust cloud I have all the gaffer tape and tarpaulin I am going to need to seal my house and a plan is in place to get the things outside in my shed in should the need arise, and I also need to think about protecting crops - any ideas on that anyone?

I feel good about it all really, some good prep and free thinking and you should be able to live comfortably.

I BET you DO feel GOOD about it, well done mate. I am trying to do something similar to you but unfortunately I wont be able to move to the country. Today bought loads of new stuff. I bought a couple of new saws, an axe, a crowbar, a blow torch and other stuff. I also want loads of other tools so that I can make whatever I need in the future. I already have alot of the essentials like the wind up torches etc but need one more i think. I want a big solar panel to charge up car batteries just so I can have some electric when necessary. When I buy anything now I make sure they are top quality and tough. I need some new walking boots which I am willing to spend up to about £100, a good pair of boots is essential. Things like a good coat should not be overlooked too IMO, I have quite a few now. I have stocked up in food but need lots more. I keep talking about learning how to cook bread but need to get around to that. I am doing tons of preparation for what might be coming in the future and I too feel pretty good about it :) But there is still loads to do, I have made a list.
Another thing I'm doing is teaching myself some basics of how dynamos work and stuff like that, to do with renewable energy (or whatever it's called) so that I can be useful in a long term survival situation.
Also I'm gonna stock up in essential oils (like lavender) for medical reasons etc.
There is so much to do and so little time (maybe), it's a mad rush for me at the moment.
Luckily, my other half is with me all the way in this. Everytime I buy something, like the axe for exmple, I think "she must think I'm mad" but we discuss it and she agrees with me but we have a laugh and joke about it so that's good :D

[adzboarder]

The other important thing we've forgotten is bicycles and a stash of spare tyres and inner tubes. Although I plan to return to using horses, a push-bike will be a good mode of transport and you don't have to feed it.

There wont be many tyres made in a post-apocalyptic uk...

Good stuff, good idea with the electricals, probably my weakest area, but I am planning on making a simple solar charger for my Nintendo DS so we can at least play Mario Kart when we're feeling pissed off... :D

[steevo]

The other important thing we've forgotten is bicycles and a stash of spare tyres and inner tubes. Although I plan to return to using horses, a push-bike will be a good mode of transport and you don't have to feed it.

There wont be many tyres made in a post-apocalyptic uk...

Good stuff, good idea with the electricals, probably my weakest area, but I am planning on making a simple solar charger for my Nintendo DS so we can at least play Mario Kart when we're feeling pissed off... :D

LOL @ Nintendo DS :D

We have bikes, so thanks for reminding me about inner tubes I forgot about that. Also I will get another puncture repair kit or two.

[adzboarder]

Or ten.

Yeah we will need Nintendo during the dark days, and the screens are so bright they can double up as a torch :D

[steevo]

Some more good things to buy are :-

-A hand drill (and drill bits)
-A pop rivet gun (and rivets (I got one of them but need more rivets)
-Sturdy good quality hand saws
-Crow Bar
-One of those hand saws that fold like a pen knife
-Wet and dry paper
-Sheet metal cutters
-Bolt cutter
-Pipe cutter
-A small supply of thin scrap sheet metal (similar to what the cover on your video recorder/dvd player is made of)
-Tools for shaping wood (I need to look into that one)

[adzboarder]

Cripes man, are you the A-Team or something!?

I got the crowbar, handy weapon that. And saws and axes. I'm thinking I'll be using more natural products like wood that will need cutting, not planning on any metalwork really, but I see your point.

[kblood]

Nice one them! MacGuyver could do it all with the one at the top and the one on the bottom

He only needs a paperclip and a piece of string, and he could make a lifeboat (rubber boat?), a parachute or whatever else might come in handy like a car that runs on garbage.

When I first saw that solar powered laptops had been made, I got the same idea as this thread. I previously didnt think much about laptops or computers would be something that could be used without a power source. A solar powered car would be nice as well. There are even rechargers for cellphones now that runs on solar cells, problem is the masts probably wont last. Satalite phones ought to work though, so I guess satalite phones would come in handy.

In the perfect conditions, then it would be to live near a river or waterfall and have a water powered generator to run everything, along with a few windmills. If Denmark wasnt going to be flooded, we ought to have power not needed anything but renewable energy, if we lowered our power useage. There was a storm a year or two ago I think it was, and because of the heavy wind, Denmark was for a short while powered 100% by windmills :D Having a company like Vestas does come in handy, and they are just one in 2 or 3 major wind mill industries based in Denmark.

[kblood]

Oh, a crossbow would be handy, or at least a bow. If all that other stuff is going to be needed, then hunting will be as well. And then I guess other stuff like a good scythe would be needed as well.

[adzboarder]

Or machete, of which you can be prosecuted under the serious organised crime act simply for owning... wankers!

[numbersix]

Buy a small portable barbeque grill and stock up on charcoal.., matches etc


Also a fair few books on self sufficiency show you how to make your own charcoal from wood and turf.
In the not too distant future you will also be able to stock up on tins of beans
etc which generally have a 4 to 5 year shelf life although apparently they can still be eaten for some years after that!!!

[beldazar]

guess i will be needing my own personal rambo :D Errr, ive got a tent.....

[cheeney1]

wind up latterns , and wind up radios for a start and a good ole fashioned charcoal BBQ

[lightcodes]

http://www.efoodsdirect.com/

Emergency storable food supply for disasters.

The food lasts 12 -15 years in storage for if/when needed. Can get a few years worth of food!

Nice quote from the site!

What is a useless eater?

We have to store food for our families if we are going to stay free and stay alive. When we see the term "useless eaters" used against the "undesirables" whether they are old folks, the sick, the poor, Christians, ethnic groups or political dissenters, it doesn't leave any question in my mind as to whether food is intended as the control mechanism of choice. Food has been, is now and forever will be the international media of power.
You'll never have to stand in a breadline if you have your own bread.
Do what it takes to store food now.
I've got mine–you must get yours.

[ticker]

Great ideas everyone. Any advice for a teenager still living at home with parents whom I'm sure would rather spend their money on pretty much anything that wasn't mentioned in this thread?:D

TiCkEr

[cheeney1]

Great ideas everyone. Any advice for a teenager still living at home with parents whom I'm sure would rather spend their money on pretty much anything that wasn't mentioned in this thread?:D

TiCkEr

How about A led Disprin.......:rolleyes:

[fenriswulf]

Check out; http://www.afrigadget.com/category/ingenuity/
http://opensourcemachine.org/

some powered and some not, try the sugar/yeast generator for power!

Some other ideas; a solar cooker and a underground fridge.

[gordysmit]

Any one said a good tent LOL

[homebrew1973]

As well as the dynamo lantern and torches and solar-powered battery chargers the latest thing I bought myself is the Freeloader, great for charging mobile phones and consoles etc, one charge of it`s battery charged both my mobiles and DS (which were all at 50%) and it`ll even charge (albeit trickle) when it`s cloudy :)

[bones]

Check out; http://www.afrigadget.com/category/ingenuity/
http://opensourcemachine.org/

some powered and some not, try the sugar/yeast generator for power!

Some other ideas; a solar cooker and a underground fridge.

tp://www.afrigadget.com/category/ingenuity/


dont go there i got virus warning!!!

[bones]

well im prepering for the global /economic downfall.

ive got a crew cab truck for my family flat bed to stock up suplies,diesel stored too, petrol has only 6 months shelf life so becareful!!
is that right?
all power tools/ chainsaws drills etc. ive taken construction skills and am a qualifed landscaper and bricky.
so far enough food for 3 months (and still growing) 6 of us here
tents and camping gear.
water,medical supplies.
survival books (sas edition) and ray mears books.
location incase we have to move.
many seeds for planting veg and how to store foods.
lighter flints and cooking utensils,knives and axes.
im converting my garden now for veg plot and have knowledge how to do from previouse home.

all supplies are still growing fast.

question? i can see many problems from jan 2009 when the lisbon treaty comes into force, i would like to know what other members have in mind relating to economic decline approximate dates etc?

[beldazar]

Sorry guys but Im gonna have to add this one...

I read a book about the aborigines and they get their women to save up their used sanitary towels to use on wounds, its meant to heal fantastically.
I had to add this cos it may be very handy! :eek:

[madthumbs]

Knowledge is the most important thing. Materials can weigh you down.

[steevo]

question? i can see many problems from jan 2009 when the lisbon treaty comes into force, i would like to know what other members have in mind relating to economic decline approximate dates etc?

I have know idea but I'm assuming it could be tommorrow so then I am always prepared, but unfortunately I still have lots of preparations, I need to get more food supplies in urgently.

Sorry guys but Im gonna have to add this one...

I read a book about the aborigines and they get their women to save up their used sanitary towels to use on wounds, its meant to heal fantastically.
I had to add this cos it may be very handy! :eek:

Great idea beledazar but unfortunately I dont know any aborigines :eek: ;) but if I did I would sell them on ebay (the tampons not the women) :D

Knowledge is the most important thing. Materials can weigh you down.

I agree.

[beldazar]

Haha, very funny steevo :D

[jimmi]

OK, I'm taking this one seriously.
The single most important thing you're all going to need is clean drinking water and it used to be a part of my former 'job' to teach people how to get it.
Various distillation techniques are readily accessible to learn for yourselves on 'survival' websites, go look and learn, knowledge is power.
Now the advertisement....Katadyn are the no.1 manufacturer of water filters used by proffessionals in the outdoor pursuits industries and the military as well as aid agencies worldwide. I personally vouch for their use from many years experience. There are other brands available e.g. M.S.R. but I've not used them. There is a Ray Mears endorsed filter available for £20, but because of its small size does not have the longevity of more expensive filters.
Field and Trek the outdoor pursuits suppliers currently have a twenty per cent off deal, I've just bought a 'mini' for £63.99, which I'm saving for the use of my girlfriend and I when the inevitable shit hits the proverbial.

[stickwhistler]

OK, I'm taking this one seriously.
The single most important thing you're all going to need is clean drinking water and it used to be a part of my former 'job' to teach people how to get it.
Various distillation techniques are readily accessible to learn for yourselves on 'survival' websites, go look and learn, knowledge is power.



This is a method used widely in impoverished areas.
It works. It is cheap. You can make it yourself for about £10.
http://www.cawst.org/index.php?id=128

I made a water filter that cost less than £10 in a swing top bin.
The recommendation is for at least 65cm sand, so get a tall one,
or get a wheely bin to make one in - then you can move it about too.
PVC or copper pipe will do. Sand - beach/builders merchants for
a couple of quid per bag.

Download the pdf. Make it. Filter any water you like, and it comes out clean.
No filter removes dissolved chemicals - unless they have special units - so
collect your rainwater - barrels + diverters.
Filter it through the bio-sand filter,
and you have a clean water supply for a few quid.
Read the information available at the link, or search bio sand filters on google.

It works for me. Independent water supply of barrels, pipe, pump & filters for less than £300 total cost at 2008 prices.

[kblood]

http://www.afrigadget.com/category/ingenuity/

yea this one seems to have a virus, according to my Avast.

[quest]

Ever since I saw the Volcano kettle / Kelly Kettle mentioned on another thread I've thought it would be one of the most useful things to have http://www.kellykettle.com/.


Simple and easy to use.
No running costs.
No open fire - Fire is contained within the kettle.
Works in extreme weather.
Lightweight, Compact, & Durable
Suitable For Humanitarian Aid
Extremely Fuel Efficient
Vital Item For Emergency Kits
Works with any fuel: sticks, dry grass, heather, bark, pine cones, and even camel dung! or Beldazar's used sanitary towels (maybe!)
Can be carried onto planes.
Available in 2.5 pints and compact 1 pint sizes
The Ultimate Survivalist's Tool
Carbon Nuetral & Eco-friendly
Boil Water & Cook at the same time!



The fact it can be carried on planes sounded hilarious! I would love to use one to brew up on a plane, using camel dung!

I contacted that company to see if they did a stainless steel version 'cos I didn't want an aluminium one . Although they don't do one at the moment, they said they will be developing a s.steel model by the summer and would let me know.

[steevo]

Ever since I saw the Volcano kettle / Kelly Kettle mentioned on another thread I've thought it would be one of the most useful things to have http://www.kellykettle.com/.


Simple and easy to use.
No running costs.
No open fire - Fire is contained within the kettle.
Works in extreme weather.
Lightweight, Compact, & Durable
Suitable For Humanitarian Aid
Extremely Fuel Efficient
Vital Item For Emergency Kits
Works with any fuel: sticks, dry grass, heather, bark, pine cones, and even camel dung! or Beldazar's used sanitary towels (maybe!)
Can be carried onto planes.
Available in 2.5 pints and compact 1 pint sizes
The Ultimate Survivalist's Tool
Carbon Nuetral & Eco-friendly
Boil Water & Cook at the same time!



The fact it can be carried on planes sounded hilarious! I would love to use one to brew up on a plane, using camel dung!

I contacted that company to see if they did a stainless steel version 'cos I didn't want an aluminium one . Although they don't do one at the moment, they said they will be developing a s.steel model by the summer and would let me know.

I agree, the Kelly Kettle is very useful. I feel the same as you though, I wont buy one cos they are made of alluminium. I will wait for a stainless steel one. It makes you wonder though why they use alluminium, can this company really be trusted ?:cool:

[adzboarder]

They look pretty good, how does it work exactly?

Could do with a video or explanation on their site.

Whats up with alluminium?

[steevo]

They look pretty good, how does it work exactly?

Could do with a video or explanation on their site.

Whats up with alluminium?

It's toxic apparantly and can cause things like cancer and alzheimers. Aluminium is not the most stable of metals either so it can easily react with anything it comes in contact with creating other toxic substances.

There is a thread on the forum all about the Kelly Kettle, I will have a look for it.

[steevo]

Here is the thread Adzboarder, it is mentioned in here :-
http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15603

[cruise4]

Suppose you have masses of .pdf files on a DVD, like I have. Has anyone got any clever ways to read them should electric items cease to work?

[kblood]

Laptops can get to be powered by solar power, and there is probably other ways to power them as well. Problem is that they would probably only be usuable a few hours a week at best, unless some really nice generators were massed up.

I am stocking up documentaries of all kinds. Trying to download about new subjects as I go along.

[cruise4]

I've put them on DVD's so they can't be affected by EMP's or Solar Flares etc.
We need a hand cranked DVD reader than can translate PDF's. If I tried to print them I'd have a room full of paper. But the laptop would do for what you needed at that point maybe.

[ashur]

This is a good thread but this is my ideal.

To research and find out how to get things at the bare minimum from thing around you. Like making a fire from stuff that is always around. That is a good example. So you have fire. But you still need wood to fuel the fire or something to keep it going right?

So what if you could invent a way to create the means for any individual to thrive in mostly any conditions.

That means the knowledge to create light fire, find food, and build shelters. but also to power energy, and communicate. basically the modern world but in a more natural state which is independent of ridiculous corporations that feed off Dependant people who can't be bothered educating a means to use the benefits for themself with their own knowledge, cutting out the middle man. or in this case corporation. Such as electrical companies, etc.

yeah, lets really start thinking about being self reliant. Setting ourself up and adapting to future conditions is going to require adapting to this new kind of thinking. Which involves using the resources of nature to create everything and anything you need. Without the silly money slavery cult of plastic paper and notes, coins. that we are currently living under. Lets place real value in labor. Practical knowledge and wisdom of how to achieve self sustaining technology that actually is aligned with our spirituality and common sense. This is surely what the elite have always been afraid of us acting on.

Just a few thoughts

[kblood]

I've put them on DVD's so they can't be affected by EMP's or Solar Flares etc.
We need a hand cranked DVD reader than can translate PDF's. If I tried to print them I'd have a room full of paper. But the laptop would do for what you needed at that point maybe.

There are also solar powered cell phones, maybe PDAs? They ought to be able to do the job as well. I am sure the Ipod can read PDF. I think my Nokia N73 could read PDFs. The newest phones today can hold up to 4gb, some even 8gb. That ought to be enough for any PDF collection I know of. Even my documentary collection so far.

There also is those handheld DVD players. With 7" TFT screen. They probably dont use much power either.

[steevo]

Just get a printer and print them all off. I need to do that, I still havent got my printer yet :o
When you print them off you can put each "book" in one of those cheap plastic binder things that clamp the whole of the left hand side of the paper together. Also if you are thrifty you can find good quality cheap soft pvc wallets that you can store them in. I saw some for £3 the other week and didnt buy any :(

[kblood]

Just get a printer and print them all off. I need to do that, I still havent got my printer yet :o
When you print them off you can put each "book" in one of those cheap plastic binder things that clamp the whole of the left hand side of the paper together. Also if you are thrifty you can find good quality cheap soft pvc wallets that you can store them in. I saw some for £3 the other week and didnt buy any :(

That would be the safest bet. What needs to be done first is reading or at least skimming those PDFs and try to figure out which ones would be the most important. Also I guess books on algebra and so on would be important, because if it is scientific books, it would help in the long run to actually be able to look up those fancy symbols ;)

Engineering for dummies and such. The basic stuff is the most important, because if we loose that we would be back to square one anyway. Having to evolve to figure out higher mathematics and such. I know many know about these and there are many teachers, but mouth to ear just isnt a good solution for 5-10 years.

[mightiswrong]

Seeds and I don't mean Mosanto type crap.

[quest]

Thanks Steevo for mentioning the kelly kettle thread. I should have done a search and added it when I resurrected the topic.

Perhaps it's cost that makes them use aluminuium, or maybe it's easier to mould? Anyway, I noticed they have a blurb on their site that states there is not enough evidence against aluminium which is what prompted me in the first place to contact them about the s.s alternative!

[cruise4]

"Engineering for dummies and such. The basic stuff is the most important, because if we loose that we would be back to square one anyway. Having to evolve to figure out higher mathematics and such. I know many know about these and there are many teachers, but mouth to ear just isnt a good solution for 5-10 years."

I totally agree kblood. My collection includes loads of Engineering, Equations, optics, astronomy... you name it. I was thinking of burying multiple copies in earth pipes, in multiple places.

But the issue then becomes how to read them again, so you understand why I'm asking the questions and why a laptop or electronic device may not be a feasible reading device.

I know the ancients did it with Stone tablets but not feasible this time. :D

[adzboarder]

Here is the thread Adzboarder, it is mentioned in here :-
http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15603

Ahh thats good man!

I went camping last weekend and used an MOD hexacycline (or something) stove/burner. I used 2 blocks of the solid fuel and was able to boil enough water for 4 teas, so it worked pretty well. No doubt anything issued by the MOD is designed to fuck up the troops so I hate to think how toxic this shit is when burned - but fuck it, I had tea and thats all that matters.

A friend brought along his own little stove as well, he had to put twigs and shit in there but it worked well as it had a little battery operated fan underneath that boosts out the oxygen supply for the fire, it worked great. Cooked egg sangers on that bad boy.

A strong selection of camping equipment is well needed, a good thermarest mattress and a MOD issued sleeping bag should do the trick for all your sleeping needs.

[jammer]

The Swedish Army Trangia Stoves are really good for about £10, they use methylated spirits as fuel which is great until you run out of fuel. I'd recommend a Kelly Kettle (aka "volcano kettle") you can boil 2.5 pints of water in a few seconds and you can use them to cook as you would any other stove, they use anything flammable as fuel (twigs, leaves etc.) Irish Fishermen have been using them for hundreds of years.

[psych641]

Compass & detailed maps for the region - geographical + street for large towns.
I also have the entire OS series on disc.

fishing equipment,
mountain bike.

remember, a bike needs to be maintained, theres a 100 things that can break/wear leaving it useless. If you do epic rides across remote country, then youll develop the skills and get familiar with the tools you need to fix trailside problems, or survive being stranded.

[kriss_crow]

This is a method used widely in impoverished areas.
It works. It is cheap. You can make it yourself for about £10.
http://www.cawst.org/index.php?id=128

I made a water filter that cost less than £10 in a swing top bin.
The recommendation is for at least 65cm sand, so get a tall one,
or get a wheely bin to make one in - then you can move it about too.
PVC or copper pipe will do. Sand - beach/builders merchants for
a couple of quid per bag.

marvelous idea, stickwhistler!
Thanks, you inspired me to built one.
I will start from mini-filter to see how it will work and
also - to resolve some technical aspects before I
go for a big one.
One thing - I dont understand what is this "diffuser plate"?
http://www.cawst.org/assets/Image/sectionimage_biosand_filter.jpg

[kriss_crow]

A strong selection of camping equipment is well needed, a good thermarest mattress and a MOD issued sleeping bag should do the trick for all your sleeping needs.

Good point about sleeping bag and mattress.
I added those to my equipment recently.
Also mountain shoes, water ressistant jacket, trousers,
good quality, endurable clothing.

Im looking for this book in pdf:
http://www.survival-school.org/DesktopModules/yetanotherforum.net/image.aspx?a=162

It's great book - I would recommend it everyone here in first place.
someone can send it to me?
or - question to moderators - what about little library on this forum??

[stickwhistler]

One thing - I dont understand what is this "diffuser plate"?
http://www.cawst.org/assets/Image/sectionimage_biosand_filter.jpg

The diffuser plate is there to stop the sand under it being swirled about, which disturbs the biological layer and the sand structure too much.
The sand layer really needs to be at least 60cm deep.

Here is a newer filter, and diagram, I made 3 months ago,
and is working fine to date.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/stickwhistler/Newbiosandfilter.jpg

and a photo of it

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/stickwhistler/screeninsitu.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/stickwhistler/WaterScreen.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/stickwhistler/NewFilter.jpg

Total cost including the water butt from a well known DIY store near you.
.

1 x 25kg bag of pebbles, 7 x 25kg bags of sand were needed to make the filter. 200 kilos weight!
I used 15mm copper pipe because it was available, but PVC would easily do the job for 99p from the same place as the water butt.
Either bend the PVC pipe by heating it in hot water, or carefully using a blowtorch, or use 90 degree joints at extra cost to get the correct shape as per the diagram.
The sand cost approx £2 per bag, the pebbles approx £4. Assuming that PVC pipe was used at £1, the total cost for the filter works out at £34.

It delivers 1/2 litres of water per minute i.e. chuck in 10 litres of water,
20 minutes later you have 10 litres clean filtered water out.
After 3 weeks I tested the output using a test kit, and the water is bacteria free as per the test colour i.e. it stayed purple = bacteria free.

I made this to show that anyone could do it, using easily available materials, for comparatively very little cost.
On the filter shown the bottom tap is above the pebble layer, so if it is used, it merely blocks with sand.
The barrel came fitted with the tap.
There are better barrels available, but as I wrote above, the one used can be got from almost anywhere in the UK for about £15.

The filter, or any heavy weight can be moved easily by using a platform like this.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/stickwhistler/platformtop.jpg

Bottom of platform showing big bolt heads.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m43/stickwhistler/platformbottom.jpg

You have to balance the filter on one bolt head by tipping it carefully so that the weight is balanced over one bolt, and turn the platform.
This is similar to 'walking' a heavy box or piece of furniture.
See forgottentechnology.com, or search for Wally Wallington to get a better idea of moving heavy weights.
The filter above weights about 300kg with all the sand and water inside,
and is easily moved about to suit us.

I hope this is useful to you :)

[kriss_crow]

The diffuser plate is there to stop the sand under it being swirled about, which disturbs the biological layer and the sand structure too much.

Hi, stickwistler! ;]
Thanks a lot; great manual!
Plain and clear.
And - "diffuser" - is quite important part of it indeed..
I've started looking for a barrel of the right size!

ps. flower pot with celtic cross on the bottom..hehe

[marpat]

Fishing rod
Rifle (if you eat meat)
Snares (if you eat meat)
Flint and steel for fire making
magnifying glass for making fire
An axe or machete for various heavy cutting purposes
Small knives for general uses

[steevo]

Hi Stickwhistler, thanks very much for posting some great info that everyone could easily use. Do you happen to know if there is any particular type of sand and pebbles we should get (or avoid for that matter) ? Also, would you say that the filterer in your pictures would remove fluoride from tap water or would it be best to use rain water ? And how long before the sand and pebbles would have to be replaced ? And did you have to "prime" the sand filterer before the water became drinkable ?

[stickwhistler]

Hi Stickwhistler, thanks very much for posting some great info that everyone could easily use. Do you happen to know if there is any particular type of sand and pebbles we should get (or avoid for that matter) ?

I used ordinary builders sand from my local builders merchants.
The pebbles are 10mm max i.e. about marble size.


Also, would you say that the filterer in your pictures would remove fluoride from tap water or would it be best to use rain water ?

The bio-sand filter will not remove fluoride.
The set up you see collects rainwater from my roof,
which we use for drinking and cooking.


And how long before the sand and pebbles would have to be replaced ? And did you have to "prime" the sand filterer before the water became drinkable ?

The sand never need replacing as such.
What happens is that the gaps between the sand get smaller,
so the filter gets better.

A biological layer or slime develops over the sand,
and traps/kills/eats nasty things like worms/insects/eggs.
Eventually - depending on how 'dirty' the water put into the
filter is - this (schmutzdecke) bio- layer will block any water
getting through, thus failing safe.
To make the filter work again:
Block outlet (bung) - fill with water, and swirl the
water and top few inches of sand until mixed up.
Allow the sand to settle for a few minutes.
Scoop the water ( now a bio-soup!) out and dispose of
e.g. put on the compost heap etc.
refill with water, remove bung = working again.
No sand (or very little) thrown out.

'They' reckon that the filter is OK to use after two days
i.e. build it, keep putting water in to filter - throw away,
for 2 days before use. The filter will filter down to
less than 1 micron = no bacteria.

It will not remove some virii (viruseses!) 0.002 microns,
so to be absolutely sure boil in an ordinary kettle.
65 degrees C kills virii - IIRC.
That's what we do, and we are healthy and well.


More info here.http://www.cawst.org/index.php?id=128

[steevo]

Awesome info stickwhistler! Thanks again mate :)

[tom bombadil]

Here is my two pennith. You can ignore the rant at the beginning if ya like.

I think that the "sh!t" as such wont hit the fan but be slowly introduced so we dont smell it. We are all at the moment being sh@fted by the leccy and gas companies already. Food has shot up, not just cos it has to, but cos it needs to to keep us in a tight spot.


With that in mind....and bearing in mind that a lot of us live in towns and cities.

First get a wood burning stove (£200) Small is fine but make sure that you can put one or two pots on the top to cook stuff, and a supply of wood to last 6 months (not hard or expensive if you buy in bulk and season it yourself (prices vary). The tools you need are a hand axe (not a big felling axe) a spliter axe (£20) or hand cranked 10 ton spliter unit (£under a hundred) and a bow saw. Later get a long double handed saw (two blokes to-ing and frow-ing) for felling and cutting up trees when elsewhere.

Hide your wood stash and dont tell your neighbours or let them see it.

When in use you must keep the doors and windows closed to keep the heat in (but allow a through flow of air or you might just pop your clogs).

If you can then you could build or buy an outside garden oven for bread, you will eat a lot of bread.

All the above will enable you to wheather more than 6 months but by then you might want to get out 'o' town. When you are not spending money on gas (for heating and for warming of water) then you can still spend it on the electric bill. (remember that you are still in town but still better off than you neighbour).

You can boil water for tea and washing on the stove. You should not boil water straight from the cold tap, but store it in advance in a large vessel for the amount that you might use in any one day. This way it will warm a bit, cos it seems that most of the energy used in boiling water is used getting it up a few degrees from the cold temp that it is when it comes from the tap.

Have the stove thing repeated in the place that you are runing to but a bit bigger and this time have a solar water heater on the roof (that uses the heat from the morning light to heat water that runs through pipes within the unit and is distributed around the house to the taps and the central heating if you wish). If you have ever sat by a window on a cold day when the sun is shining then you know how hot these pipes will get.

You will need a wood supply. A chap called john Seymour wrote a book. The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency. and in it he sugests that one could get by on just one acre of woodland to provide all your needs. But in my opinion you might need double that or more (See later). Another sorce (this time from the leading authority in the land, but the bloody name has slipped me at the mo, the wood council or somesuch) suggests that you need 8 acres to get by.

In Johns case, as I read the book, I think he does it (1 acre) with a building that has been constructed with forthought to good positioning and layout, not to mention insulation. And with a wood that has been laid at 5-6 foot spaces between trees. With the other 'authority' I belive it means that the wood was already established and you are using natral wasteage and replacing in a less formal maner.

In Johns case you could buy a field and plant trees and wait for 8 years (get planting) to start your rotational reeping and copicing or polarding (better in my view) of your crop.

Can I say that if you get a chance to read that book, then you will need a pen and paper to write down all of the other stuff that will help this cause.

I am not gonna go into the food thing or growing thing cos that would be best served by another thread or site, but the wood thing is important me thinks, cos with your own wood (forest) you have free electricity.




The best bit is next.

During the world wars, they had to make do. You might have seen those photos of those vans and cars that were converted to gas. Well some of those gas cars were running off of the gas that comes from burning wood.

The other day on telly I saw a program called Planet Mechanics. On this show, two chaps did just that.

I am looking for the plans on the web. I do have the program recorded.

With this in mind you could run a generator for electricity in any house. This is why I said before that you might need more than an acre of wood land.

Give me a little time.


Tom.

[tom bombadil]

Here it is http://natgeochannel.co.uk/Programmes/EpisodeGuide.aspx?Id=670.

Planet Mechanics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Planet Mechanics -- Forget Horsepower-We're Talking Treepower - YouTube

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

ect


Tom.

[steevo]

The smoke created from wood is flammable. An experiment which shows how this works can be done with a candle. If you light a candle and then blow it out, the smoke that you see rising from the candle can be ignited by putting a flame to it and the candle re-lights.

[tom bombadil]

Yup. The heat makes the gas, and it is then ignighted. If it is taken to the engine first then it can be ignighted as the petrol vapour is by a spark plug.

[indigowarrior]

oh my gosh at last, people like me, this is an excellent topic.
thankyou everyone
i have to add, stock up on pain relief and vitamins, and antibiotics and get down to studying herbal remedies relevant to the location you are living, no point in studying chinese herbal stuff if you live in britain..
walkie talkies would be good if you stock up on batteries, short term anyway. cb radios if they still exist, find a way now of connecting this to solar panels (unless they do the lucifer project then doubtful there would be sunlight in which case we are f****d) (unless you have a very sophisticated underground shelter)

knowledge and books are needed, and a boat of some description would be good in case of flooding, keep it upstairs...:rolleyes: i always get laughed at when i say this. i mean a blowy up boat thing not an ark:o

[tom bombadil]

The brain (or rather experience) is the best tool. There, its been said again. Below is what I think you would definitely need. Others on these pages have said some of the same.

We, or most of us, spend a third of our time sleeping, another third working, with the last third, for ourselves.

A) Workout what you need at home (or away from home) if you were woken up in the middle of the night, and had to dash out, or like indigowarrior said, upstairs. there are folk out there that have a 'grab bag' by their beds, in case of emergency. And this could also include flood too. I do like the idea of a dinghy. Have one at home. Keep some shoes upstairs.

1) Change of clothes in an air-tight bag (more shoes too)
2) Time piece. Wind-up.
3) Water sterilising tablets or drops and a cup. And/or a purifier like the Katadyn.
4) Mini stove. The Kelly kettle is the best, it give heat as well, and fuel. Not gas (but fine for starters as it is quick).
5) 2 litres of water to start.
6) Hand held CB. 10km or more radius is normal. Spare batts for a week of full use. And someone with another one :p
7) Also 2 or 3 smaller hand held walky-talkies (like from ARGOS) with digital frequencies. Harder to listen into by others. And spare batts.
8) Food for a week. Dried or tinned.
9) Pots and pans and plates and cutlery ect to your liking.
10) Wind up radio.
11) Wind up torch.
12) A first aid kit.
13) A bothey (a bag that two or more folk can sit in and seal in the heat) and a space blanket or sleeping bag.
14) Notebook and pen.
15) Knife (not Rambo but hunting type) and Small Hatchet.
16) Stuff for your pets too.

To summarise. You know the deal. You have had to dash out of the house Or up into the beams. Your fuel is the wood and other crap in the loft, or if you get the chance take the drawers out and burn those later (you did get good furniture and not MDF I hope :) ). If you need to leave the house then have someone to travel with and have a destination. You might need maps ect. Have good walking boots. Be prepared to enter an empty house and take food. Be prepared to enter a house and either rescue/take/leave someone. Walk away from danger. Can you kill food? Can you identify plants? Can you prepare it all for the belly? Carry a book if not.

Have a destination.

[Lots of guys will not get to even try to use this stuff before they might have too. What is important is the ideology of being prepared for that which you fear the most. It is peace of mind. Remember that a few of the folk that were in the recent flood, DID have grab bags ready. I know this cos of another site that I used to frequent.

I don't know it all and I will add anything that I later think is worth it....like the boat idea. I never ever thought of that one, but for (what some might say is a more likely scenario) the use of one to stay alive. Genius. Also it could be used in an exodus from point A to point B, cos crossing a river or lake on a bridge will draw attention. What a time saver. So it would suit the 'survivalist and the conspiracy theorist/realist alike.

I personally think that the sh!t wont hit the fan, but will slowly release a stink on us slowly but surely. But others fear something more instant. I can see that there might be a time that I would need to get home from work (or hols) to my place of safety in a safe manner, so I will try to cover that soon. ]
I edited this last bit in cos it fits.


That was the 'If I wake in the middle of the night' scenario.






The stuck at work part will be edited in later.....YAWNNN... I am off to bed. G'nite.


Tom.

[psych641]

Now im probably going to dream tonight that im awoken to a massive tidal flood, water rapidly rising above my floor & i have to rush to get the window open before the pressure smashes or forces it shut, sealing me in a watery tomb. :eek:

I just hope i dont piss myself! :mad:

[hunger]

"Hide your wood stash and dont tell your neighbours or let them see it.

When in use you must keep the doors and windows closed to keep the heat in (but allow a through flow of air or you might just pop your clogs)."

Yeah and then your neighbour will burn your clogs as well as your wood stash! boom boom

[tom bombadil]

46) Include a nappy and baby wipes :cool:

55) Remember that wooden clogs float. :rolleyes:


Tom

[tom bombadil]

Lots of guys will not get to even try to use this stuff before they might have too. What is important is the ideology of being prepared for that which you fear the most. It is peace of mind. Remember that a few of the folk that were in the recent flood, DID have grab bags ready. I know this cos of another site that I used to frequent.

I don't know it all and I will add anything that I later think is worth it....like the boat idea. I never ever thought of that one, but for (what some might say is a more likely scenario) the use of one to stay alive. Genius. Also it could be used in an exodus from point A to point B, cos crossing a river or lake on a bridge will draw attention. What a time saver. So it would suit the 'survivalist and the conspiracy theorist/realist alike.

I personally think that the sh!t wont hit the fan, but will slowly release a stink on us slowly but surely. But others fear something more instant. I can see that there might be a time that I would need to get home from work (or hols) to my place of safety in a safe manner, so I will try to cover that soon.



Tom.

[tom bombadil]

The brain (or rather experience) is the best tool. There, its been said again. Below is what I think you would definitely need. Others on these pages have said some of the same.

We, or most of us, spend a third of our time sleeping, another third working, with the last third, for ourselves.

PART 1
A) Workout what you need at home (or away from home) if you were woken up in the middle of the night, and had to dash out, or like indigowarrior said, upstairs. there are folk out there that have a 'grab bag' by their beds, in case of emergency. And this could also include flood too. I do like the idea of a dinghy. Have one at home. Keep some shoes upstairs.

1) Change of clothes in an air-tight bag (more shoes too)
2) Time piece. Wind-up.
3) Water sterilising tablets or drops and a cup. And/or a purifier like the Katadyn.
4) Mini stove. The Kelly kettle is the best, it give heat as well, and fuel. Not gas (but fine for starters as it is quick).
5) 2 litres of water to start.
6) Hand held CB. 10km or more radius is normal. Spare batts for a week of full use. And someone with another one
7) Also 2 or 3 smaller hand held walky-talkies (like from ARGOS) with digital frequencies. Harder to listen into by others. And spare batts.
8) Food for a week. Dried or tinned.
9) Pots and pans and plates and cutlery ect to your liking.
10) Wind up radio.
11) Wind up torch.
12) A first aid kit.
13) A bothey (a bag that two or more folk can sit in and seal in the heat) and a space blanket or sleeping bag.
14) Notebook and pen.
15) Knife (not Rambo but hunting type) and Small Hatchet.
16) Stuff for your pets too.

To summarise. You know the deal. You have had to dash out of the house Or up into the beams. Your fuel is the wood and other crap in the loft, or if you get the chance take the drawers out and burn those later (you did get good furniture and not MDF I hope ). If you need to leave the house then have someone to travel with and have a destination. You might need maps ect. Have good walking boots. Be prepared to enter an empty house and take food. Be prepared to enter a house and either rescue/take/leave someone. Walk away from danger. Can you kill food? Can you identify plants? Can you prepare it all for the belly? Carry a book if not.

Have a destination.

[Lots of guys will not get to even try to use this stuff before they might have too. What is important is the ideology of being prepared for that which you fear the most. It is peace of mind. Remember that a few of the folk that were in the recent flood, DID have grab bags ready. I know this cos of another site that I used to frequent.

I don't know it all and I will add anything that I later think is worth it....like the boat idea. I never ever thought of that one, but for (what some might say is a more likely scenario) the use of one to stay alive. Genius. Also it could be used in an exodus from point A to point B, cos crossing a river or lake on a bridge will draw attention. What a time saver. So it would suit the 'survivalist and the conspiracy theorist/realist alike.

I personally think that the sh!t wont hit the fan, but will slowly release a stink on us slowly but surely. But others fear something more instant. I can see that there might be a time that I would need to get home from work (or hols) to my place of safety in a safe manner, so I will try to cover that soon. ]
I edited this last bit in cos it fits.


That was the 'If I wake in the middle of the night' scenario.



PART 2

Now for the 'If I were at work and summit happens' scenario.

The first thing to consider is how will you get to where you want to be?
In part 1 it was asumed that you were at home and were caught on the hop. You had planned what you had to hand in an instant, but could still really, if you wished, gone back for more. You were after all at home.

If you were at work though you need to decide if you should get home first and get the gear you need, or if you should go to somewhere else with what you have at work.

This includes forword planning concerning those coming with or meeting with you. For this tutorial I will asume that you are at work.

Can you leave stuff at work, (Do you have a locker)? Do you use a car, (stuff in boot)? Do you work far from home, and how far is far? Only you can decide.

The list is for those that are an hour (or more) away by whatever means. That is to say that if you go by bus then it takes you an hour from door to door. By the way, if you live on the south coast of UK then it might take a couple of hours to get to work but a few days to walk back!!! The list is long. You decide how long it will take to walk back, and that will be your maximum requirement. Any longer and you are just not trying :p

What are you prepared to do to get transport? Are you likely to take another's propety, like a bike or car? You might think that you could but I am hoping that you will not need to. You should be able to get back under your own steam, or you are being as ruthless as those that you may oppose you git :confused:



Your needs will be different from your work mates because you know the urgancy in your actions (of whatever sort) and they dont. While they may be wondering when they will get a connection on the mobile, you will have already texted home to say #### and sent an e-mail to say #### or used a landline or whatever to tell home that you are on the move (pre-planned is the way to go. If your other half of this band have not heard from you, then the first thing that they should do is to decide if what the telly is saying effects you'all. It will be working, If so, to take action).

1) Can you leave an old bike at work or close-by? It should look as if it wont get nicked by a hoody. Or a fold-up bike. By fold-up I mean a Bickerton type that fits in a small bag. This go's with you at all times. (Yeah, right!!)

2) Saddle Bags to suit. and a puncher repair kit, a spare inner-tube. Lights ect.

3) Gas stove and cook gear. (Gear list will look long but is obvious really) If you do need to travel to the south coast then you might also concider a Kelly Kettle instead. This again will depend on where you will eat your first meal, as a quick light with a gas stove is better if you are dashing around in town!! Take both and discard of the gas stove if you like. The Pocket Rockettm is small enough to hang onto.

4) Food and water. (See seperate list)

5) Water filter and/or purifying tablets.

6) Rain gear. Not for warmth but thin and light will do.

7) Portable CB radio.

8) Wind-up radio.

9) First aid kit.

10) A bothy to sleep in. With a 'space blanket' bag (a contradiction I know, but these are warmer). and your clothes, you will be warm enough at night. Another reason for a hot meal.

11) Time peice

12) A survival knife. Now here is a problem. You could hide it in your bike frame, but if walking then you could have a creadit-card sized survival multy-tool. You only need the blade to cut things and not foes :rolleyes:



Food and water list.
The water need be only enough ( 1Ltr )to get by while ypu work out how to use the purifier or filter. The food will depend on how long you will be traveling. Dried fruit, nuts, beef jerky ect on their own wont need cooking so you can do without all of the cooking gear, but a warm meal is a welcome addition to the end of your day if you still have days to go. The easyest thing for you will be those dried packets that you get in camping shops. Get a breaky, dinner and a tea-time meal for each day. And still include jerky, dried fruit ect.
You want coffee or tea, and sweetner tablets. Oxo cubes are nice too. Get a couple of orange flavour vitamin C tablets that fizz in cold water and that will cover your cravings.



Now comes how you get home.

If you are lucky then a mass exodous will be heading home. Join it and get home ASAP.

Otherwise...

If traveling by bike then have a reason to not be seen reading a map. Use smaller roads (for this you should do it at least twice before-hand) and pull off the roads to read maps and eat and sleep. Any taffic should be avoided if it looks like it is quieter than it should be for that time of day (curfue). Dont be afraid to knock on a door and explain enough to camp in the back garden. Lisen to your radio at 12 noon and then once every hour.

If going by foot then try and go by the smaller roads and paths. Have a walking stick to hand. With this you can use it to explain why you are out late and are still on your way home. For this ruse to work you will need to not only know the area you are supposedly headed in, but far enough from it to be traveling to it by foot and away from those that stopped you to find out why you are where you are in the first place. The stick should only be seen by those in authority, and not by others as it is a sign of weakness. It helps get you home in the case of authority, but will have to be used as a weapon if acosted by locals. Aim to harm. It is their own fault.



Next is the time when you have plenty of time to decide that the world is sh!t and you are off. But not right now. I am off for a poo.


Tom.

[endlessvista]

If in the city and the shit hit the fan, I think a good bicycle, camping gear and the like would be hand and head for the coast? Be warmer in winter and plenty eat for welks to seaweed which takes little to get your hands on. You could gather up bits and pieces and build a shelter into the sand dunes. Using your head and avoid sickness and you could live for years there I guess.

[exmicrochipmafia]

I have know idea but I'm assuming it could be tommorrow so then I am always prepared, but unfortunately I still have lots of preparations, I need to get more food supplies in urgently.



Great idea beledazar but unfortunately I dont know any aborigines :eek: ;) but if I did I would sell them on ebay (the tampons not the women) :D



I agree.



I don't know about the USED ones *blech*, but I know for FACT that unused, maxi-pads make FANTASTIC field dressing bandages. I actually used one on my dog when she sliced off half the bottom of her large pad on her paw and man did it work fantastically! She healed in no time. My first aid kit contains several maxi pads ever since.
One other thing that you might want to consider is a dog. Great early warning detection system. <grin>

[tom bombadil]

endlessvista said "If in the city and the shit hit the fan, I think a good bicycle, camping gear and the like would be hand and head for the coast? Be warmer in winter and plenty eat for welks to seaweed which takes little to get your hands on. You could gather up bits and pieces and build a shelter into the sand dunes. Using your head and avoid sickness and you could live for years there I guess."

Hi endlessvista. I think that the beach and the countryside will be jam-packed with all us survival types and as such would be pretty easy to 'discover' if looked for (and we will!) by a guy with a dog.

Depending on how the poo goes-a-flying, it might even be best to stay indoors and bide your time.

If you are thinking of a mass extinction, like bombs or epidemic then you and loads of others will be heading for the closest idil.

I am of the thought that we should prepare now and have a place of our own somewhere where we feel safe. If not hidden (it would be hard to stay hidden in the UK) then we should be out of the way, in some corner that will have a smaller armed force to contend with. One might call it hidding from the reality of the times, but I call it common sense.

My lists are for those that are caught short but have a destination to get to. They are not complete (never will maybe :rolleyes: ) and I will add if I think others ideas are better. The dog that exmicrochipmafia mentions is a good one, but I will find it hard to pack :D. But it is a good idea. I will add it to the list of things that you will need to live.

Dunno about the Maxi Plus though as I aint used them....er....at all :p

I would be silly not to include a highly recomended item, and it would be silly of me not to ask more of your idea. Tell me more.


I think we need to act NOW. Not when it is too late. The poo is already on the fan and is making a stench. Act Now guys.



Tom.

[beldazar]

exmicrochip mafia, its the blood that is used to heal the wound. If the blood is good enough to nurture a foetus then it makes perfect sense that it would be ideal for healing wounds :)

(Cant say I particularly like the idea myself tho....:eek:)

[airkraft]

The thing is, where do we head for ?

We have kids, and the amount of food they eat in a few days is astronomical, theres no way we could take that amount with us.

I have been reading a little about the subject of survival, and also, for some unexplained reason, I have been teaching myself about how things work and how to repair them. Its not like we cant afford to replace broken items, but I just get a sense of self satisfaction when I fix something.
Maybe my sub-contious has been guiding me in this direction for a very good reason....including finding this website and this particular thread...who knows ?

I havent got a lot of tools, but I`ve never not been able to fix something, thus far anyway, long may it continue

[tom bombadil]

Hullo airkraft.

My Idea is to set yourelves up now rather than later.

Only you can decide where you feel most happy.

Do you think that the world will just shut down? Bombs or pandemic.
Or the powers that be might 'start' whipping us and treating us as slaves?
Do you think that there will be a revolution?
Or ...ect.

You need to first work out how you think it would all go tits up. Only then can you have a plan.

What you are doing now is perfect. It is a good start and you can add things like tipi building or yurt construction. Go to country fairs and try your hand at anything. Hedge laying. Wall construction.

By the time you have done all of that you will have a very good idea how you can live.


Run some ideas by us.


Tom.

[tom bombadil]

By the way airkraft.

I also visit a site that is maybe more suited to you needs in this field. Its http://www.itsnoteasybeinggreen.org/


They are very helpfull folk and at the drop of a hat will fill you in. They are courtious and friendly too.


Tom.

[airkraft]

Thanks Tom.

I fix what is broken around the house, with what is available around the house plus cheap bits and pieces from the DIY shop, that is it really.

If something is broken or needs repairing, I take it apart, see how it all works ,find the fault a usually repair it. If it cant be repaired, its no big loss to buy a new one because it was broken anyway.

I bought a mig welder last year and have tried my hand at welding, but not that successfully so far, but I will keep trying, not that knowing how to weld will be any help out in the wilds.

I used to watch a programme about 4 or 5 scientists and inventors out in the wilds, with just certain things available to them, and they had projects to complete....rough science i think it was called....excellent programme, I learned a lot from them.

[tom bombadil]

You're welcome.

Folk have a funny idea of how it is gonna be when it might go tits-up. Who realy knows?

I think a lot of people think that it is going to be like a kind of pre-industrial set-up, where machines and other mechanical gadets are going to not be around. Or will be kind of shunned in place of doing stuff by hand.

Nah! If you can think of a Mad Max (film. Mel Gibson. Google it) set up then you would be right. There will be an awfull load of crap that would be going around, and an awfull load of working 'things' that would be a boon to those that know what they were, rather than what can now be used for (first generation survivalest, you and I) and those that cant realy see why it was (second and beyond, Your kids children).

An example would be a plastic kettle. After a few years, do you notice how the things cracks and warps over time? Then its rubbish, right? Nope. Thats where folk like you step in. You read and understand the ampage ect on the unit and look for a suitable wire. You work out a fuse. You break the shell of the kettle and place the eliment into a holder that you fashioned out of ???....prehaps a thick plastic cutting board. You place the ensemble into a metal drum that you had the blacksmith fasion for you out of sheet metal that they got from...????..., an old metal sided oven that is now unserviceable, And bingo, you have made a water heater that you use to heat water for..??? ect.

What you can do is work those things out. You would be the comunity techy type that would become indespensable. You could be the blacksmith.

And untill a smithy is up and running, your mig welder will/could be used to help fashion atools that are indespencable about the comunity.

Notice how electricity is around? Yup, and why not? Water generators, wind and sun power devices will still be with us. My personal choice for using leccy post tits-up, would be to power lights, a telly, a DVD player and a CD player, to while away those winter eavenings. You could start by learning about battery set-ups, as most electric devices, in case you did not know (not presuming) that generate the stuff need to store it before it is passed on to the device that uses the power.


Tell me what you would like to be able to do. Make a list. Others would like to know how to do what you already can.


Tom.

[tom bombadil]

Oops... I have just realised that this thread is talking about electricity :rolleyes: and not the original idea of the original title about what non leccy stuff we think we may need.

A new thread is in order :)


Tom.

[endlessvista]

I am of the thought that we should prepare now and have a place of our own somewhere where we feel safe. If not hidden (it would be hard to stay hidden in the UK) then we should be out of the way, in some corner that will have a smaller armed force to contend with. One might call it hidding from the reality of the times, but I call it common sense.


I live in rural Ireland and outside the cities the countryside is fairly underpopulated and there are plenty of modern holiday homes etc. Would not be too hard here to find a place to live in such a situation. Gun ownership is fairly common and there would be millions of cows, sheep to shoot and eat. That's not even counting the wildlife.

Places like Dublin, Belfast and Limerick would be total Mad Max if there was a social breakdown.

[the norseman]

Endlessvista,

I am the same - I live in Galway but I have a place right out West towards the North Galway / Mayo border that I plan to relocate to to take stock when events really reveal themselves.

Rural Ireland is just that very rural with low population density and a somewhat fertile countryside.

Make sure you have a suppy of food, fuel and a water purification method.

The Norseman.

[airkraft]

As we all know, the country will probably at some stage go into a state of chaos, the world economy will go bust, there will be no food on the shelves, there may be long periods without electric and gas etc etc

I am thinking about buying non-electrical gadgets that may help us to survive during the times of chaos. Electrical gadgets could quite probably become worthless in the future so we need to make sure we stop wasting our money NOW. We need to spend any savings we may have before our money becomes worthless.

Maybe we could buy things like a pasta making rolling machine that I saw Jamie Oliver use to make fresh pasta from flour and eggs.

A wheat grinder to make bread (assuming we have an oven to cook it in and that we have got some wheat lol).


A potters wheel.

A drill that works mechanically.

Wind up torches.

My ideas are not too brilliant. Has anyone got any BETTER ideas ? All ideas are very welcome :)


What about vegetable seeds.

I have bought some that I can collect seed from to use the following year (from the real seed company), not like the F1 hybrids that you by from garden centres

[the itinerant shrubber]

This is my checklist that I occasionaly add to and keep on a Word document on my desktop.
They are personal items that can be put into a grab-bag or the back of a car. Hope it's of some use.

IODINE/CHLORINE TABLETS
WATER STONE
KELLY KETTLE
FIRESTEEL
CHARCLOTH
HATCHET
KNIVES
MACHETTE
CROSSBOW
BASHA
OIL LAMPS
HEXI BLOCKS
ORTILEB BAGS
PONHOS
PARA CORD
FIRST AID
ANTIBIOTICS
PAIN KILLER
ANTIHISTAMINE h
STOVE
GERRY CANS
BIVI BAGS
ENTRENCHING TOOL
FISHING LINE
FISHING TACKLE
SOWING KIT
WATER BAGS
TENT
SACK CLOTHS
PURSE NUTS
COMPASS
BOOT DUBIN
SLEEPING BAGS
BOW
SUPERGLUE
LAUNDRY POWDER
MILLBANK BAG
WIND UP RADIO
PETROL
MAGNUM BODY TRAPS