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Because prepping and community go hand in hand
What are the best solar panel/generator brands?
Kristin Vogel - March 21, 2023 Which one is the best?! Eco flow? Jackerry?
Read MoreDIY air filter protects an entire room from COVID-19
Eric - March 19, 2023 Will this pandemic ever end? We finally have vaccines, and we still have breakthrough infections. We finally reach herd immunity from vaccination, then a new variant is 50% more infectious and brings the pandemic roaring back. We’re not even recovered from that when another variant comes along, even more infectious and a bit resistant to vaccines. At this point we need 150% of people vaccinated to reach herd immunity again, and 6 months after that another variant will set us back to the beginning.
The problem is that we’re relying too much on vaccines. They’re a great tool, but just not enough on their own. That’s why we need a layered approach.
Every COVID precaution has some failure rate or side effect that prevents it from being the magic bullet that fixes everything. That’s okay. We can make up for this by using several layers of protection. If one layer fails 20% of the time (vaccine) and another layer fails 20% of the time (N95 mask) then you can combine both precautions for a failure rate of only 4% (odds that both fail at the same time). If that’s still not enough, just add a third layer.
Here’s one more layer you can add, either for added protection or as a replacement when, for whatever reason, you can’t wear that mask.
One of the most overlooked precautions is also the easiest to keep up long term. The virus can only spread if you breathe it in. Cheap and effective ventilation systems remove viruses from the air, so that you can safely breathe that air without getting infected. With enough room air filtration, it becomes possible for people to share a room together without spreading infection, even if none of them are wearing masks. This is especially important for places where people need to remove their masks, such as dental offices or restaurants. It also makes a great backup layer for especially high risk environments, like classrooms or shared offices, where it’s difficult to wear a mask properly for many hours at a time.
Just build one of these filtration systems for each place that you want to protect. One unit is enough to hang out with friends, especially if you spread out a little with the fan placed between you pointed up. Three of them will provide supplemental protection for a typical, crowded classroom, in which everyone is still wearing masks.
The best part about layered defenses is that you can always afford to drop one of the layers, and the remaining layers will still take care of you. A filtration system is just one more layer you can use, so that you can safely drop any other layer if it’s getting in your way.
There’s a whole menu of layers that you can choose from:
Filtration System – keep the above air filter near you Outdoors – because the ventilation is built-in N95 Masks – for when you need to visit areas that you haven’t secured Vaccines – 5 months of easy protection Distance – just stand further away while talking(BTW, hand washing and scrubbing doorknobs don’t belong on this list. They might help a little bit, but not nearly as much as any of the above. COVID-19 usually spreads through the air, not by touching surfaces.)
I always aim for at least two layers of protection, and sometimes add a third if I need to be in a crowded room. Decide how many you feel comfortable with – you definitely don’t need to use all at once.
And the best part about filtration systems? If one business owner installs filtration, every single customer is that much safer and doesn’t need to work so hard on protecting themselves. Bring your own filter, or ask your favorite businesses to take care of it for you. You and everyone around you will be that much safer.
Imagine if all of our public spaces had good ventilation. Everyone would be protected, even those that refuse to protect themselves. We might finally end this pandemic.
Until then, this is one more tool that you can use to protect yourself and your community.
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News for week of 2023-03-13
Carlotta SusannaStaff - March 17, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read MoreWhat to do with a jug full of coins?
Seth Johnston - March 14, 2023 For as far back as I can remember, I’ve been saving up coins inside one of those two-gallon water jugs with the hopes of adding it to my account later on. Now that I actually can do that, though, I’ve been hearing some conflicting stuff about what I should do with the coins.
My Dad seems to believe the coins wouldn’t lose their value in a major financial crisis and tells me to keep them where they are, but I’m not so sure about that. However, with the bank situation getting a little more volatile in recent news I don’t want to lose anything I’ve saved over the past 16 years.
So, what’re your recommendations?
Read MoreIs it possible to fill 25 gallon propane from 250 gallon AmeriGas tank?
wildfireexpert - March 13, 2023 Hi. Starting research on best way to transfer propane from a commercially rented large tank on the property into 25 or 40 gallon tanks. Apparently there are problems with the propane being gaseous, not liquid. Is it safe? Where can I find more info? Thanks!
Read MoreNat gas “sniffers” for friends who can’t smell anymore due to Covid
pnwsarahContributor - March 11, 2023 So here’s a fun prepping mashup: Both my mom and one of my friends have recently had gas leak scares when a gas-powered appliance began to malfunction and they realized, suddenly, that they would not necessarily be able to tell if it was leaking gas because they’d lost their sense of smell due to Covid. In my mom’s case, it was actually kind of funny, at least in hindsight, because she texted my husband and said, “Please don’t tell Sarah, because I know she’ll be worried, but…” My husband (who was sitting right next to me on the couch, watching Andor, and dutifully concealed their conversation from me) told her to call the utility, since they make free house calls 24/7 when a gas leak is suspected, and of course this is ALWAYS the best thing to do if one has any reason to believe that there might be a gas leak. That said, he and I were thinking that we should gift my mom and our other friend who can’t smell some portable gas “sniffers” (like this, for instance) as an added layer of assurance/protection (especially in my mom’s case, since she’s probably now going to lie awake at night worrying that there is a gas leak she not smelling, even now that her gas dryer has been ruled safe and repaired).
So my question for y’all: Do any of you have experience with these types of units? Are they reliable in general? (When we’ve called out PG&E because we thought we smelled gas, the technician has checked the house with a handheld detector, so presumably this technology can be good, but who knows what kind of units the utility uses? Not I!) Can anyone recommend a model? I searched for past threads on this but couldn’t find any (perhaps because there are so many candidate search terms… gas, propane, detector, sensor, sniffer…), but please feel free to redirect me if I missed something!
Read MoreNews for week of 2023-02-27
Carlotta SusannaStaff - March 5, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read MoreHas anyone read the book “Easy Cellar” by Tom Griffith?
Eileen Young - March 3, 2023 Has anyone seen/used the “Easy Cellar” by Tom Griffith? He is a terrific sales person but I would like some feedback from persons who are not making money from his book and site. Thanks. Eileen —
Read MoreNews for week of 2023-02-20
Carlotta SusannaStaff - March 3, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read More12V RV interior lights as emergency lights
Barb LeeContributor - February 25, 2023 I continue to struggle with emergency lighting options. I have several but each has drawbacks.
Last night we were discussing the issue while enjoying the Aladdin lamps and the wood stove and hubby said, “What about 12 volt RV lights?”
Smacks forehead.
We maintain several 12V batteries on tenders at all times. One is a heavy duty deep cycle that sits under a coffee table in the house. It used to be life support for a tropical fish tank. We also have plenty of generator power for recharging. How could I not have thought of this?
I just ordered two wall/ceiling mount LED RV interior lights, declared to emit roughly 60 incandescent watts of light each, for about $50 the pair. We’ll know in a week or so how it works out.
Read MoreNews for week of 2023-01-23 (all current event convos go here).
Carlotta SusannaStaff - February 25, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read MoreHow to donate to The Prepared? and Happy New Year!!!
Sharon - February 25, 2023 Happy New Year Fellow Preppers! May 2023 bring health and happiness to y’all!So, I am (as usual late lol) doing my 2022 donations and would like to include the Prepared as I am very grateful for the information and community it has provided. I could of sworn I had seen a “donate” button on the website before, but cannot find it now. So if any designated grownup can help me out with that info, I will be very grateful.
Read MoreCommunity Challenge: Bags for the Unprepared / Mercy Bags
Matt Black - February 24, 2023 Winter is quickly approaching and the news of the pandemic globally is becoming increasingly bleak. The US still hasn’t officially finished its first wave and elsewhere is showing staggering signs of an overwhelming, inbound second wave.
Ultimately, the only way we’re going to get through this is by banding together as a community of preppers and as human beings helping other human beings in need.
Today, we put together a few basic-level BOBs using some of our own surplus stock and a few former packs) for anyone that might be in need. The packs cover the basics: water, food, fire, shelter, first aid, pandemic supplies (gloves, disposable masks, sanitizer, masks with filters), and batteries for the flashlights and headlamps.
We’re fortunate that we have the means to do this. Others in our community are not.
In all, each bag as 7-10 days worth of supplies.
And I wish we could do more.
We’d also like to challenge everyone who can do so, to take up this cause: build a bag to help someone you don’t know, who isn’t prepared to face the pandemic or a disaster.
Read MoreNews for week of 2023-01-30 (all current event convos go here).
Carlotta SusannaStaff - February 22, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read MoreWhat are your tips for hiding food/valuables?
Holly Bradley - February 21, 2023 I was wondering where people hide their food/valuables? And by valuables, I’m talking about tools, solar panels, gasoline, medical supplies, etc…
It gets to be quite a load, especially food for the family. I have a few ideas, and have a few stashes around our property, but I’d like to hear some other ideas please….
Read MoreLooking to establish MAGS in Woodstock, Georgia
michael swain - February 21, 2023 looking to establish MutualAssistenceGroups in woodstock, georgia area…well supplied-looking for like-minded, reliable folk. ex or current law enforcement/military/medical/&c bkrd is a big plus…
Read MoreNo Grid Survival Projects book, has anyone tried it?
CR - February 21, 2023 I’m tempted to order this, but thought I’d see if any of you have checked it out? Might be pretty basic stuff, but looks like he’s made it easy to complete his projects by referencing exactly where to get supplies.
It might be a good one to have on hand in the prepping library, if his projects seem legit.
Please chime in with your thoughts!
https://nogridsurvivalprojects.com/book/
Read MoreNews for week of 2023-02-06
Carlotta SusannaStaff - February 18, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read MoreNews for week of 2023-02-13
Carlotta SusannaStaff - February 16, 2023 Make a top-level comment for a new story/topic. Discussions about the topic should be in the replies to the top-level comment. That way things stay organized and every main comment as you scroll down is a different piece of news.
Read MoreDon’t forget the smaller everyday safety items, even when you prep for the big ones
Steve Martin - February 15, 2023 I was putting up Christmas decorations yesterday in front of my home when I heard a hissing sound…tracked it down to the gas meter. I sprayed some soapy water on it and it foamed all up, indicating a serious leak. At that point I could smell it too. So…nat gas people showed up, attempted to tighten connections….which didn’t fix it, they ended up replacing entire meter which then required a pressure test. Turns out I also had 2 small leaks INSIDE my house I wasn’t aware of! So I spent the day repairing those connections. 1 of them was to my emergency gas heater used during power outages. I hadn’t used it in 2 years. You get caught up in prepping for the big dangers…WWIII, covid, civil unrest etc etc…and miss the little things that can still kill you. It’s winter, you have a CO detector? How about a radon test thingy? Here in Pennsylvania, it’s estimated that 40% of older homes have a radon issue. Gonna be tough to get treated for lung cancer while hunkering down in your shelter! I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t get so focused on the big scary scenarios that your forget to watch for the little ones. Dead is dead regardless which killed you.
Read MoreHow to make stock and render fat
Barb LeeContributor - February 10, 2023 I’m on a beef stock making mission right now, primarily because of the great beef stew recipe I shared in the thread recipes-for-cooking-with-only-non-perishable-food/ . That recipe served the two of us three generous meals. The last one was a little skimpy so I poured the stew over freshly made biscuits. That meal was probably the best of the three!
I used ten pounds of beef ribs to get roughly four quarts of stock, and I canned it according to USDA recommendations. I’ve just started another stock pot. I browned the ribs in a 400F oven, covered them with a lot of water, added some apple cider vinegar, and will now simmer the bones slowly for 24 hours, then “reduce” the stock before canning.
There’s a big bonus in this process. I got about a pint of snowy white beef fat, which after rendering, is shelf stable. I measure it out and freeze it in silicone molds, and once wrapped it will keep virtually forever in the freezer, but it will last for months on the shelf.
Here is an article that explains the basic how-and-why of rendering fat I’ll add some additional notes.
Fat should be slowly heated to 255F to insure that all moisture has been driven off. Carefully dip the clear liquid off the top and strain into clean containers (sterilized canning jars are good!). Fill all the way to the top because the fat will contract quite a bit while cooling. Chill as quickly as possible for a fine grained product. Cap and store in a cool, dark place.
Air, light and moisture can cause the product to go rancid or sour. If all moisture is removed and the product chilled thoroughly before capping, there will be no souring.
The notes on rendering lard are taken from the book “Stocking Up” by Rodale Press.
Read MoreClip & Carry Gerber MP600 sheath review
Thumper - February 10, 2023 So. I’ll start out by saying that I’ve had this sheath for about a year now, and carry it every day. I’ve never had a retention issue. I got a Gerber MP600 multi tool a year or so back, and I wanted a kydex sheath for it. After some research, I found this, and I’ve loved it ever since. I carry it IWB, so I can carry it if I’m in my farm clothes or my Sunday best.
Note: if a multi tool isn’t in your EDC, I highly suggest the Gerber MP600. I’ve put mine through hell, using it multiple times a day, nearly every day. I can’t recommend it more. I’ll leave a link for the sheath and the MP600.
Second Note: my dad has had the same MP600 for 10+ years, using it when he worked with the FD and when he had a lawn care business, and his is still kicking it!
MP600:
Sheath:
Read MorePrepping in New England
Gall - February 8, 2023 Does anyone have any suggestions on South Shore (MA.) lOCATIONS to pick up any form of prepping supplies? Water storage, long shelf-life food, portable solar equipment etc.
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