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How to prevent injury, illness or death while cleaning up after a disaster
UbiqueContributor - March 8, 2021 On the thread “The second survival – How to go on after the crisis is over“, hikermor made a significant comment regarding the fatalities and serious accidents that can occur after the disaster during the clean up and recovery process.
What hikermor introduced on that thread warrants it’s own topic and thanks to Gideon who suggested the new topic title above, we now have a new topic started.
This is the quote from hikermor: ”Perhaps it is worth mentioning that fatalities and serious accidents resulting from clean up efforts following a hurricane, etc. typically are equal to the total rug up during the storm.”
The second survival thread deals with the emotional/psychological aspects of recovery after crisis.
This thread is so we can examine safety issues of recovery after the crisis.
What kind of safety issues could we potentially face?
How do you safely deal with matters of downed power lines or other electrical hazards? How do you prevent a fall from a roof when attempting to repair it?
What kind of tools or gear can help keep us safe?
What should we do with wet damaged debris? What about mould? How do we prevent infections or waterborne disease because of contaminated surfaces or sewage infested water?
This could be an excellent way to share first hand information on how we coped safely in the aftermath of a disaster, or what lessons we learned when we didn’t cope safely.
The following is my post from the second survival thread which deals with how to stay safe around electrical hazards.
Begin Quote:
hikermor and Bob – Excellent points.
One should also know how to deal safely with electrical hazards such as downed power lines. Or, if trapped in vehicle and a fire starts, how to safely exit a vehicle where there is risk of electrical hazard.
Electrical Safety
Also, keep contaminated footwear and gloves out of the house. End Quote
Bob also made several excellent comments on safety issues on the second survival thread.
I was going to wait longer for hikermor to start this thread, but wasn’t sure how long that would be, so with credit to hikermor for introducing the topic, Bob for his comments on the other thread and to Gideon for the title, I’d like to offer it now.
Read MoreBest considerations for an evacuation or bug-out vehicle
UbiqueContributor - March 8, 2021 With recent discussion of evacuation events, I realized we could be evacuated despite our plans to SIP. In that scenario we would need shelter and accomodations which may not be available or affordable if prices go up. We would also need to consider a range of time frames.
I can see the wisdom of modifying my existing Chev Astro van into a BOV that can handle all season events. It still must function for normal use. The van sits on a truck chassis so it sits higher and can handle certain terrain that a lower vehicle might not fare so well upon.
Seasonal studded tires alread in place. I need to add a set of cable tire chains to carry in the vehicle to handle a winter event. We always have a full tank of fuel plus extra jerry cans.
The known gas mileage can be used to calculate the radius that we can travel. It is possible then to pinpoint areas that could be safe to stay until it is safe to return home. I want to calculate a radius as the evacuation event could come from any direction.
Currently the van has front bucket seats and two removable bench seats plus floor space behind the last bench seat. I want to set up items in a way that won’t draw attention as a target for a break in. Under the bench seats would work for some of the items.
I want to equip a rudimentary sleep area (rolled up foam or sleeping bags). Pail (already in van) and toilet seat ready to use. Kelly kettle and camp gear. Food items/MRE’s in sturdy bags ready to grab and go with BOB. Fishing gear in case it goes longer.
Currently the van is white, but if I am not mistaken are there not tarps or nets that can be thrown over a parked vehicle to disguise it? Anything shiny needs to be covered as well. I am looking to keep costs down.
I want to be very low key if on the move.
Read MoreThe case for diesel
Bill Masen - March 7, 2021 THE CASE FOR DIESEL
Yes I know there are far more people driving Cars, Vans, SUVs’s , Pickups, 4X4’s etc with petrol (gasoline) powered engines than there are driving similar vehicles running Diesel engines, But hang on a moment is that a good thing for us claiming to be switched on survivalists?
Some points I think need chewing over by the preparedness communities especially those with retreats, homesteads, secure homes and bug out plans.
If (or more likely when) TSHTF and fuel availability & storage becomes a major issue what will society in general start doing?
Let’s accept that most of us already keep our vehicles topped off most of the time and also keep a few gallons of fuel stored for “The Day” but nearly all of us must admit that overall we have not got enough fuel cached to get by with.
Question? What is the general public going to do as soon as finding fuel supplies become difficult?
Answer, yes they are going to form huge queues at almost every petrol (gas) station they can, the rest of this tale you already know, huge queues, long waits, rationing, violence, riots, people getting killed for a gallon of fuel. The public will go berserk in next to no time at all.
(This scenario came 100% spot on accurate during the 2005 hurricane season in the US)
So what are the big boys and the prepared people doing?
What do the Railways (Railroads), Truckers, Maritime trade, leisure boats use as fuel? What do farmers choose as fuel for their tractors, ploughs, etc? What do the military choose to power their vehicles?
Diesel, Yes Diesel, This fuel is found almost everywhere a survivalist would choose to look. It’s safer to handle and store than petrol, it’s got a better shelf life untreated than petrol and it’s used to power most of our commerce.
Next time you are out and about take a look around and try to identify places you could ‘Source’ petrol (gas) and diesel. Petrol in general is only available at fuel stations and in other petrol powered vehicles (cars, lawn mowers and jet skis?).It’s only found in fairly small quantities as well. If you are lucky you will be able to fill your vehicle and a few jerry cans from a retail source before government restrictions or shortages become an issue.
But look at places you can find diesel in an emergency and in what quantities? Trucks alone have tanks that carry many hundreds of gallons of diesel, truck stops hold huge amounts in comparison to petrol stations. Look at your local railroad locomotive, even the smallest carry 1500 gallons of diesel whilst the mainline locos can carry as much as 6000 gallons.
Also in recent years modern diesel engines have advanced technologically, to a point that the power issues that traditionally separated diesel vehicles from petrol (gas) powered vehicles has been eroded. So that unless you are into sports cars a turbo diesel can and will match your gasoline powered car in everything except the 0-60 MPH stakes, plus modern diesels are still more economical than petrol engines.
Then of course when it comes to the reliability and vulnerability aspects of comparing the two types of engine diesel wins hands down.
I am also advised that certain types of heating oil can be used to run a diesel engine. Certainly after the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina you need to carry enough fuel to travel 3x the distance to your retreat, this allows for diversions and long periods of very slow driving in heavy traffic.
So in closing if you have a rural retreat or bug out plans and you believe that sourcing fuel is going to be a major issue common sense directs you to choose the good old compression ignition engine.
Read MoreDo you duplicate your every day carry in bags?
C. Ross - March 7, 2021 I’m planning my first Go Bag, and trying to consider how much to duplicate from my every day carry. Do you duplicate essentials that you carry with you everywhere like a multitool and lighter in your Go Bags? I’m thinking about things I carry in my pockets/on my belt, not things I carry in my “every day carry bag” (a day hiking bag I keep in the car and bring on short hikes).
Obviously throwing an extra Bic lighter or pack of matches in is cheap, but it starts to add up when you talk about multitools, knives, and the like.
Read MoreDIY internal backpack framing
LBV - March 6, 2021 Going thru my stuff, my current bag is not big enough. I do not have the finances to purchase a proper bag, so I will begoing the DIY way. I am just struggling to find practical illustrations of the internal framing structure and I am not too sure of the thickness required of the aluminium. Can anyone advise?
Read MoreTriple Quake in NZ interesting point of note.
Bill Masen - March 6, 2021 I’m posting this as an FYI because of one part of the news story that is of direct interest to us. I’ve posted the text in BOLD Italics below.
New Zealand earthquakes: Tsunami warnings lifted after evacuations
Published
3 hours ago
Three earthquakes, including one of the strongest ever to hit the region, struck off the coast of New Zealand on Friday, triggering tsunami warnings that have now been stood down.
Thousands were evacuated from some coastal areas of the North Island after the third, 8.1-magnitude quake struck.
There were reports of traffic gridlock as people tried to reach higher ground.
The national tsunami warning was lifted at 15:43 (02:43 GMT), some 13 hours after the first quake.
Some wave surges hit parts of the coast but, by Friday afternoon, authorities said the largest waves had passed. Residents were told they could return home but were warned to stay off beaches.
media captionNew Zealand: “What happens if there is another earthquake?”
The South Pacific archipelagos of New Caledonia and Vanuatu have been warned to prepare for dangerous waves.
Their coasts could see wave surges as high as 3m (10ft), while parts of South America – including Peru, Ecuador and Chile – were warned they could see 1m waves reaching their coasts.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said “tsunami waves have been observed”, but as yet no damage had been reported.
‘Bumper to bumper’ traffic
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted on Instagram: “Hope everyone is ok out there.”
The three earthquakes, all above 7.0 magnitude, came during the early hours of Friday.
The last, at 8.1, struck at around 08:30 near the uninhabited Kermadec Islands, 1,000 km (621 miles) north-east of New Zealand.
While earlier tsunami warnings had been called off, the third quake prompted the National Emergency Management Agency to send out a new alert and tsunami sirens sounded in some areas.
The agency told people near the coast in several areas to move immediately to high ground or get inland as far as possible.
It said “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” with tsunami activity continuing for several hours.
Local media reported gridlock in towns such as Whangarei and Whakatane as people tried to flee their homes, schools and workplaces.
In nearby Ohope town, resident Leslie Peake was quoted by the New Zealand Herald as saying the traffic was “bumper to bumper” with “huge queues of people evacuating”.
New Zealand’s civil defence department advised people to walk or cycle to avoid getting caught in traffic
Meanwhile local media posted footage of waves rolling into Tokomaru Bay.
Mitaki-Japan Emergency Crank Radio — a quick review
Jonnie PekelnyContributor - March 5, 2021 I just wanted to post some quick feedback on an old crank radio I found in a previous emergency supply stash. I don’t remember where I got it or if it’s still on the market — though I see it on Ebay. I am generally not impressed with crank operated emergency gear. The concept sounds great, but I almost inevitably find out after a few months that the flashlight or radio goes dead on me. Cranking it at that point either has no effect, or minimally powers up the device, which promptly dies again almost as soon as you stop winding the crank.
But not this little baby. This radio was left untouched for probably around 10 or 15 years, because, quite honestly, I’d forgotten about it. It was also stored in an outside bin, so the temperature wasn’t well controlled (although I live in a moderate climate). But, after all that time it still works! Winding the crank for a minute or two does produce enough power for the radio for quite a number of minutes. The box says 30 minutes, but I haven’t measured that long.
In addition to the hand crank, the radio takes 2 AA batteries or can be charged with a DC 6V cord. Disclaimer: I don’t have a cord for it anymore and I haven’t tried the batteries.
Beyond that, it seems like a solidly built basic radio. There is a manual volume control and a manual tuner, which after all these years are a little tight and sticky but functional. There is a jack for a headset and a switch to go between AM, FM and Weather. The weather channel is also marked on the dial so you can tune to it. I have to say that I didn’t find much difference between tuning into the channel on FM or Weather. Both settings seem to produce a weak and intermittent tuning to the weather channel from my location, but I think in an emergency it would do the trick most the time.
Read More
The threat from a cashless society
Bill Masen - March 5, 2021 ( I think I’ve fully depoliticised this article, but if it breaches standards please delete)
Soooo consider this good people, and consider the implications VERY carefully.
If the demands to take the US/ UK/ EU/OZ economy to a CASHLESS society, which has been muted often in the recent past, Its still the $ or £ but all transactions will be electronic and digital via smart cards.
OK so far?
(A)This WILL open up the opportunity for a government to introduce a TRANSACTION tax to fund social welfare programs and other initiatives . What this means every transaction you make buying or selling. Food, fuel, clothing, utility bills, state taxes, medical payments, garage bills, tradesmens charges, gun payments, E Bay or other online payment systems they can levy a TRANSACTION tax DIRECTLY to YOU. And you cannot avoid it because it happens at the point of transaction. In person or online.
(B)They can then also monitor and record ALL of your purchasing history. Guns, ammo, supplies donations to organisations or political parties, Books they don’t want you to read. EVERYTHING will be recorded.
(C )This will also allow the state to SKIM your bank accounts like the European Union did with the entire population of Cyprus. The EU simply ordered all the banks to remain shut and turn off the ATM machines for a long weekend, During that time they skimmed an average of 10% of everyone’s Savings, Deposits, Current accounts, Pensions and Investments
(D)If you fall foul of the government and find yourself listed as a Felon or Domestic Terrorist or anything, They could (1) Seize all your money, (2) Cancel all your Cards (3) Ban you from owning a bank account. Even Bitcoin wont be accessible.
The last thing preppers need is a cash free society as it leaves the STATE in control and leaves you only with BARTER to get what you need to live.
Many modern prepper folks already have considered this issue and have taken steps to invest in Gold, Silver and Barter Goods as a buffer against a worthless or voided paper dollar.
And this is why I agree with Pops new post strongly recommending we cache some cash for when TSHTF.
Read MoreWhat is your favorite prepping tool?
Roland - March 4, 2021 Not my picture. Just too lazy to go get my camera and take a picture of my berkey.
My favorite prepping item/tool is my Big Berkey water filter. It is a gravity fed water filter where you put dirty/questionable water in the top, and gravity will pull it through these large black filters and delicious clean water pours out the spout. It’s just so handy, we use it every day in our normal lives to improve the taste of our water, and I know I have thousands of gallons of pure drinking water in an emergency.
What are some of your favorite prepping items/tools? Your garden shovel, ferro rod, flashlight, car, wheat grinder, dehydrator…
Read More
The second survival – How to go on after the crisis is over
UbiqueContributor - March 3, 2021 I answered the insistent knocking of the sun and opened my den window today.
The fickle prairie weather has shifted again, from a wind chill that can destroy flesh in minutes to sun warmed air, melting snow and the “soon but not yet” promise of Spring.
The one constant about weather and life is: change.
We practice preparedness as a way to cope with change in our circumstance, regardless of how or when that change may come.
Everything can change in a heartbeat. It could be natural or man-made. It could affect our home or our global home.
There is an aftermath to a crisis, be it personal or large scale. It is a time when we assess the damage sustained during the crisis, grieve our loss, and find a way to go on.
I have never discussed how to go on after the crisis is over with anyone who preps.
Instead of a scenario, I would like to offer this subject in the context of lessons learned from personal experience. And yes, there is probably going to be a grandmother story in here somewhere.
I believe the following example is timely, given the issues of post viral complications from Covid-19.
It illustrates that we can’t pick the timing for when difficult life events happen.
I was rebuilding my life and assets when I contracted what I thought was a flu virus in the early 2000’s. It wasn’t typical and left me with long term health effects. It was like suddenly becoming brain injured. It affected my ability to walk, read, and think, among other symptoms, and delivered it all with a substantial amount of pain.
My doctor and specialists had theories, but no one could tell me what was wrong. There was a diagnosis for fibromyalgia and a theory that maybe I had Multiple Sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis, but nothing beyond that.
My doctor told me that I could no longer work. The trap door opened and the bottom fell out of my world.
Regardless of diagnosis or the lack of one, I still had to learn how to live with the symptoms.
I learned that life isn’t like an episode of House. There isn’t always a diagnosis or a cure. The crisis, in this case a health crisis, was technically over. I had to find a way to go on.I assessed the situation:
I had no preps because during the pack and run move from my ex, there had been no time to get them out. Finances were depleted helping my Mom and Aunt. There was a property boom and rents were rising. I now had a disabled fiance and my Mom who were depending on me.
We had to move, back across Canada where the cost of living was lower. I had to buy time until I could sort out my health and my life.
I identified the challenge of the health symptoms: The biggest challenge was pain. Pain exists to help protect us from harm. It is not a normal state to be pain free. If we work or exercise hard, our muscles may become sore and hurt – that is normal.
The absence of pain is not normal and seeking a pain free state as part of chronic pain management is dangerous. It isn’t palliative pain which is managed differently.
Pain medication is sometimes necessary for chronic pain, but it is wise to employ other non-medication techniques in conjunction with it.
There were non-medication pain management techniques that I began to employ: breathing, distraction and visualization. I realized the pain wasn’t killing me, so I could reduce the stress I felt about it. I had to learn to live with it and I did.
Then there was the grief. I had always been athletic and active. A 60-80 hour week was nothing for me. I was superwoman. And, then I wasn’t.
At my lowest point, I felt worthless. I focussed on my fiance and Mom. They needed me and I couldn’t give up.
I let myself feel the grief, the loss of the person I used to be. I told myself “it’s ok to cry.”
Then I told myself, it’s ok to accept who I am today.
This is a very condensed version of what happened. I went on to rebuild my life and achieve goals, including more physical recovery, than I thought possible during the crisis. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve my community again when I was asked to volunteer to teach other people to learn how to manage chronic conditions.
I learned how important my preps were when I couldn’t get them out. It was awful and very hard not to have anything in reserve when the crisis hit.
I learned that regardless of the disaster or crisis, whether it happens to you or society on a larger scale, you must journey your way through it. Keep going. Don’t give up. Just take one step at a time and one task at a time.
Don’t borrow problems during the crisis. Stay focussed on what is actually happening and not on what hasn’t happened.
If you suffer loss, any kind of loss, allow yourself to grieve. You are not crazy. It is ok to feel sad or angry or any other emotion. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.
Talk to a trusted person or call a crisis line. If that isn’t possible, then journal your grief, draw it, howl at the moon or chop wood. Do whatever is healthy that helps you to externalize and work through your feelings.
To understand the process of grief, I recommend the writing of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross who is considered the pioneer in this field.
What about you? Have you thought about how to journey through the aftermath of a crisis or disaster? How can you prepare for that part of survival? What kind of coping strategies would you use?
Read MoreWhich roads are safest for travel?
KKW - March 2, 2021 Hi! I’m new to prepping but feel I am making good progress. I’ve got a good start on medical supplies, food, water (including a Berkey) but can’t get my mind wrapped around bugging out. Part of my stress lies with the topic here. The apocalyptic books I am addicted to always talk about roadblocks and stopped traffic that makes travel impossible. So two questions really. First, is that overly dramatic? Second, are interstates or back roads better? I live in a rural area, have good neighbors who know how to handle weapons, have a well and creek, and have room to garden. My hope is to be the spot where people can bug out too but I know I need to prepare for that eventuality. As I write this I realize there’s one other question. Any idea in a shtf situation will travel become bad as in dangerous? Sorry for the length of this.
Read MoreEDC storage for women: no pockets, no purse, no problem!
CamilleContributor - February 28, 2021 I have seen a couple of ‘What’s in your EDC?’ threads pop up in this forum but wanted to make a thread about EDC storage options for women since EDC can look different for us for the following reasons:
1. Women’s clothing isn’t usually made with functional pockets, and outside of carrying a purse, options for carrying multiple EDC items can seem limited.
2. If I am carrying a traditional purse, I often set the purse I’m carrying down when I arrive at my destination (which isn’t useful in case of emergency when you want an item on you, not discarded somewhere at your feet or shoved in a locker or coatroom). I wanted to compile a list of EDC storage options that I could always leave on and that I wouldn’t set down like I might a traditional backpack or purse.
3. Finding EDC storage options that are functional and that also allow one to blend in can be difficult. I think it is important to like the EDC storage option used because I’m not going to wear it everywhere if it doesn’t look cohesive with what I normally wear/isn’t comfortable/ doesn’t blend in and if it’s not worn everywhere, then its value in terms of preparedness decreases.
Most of the options I am listing tend towards the dressier end of the spectrum and this is because no one has ever so much as blinked at me touting something dressy, but I’d probably get more looks for wearing something ‘tactical’. My goal is to blend in with an EDC, not stand out. On to the list, in no particular order:
1. GirlyGoGarter : Useful to carry items if you prefer wearing dresses and skirts – included because sure I can carry a clutch, but I always set it down thus ruining the point of carrying the items since they aren’t immediately on hand in case of emergency – this garter with patented grips was designed to carry a phone, insulin pump and other small items like keys and a passport or an EpiPen.
2. Concealed Carry Drop Leg Bag : I recently bought this drop leg bag and I think it looks sharp enough to blend in and be dismissed. I like that there are multiple ways to wear it and it is not just a typical crossbody bag that digs into the shoulder, and I think many drop leg or motorcycle bags could be good options for women who don’t want to carry typical purses. I feel I can always leave it clipped around my leg with the belt and leg strap unlike a purse or backpack that I might unsling and set down. This bag holds my version of the ‘Urban Altoids Tin’ that has been listed in the other EDC threads and also accommodates the medical supplies I like to keep on-hand.
3. Ankle Wrap : Easily concealed by pants that aren’t cut in a skinny style, another hands-free option like the garter that could store EDC basics.
4. Pocket Belt : Smaller capacity than the drop leg bag in this list but could potentially be worn in more scenarios because it doesn’t have a leg strap. I also like that one could choose to clip more to the belt for easy access.
5. Boot Pockets : Tucks inside tall boots and can carry small items, could be a good addition to combine with other items on this list.
Anyone else have EDC storage options or ideas they want to share that may be useful for women?
Read More
Practice, simulations and drills
UbiqueContributor - February 28, 2021 When we actually practice with our preps, or run drills and simulations, we take the visualization component out of prepping. There is a lot of mental work in prepping. This creates a shift into real time, hands on practice. For simulations and drills, there is still some imagination required, but you are still in engaged in doing rather than planning or acquiring.
Practice with our preps can build confidence and take some of the stress out of preparing.
Familiarity with our gear and preps becomes a new skill acquired, and more than just putting items into storage or onto a shelf.
Running a drill or simulation is also a way to know that you can handle certain items comfortably and with skill. Is the knife you bought right for you after repeated use? Or, do you need a different one that you can handle better? Do your boots cause discomfort? Do you remember how to purify water safely? Can you bake a loaf of bread?
What about various scenarios as drills? How about a no tech weekend challenge in your home or apartment? Survive with manual or non powered items only. Candles. Navigate with a map. Cook as if there is no power. Try to do everything as if you are off grid.
Take it outdoors, whether you live in the city or a rural area, and practice your covert skills. Challenge yourself to find the most undetectable ways to navigate to certain areas or places that you might need to get to.
Drill down on survival. Earthquake. Now. Go. Get to a designated point. How long did it take you? Did you discover any challenges on the way?
You can make that challenge more difficult by throwing yourself a curved ball in the form of a route closure or other obstacle necessitating the need to navigate differently. Some preppers have items that were purchased long ago. Are those items still relevant? Or, are there better items now available?
Try running a health impaired simulation. Eye injury and vision impaired. Someone was careless and broke a leg. First aid required. Now you have to manoeuver on crutches or you are one person down.
Or, someone is ill with the flu complete with all the symptoms. You have to care safely for them. You need to set up a clean room to prevent the rest of the household contracting the flu. You have your duct tape, plastic and zip strips to create a door in the plastic ready, right?
I knew people who practised that scenario for a weekend. It was an eye opener for the caregiver and for the person in the role of patient. We are lay people. Nurses are trained to care for the many needs of patients. It’s not as easy as they make it look because of their training.
Ease of use is not just the realm of the aged. People of any age can develop tendon, joint or muscle conditions or injury like carpal tunnel or arthritis.
I developed osteoarthritis young, as did some other family members. All of us had to learn how to adapt to living with it. What if you suddenly developed arthritis in your hands? How are you going to get that pail of rice open? Carry water? Imagine severe pain in your hands and wrist, now how are you going to accomplish your goal?
Even strained, sore muscles, from activities from chopping wood or other physical labour can affect how well you can use other items in your preps. The right tools can help you during those times.
There are longer types of practice such as grow a small raised bed garden in your back yard. Or, if you are in an apartment, challenge yourself to grow some food items.
I grew tomatoes on my balcony in BC. I wanted to see how much I could grow and if it would be successful with the light conditions. It worked great, except for the neighbours calling the police because they thought my tomato plants were something else.
Do you have your local edible plant book yet? Scenario: long term disaster. You now have to forage for food. Where do you go? How do know what to pick? Twinkies at 7-11 don’t count for this one.
Then journal or make notes about your experiences. What did you learn from it? Are there red flags about your preps or skill sets that need to be addressed? How did you fare in non physical ways? Do you need items or training to manage issues like stress or anxiety?
I enjoy doing drills and practice because I learn something valuable each time. How about you? Do you do regular drills and practice or run simulations? What has your experience(s) been like? What did you learn?
Read MoreSituational awareness when going out
Bill Masen - February 28, 2021 Situational Awareness When Going Out.
During times of high risk / disaster / civil unrest etc need to become much more situationally aware before you go venturing outdoors to the shops, work, school, visiting family etc. You must check your local news traffic and crime warnings before going anywhere, EVERYTIME….. Don’t JUST anything.
Never drive (walk) to destination into without ensuring you have at least TWO ways out.
Never let your vehicle fuel tank go under half , preferably 3/4 during a crisis
Keep Vehicle doors locked especially in built up areas.
AND the I.C.E in your car is for listening to local news, traffic news etc during a crisis, not music.
Keep Shades, Hat, Gloves, Mask, Wipes, Flat shoes, easily to hand in vehicle.
No bags or valuables on show in vehicle (in the boot / trunk or under the seat or in glovebox.)
Never try to drive through any sort of crowd gathering, even slowly.
When you park up,do so ONLY in brightly lit areas and ALWAYS park so you can drive FORWARDS to get out, Never park nose first into a blind parking bay.
Never ENTER or LEAVE a shop or building without looking AND listening in /out to see if its safe.
Always have your car keys ready to hand when you return to your vehicle.
STOP, LOOK, LISTEN is it safe to proceed?
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
Never sit NEAR the window or with your back to the window / door in a cafe, diner / bar etc
NOTE where the fire escapes and emergency exits are.
Go armed, your PDW (if legal) goes ON YOUR PERSON not in a bag.(as should your Wallet/Purse/Bill-fold & Car Keys)
Keep your Bag / Purse to your FRONT, and NEVER wear the strap over your head.
(Ladies) if possible no high heels, tight short skirts, exposed valuable jewellery on show
Trust your instincts, chance are if something does not feel right, then it probably is NOT all right.
If you see crowds / mobs at destination go some place else or delay trip until another day
Watch the crowds, how are they moving, Purposefully? Aggressively? Fearfully? Are they fleeing or are they attacking ?
Finished shopping? Make sure you or your vehicle is not being followed as you head home ( Keys ready)
Night Time Observations.
Not many people realise the following,During the day your eyes mainly use the rods and cones and the BACK of the eye to detect SHAPE.But at night your eyes mainly use the rods and cones on the SIDES of your eyeball to detect MOVEMENT.
It part of a ancient ancestor predator detection system we inherited. it is why highly trained soldiers on night patrol constantly move their heads from left to right as they patrol because they know they are more likely to detect the enemy by their MOVEMENT more than their SHAPE.
One noted problem with NVG is they are very narrow focused, if the detectors look straight at the bad guy you will see them, but often your view is limited to about 30 to 40 degrees but anything outside that arc you dont. They are still great devices to have to assist.
Night Time Movements
You have all seen it in the movies or experienced it in the movies, someone moving tactically at night trying to remain undetected, then Crack or Snap they stand on something like a twig or piece of an old bottle and it breaks and makes a telltale noise.
The risk of doing this can be REDUCED not stopped by walking tactically by SLOWLY sweeping the ground with your foot close to the ground then slightly sideways as you take each step. This frequently brushes aside anything that could snap or break before you stand on it. It can also help you detect trip wires before you trigger them. It looks weird , takes concentration, is not guaranteed, and slows you down but has been proven to work in both rural and urban night time environments.
You often see the lead guy in a time or line in a clearing operation pushing his foot forwards close to the ground rather than using the lifted stepping normal method of walking.
Footnote
It also worth pointing out the benefits of having noisy gravel drives and paths on the approaches to your house / retreat as an early warning system of unwelcome visitors.
Read MoreEmergency deep open wound : washing and stopping blood
chopper20ss - February 27, 2021 was wondering if pouring liquid styptic on a deep open wound is a good thing to do before applying pressure to stop the bleeding? Then using saline or clean water to wash?
Read MoreActivated charcoal – A great item to keep on hand, especially with concerns over water purity.
RedneckContributor - February 25, 2021 If you have any concerns over your stored water having an off taste or maybe having become contaminated, this discussion is for you. And yes, I keep several Sawyer Mini water filters, at home & in my get home bag. Such items are great for purifying water. Yes, you can drink pond water thru one of these, but the water will smell & taste nasty.
With all the current discussion over water storage, due to the extreme weather conditions many are experiencing, I thought I might suggest a solution to those concerned with the purity of stored water. That would be storing bulk quantities of granular activated charcoal (also referred to as carbon). Granular Activated Charcoal removes harmful elements from water including copper, chlorine, carbohydrates and other dissolved organic materials. It also takes out sulfa drugs, antibiotics, and other medications.
I keep a 5 gallon pail, or 15 lbs of this in storage. Keep in mind activated charcoal is a completely different item than regular charcoal. Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. It is this extra processing of the charcoal that makes this product so adsorbent. Yes, adsorb… not absorb. Absorption is the process in which a fluid is dissolved by a liquid or a solid (absorbent). Adsorption is the process in which atoms, ions or molecules from a substance (it could be gas, liquid or dissolved solid) adhere to a surface of the adsorbent.
Our typical water filtration devices, such as Sawyer do a good job of removing harmful things from the water but don’t usually remove the foul smell sometimes associated with standing water. If you add activated charcoal filtration, that will make the water smell better and also helps remove some additional toxins from the water. I keep some of these cartridges on hand, as they are refillable and can easily be attached to your portable water filters. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007U0184/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=prepperforumsconvert-20
I get my 5 gallon pail of the activated charcoal here. That site is loaded with great info.
https://buyactivatedcharcoal.com/buy-bulk-activated-charcoal/granular-activated-charcoal.html
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An introduction to threat modeling
Matt Black - February 24, 2021 Preface
This isn’t an ‘ultimate guide’ -not by any stretch of the imagination. It is a work in progress and, as I see it, the concept of threat modeling underpins all we discuss here on The Prepared’s forums. I welcome any and all comments and constructive criticisms. Okay, here we go. Here’s my conversation starter about threat modeling.
An Introduction to Threat Modeling
Although it has its roots in IT security, threat modeling is, at its core, the foundation for the mindset that you and I call prepping.
The purpose of a threat model is to examine your preparedness by identifying assets, threats, defenses, and vulnerabilities. In short, the process answers the questions, “What am I preparing for?”, “What do I have?”, “How can I protect it? “, “What could go wrong?”, and “What am I missing, overlooking, or not seeing?”.
As we identify the various aspects of threat modeling -this way of thinking and prepping- use this opportunity to re-examine your planned scenario and responses. Take this opportunity to correct any potential issues, shortcomings, or vulnerabilities.
Identifying Assets
Assets are people, places, property, equipment, skills, and other resources you have access to or at your disposal. An asset might the med kit you have in your GO bag; it could be the pistol you keep at your side; an asset can be a person with a specialized set of skills (eg., medical training, combat experience -who can be a member of your team or can train you); an asset could also be place such as a bug-out location, a series of fallback positions; egress routes and transportation; or assets can be your significant stockpile of rations, water, weapons, ammunition, skills; or, items for trade and barter.
Identifying Threats
Threats are people, places, events, or conditions that have the very real potential to impact, disrupt, obstruct, impede, undermine, injure, maim, damage, or destroy assets and objectives. Below are some sample categories and their corresponding threats, which I’ve drawn from a few of my personal models. By specifically identifying threats, we can better bolster our defenses while help us to prepare smarter, not harder.
Natural: earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, fire, flooding, landslide, blizzard, stellar flare, etc. Biological: injury, illness, disease, outbreak, pandemic, abuse, rape, murder Environmental: polluted resources, water scarcity, breathable air Infrastructure: electricity, water, gas, cellular communications, gps Chemical: pollution from manufacturing, plant accident/failure Socio-Economic: financial collapse, civil unrest, theft Radiological: fallout, power plant accident/failure Political: discrimination, inequity, inequality, polarization, radicalized ideologies Wartime/Insurrection: biological, chemical, & nuclear weapons, munitions, artillery, unexploded ordinance, terrorism, dirty bombsThreats EVERYWHERE
Thinking about threats can be especially easy if you have a low threshold for what you might consider a threat. It can also be downright daunting -almost to the point of paralysis- if you’re not careful. Threats can be found everywhere, if you look hard enough. The trick, as it were, is to abide by the sane prepper mantra and be sane and rational. Prioritizing is additional way to mitigate a runaway list of threats.
Prioritizing Threats
Probably the simplest way to keep yourself sane and from being overwhelmed by all these threats is to put them into one of two basic categories: low-risk or high-risk. Some of you may decide to go with risk levels that resemble something like our current Terror Threat Levels. How you prioritize is ultimately up to you, just do it. Doing so will force you to closely examine situational reality versus possibility and probability.
For example, those living on the west coast of the US (or along the ring of fire) are right to consider earthquakes, tsunami, or volcanic activity (along with the threats to life, safety, and infrastructure that come with those events) high risk threats. Although it’s not out of the realm of possibility, someone living in the middle of the US (for example) might not consider these high-risk threats. Instead, they’d likely list tornadoes.
By prioritizing threats you can prioritize your preparedness and, when that threat appears, you can prioritize your response(s).
What does a threat model look like?
A threat model can be as simple as simple as a Word document, as complex as spreadsheet, or as visual as an illustration. In creating an actual model, not only do you get it out of your head, but you can share this information with members of your household, trusted team, or community.
Below are a few examples of threat models to help familiarize you with the concept of threat modeling:
[See? Even Batman has a threat model. Classic IT security threat modeling. A sample of my consolidated threat modeling spreadsheet (a perpetual work-in-progress).]
That’s All I’ve Got
The time you invest in developing, understanding, and evaluating your threat model(s) is time you’re investing in your own preparedness and, ultimately, your success.
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Leather care
Robert LarsonContributor - February 24, 2021 My wife has a conceal carry purse by a company called Gun Tote’n Mamas. While the design is great, the build quality is not the best. She got the purse two years ago and the leather faded extremely quickly and didn’t even look a nice worn look, but just looks ugly. The zipper is also a weak point on the bag and the zip keeps coming apart. All this within a year. We called them up and they sent us a new one.
The new bag had the same issues of poor zipper quality and leather fading quickly after just a year. This time we have contacted them multiple times and they won’t get back to us. So we are trying to make due the best that we can with what we have.
I used some pliers and crimped the zipper and it now zips shut properly, so that problem is solved, but we still have some really ugly faded leather.
What do you do for your leather gear? Gun holsters, knife sheaths, purses, belts, etc… How do you keep it hydrated, prevent cracking, and keeping it look nice?
-Be Prepared-
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Can you make a better BOB than those cheap pre-made ones on Amazon?
Robert LarsonContributor - February 23, 2021 My sister sent me a link to a 72 hour kit on Amazon by Ready America, asking me if that is a good emergency bug out bag for her and her husband.
My first reaction was NO! Those cheap pre-made emergency kits are made with subpar materials, are easily marked up more than double, and you can easily make a cheaper bag with higher quality items on your own. Right?
Well, I tried to piece together a cheaper bug out bag for them, and it was actually pretty hard. Click on the “View Full Kit” button below to read more about what I learned while trying to copy this 72 hour bag.
My challenge for you guys is: Can you make a cheaper bug out bag with similar items?
Also, what other cheap items would you add to this? Sure you can easily put in a solar panel, stove, and many other expensive items. But try and keep it cheap and very very beginner to prepper or not a prepper at all friendly.
Read MoreHow has your prepping evolved?
UbiqueContributor - February 23, 2021 I remember the exact moment my prepping took an evolutionary jump.
I was listening to CBC news at work when the news broke on September 11, 2001 that our friends and neighbours to the South had been attacked. As news spread through our office, people stopped work, many of us wept, mostly, we were in shock.
When I arrived home, my Mom who lived with me after Dad died, was watching the news on TV. She had been crying, too. We exchanged looks and I knew exactly what she was thinking.
“The world has changed Mom. Be ready at 5. We’re going shopping.”
When I picked her up after work, Mom had a list ready. She survived the Nazi occupation in the Netherlands along with 12 siblings. She knew what was important.
We shopped that night to increase our supplies and expand our preps. My ex-husband and I, along with Mom, made emergency plans. If he was out of town, we knew where we would initially meet up and that I would get Mom.
Despite being raised to be prepared, I had at various times in my life drifted away from it. I always had a large pantry and some items, but there were times that I lost the mind set and focus to be better prepared. I wasn’t practising certain skill sets.
Life happens and sometimes we get distracted or diverted from what is important to us.
Sometimes, it takes events in other people’s lives to bring us back to what is important.
We began to practice preparedness at various points in time and for a variety of reasons.
How has your prepping evolved? Have your reasons for prepping changed during the time you have prepped? How have your planned responses in various scenarios changed, if at all?
Do you feel it has become simpler with time or more complicated?
Pros and cons of special diets
Jonnie PekelnyContributor - February 23, 2021 It seems that for most of my adult life I’ve had frequent periods of experimenting with my diet. Not weight loss diets, but various diets that purport to improve my health and well being. I’m not sure if my health has thereby improved or not, but that’s a little bit of a tangent. Fortunately or unfortunately, I’m not a person who must follow a specific food regimen or get very sick. E.g. I don’t have Celiac disease, so I can experiment with eating or not eating gluten. Lately, for example, I’ve been thinking of trying to eat significantly fewer carbs as a way of addressing a few physical issues.
I think one reason I experiment with diets a lot is it’s kind of an interesting project for me. Plus there’s always the hope that something will change significantly for the better. But there are a few tradeoffs to following a designer diet. One is that special diets are often more expensive than conventional diets, especially if you buy organic.
Another is that these special foods often become less available or even more expensive during times of crisis or shortage. I usually try to buy certain things organic but when the pandemic hit last year all thought of organic food or special food went out the window. My focus was on just making sure I had enough to eat at a relatively affordable price. Oh, and also there was comfort food.
Now I’ve noticed that I feel stable enough in my food supply to stat thinking about experimenting again, but the lesson is that if food shortages really do come along it will be harder to make the adjustment with a special diet. The transitions to and from a special diet can add extra stress to a crisis. Even when I travel to my home town in Russia, I often have a pretty rude dietary adjustment there. My dear friends, with whom I stay, are all about sugary snacks, simple carby potatoes and porridges, plus cold cuts and hot dogs. It’s a shock to adjust to that. Then, when I get back to the States it’s a shock to adjust back.
This makes me wonder about the viability of designer food diets when I’m trying to live with crisis preparedness in mind. My emergency food certainly doesn’t reflect my more esoteric food interests. So, if the food supply breaks down I’m going to have to have a wallop of an adjustment, in addition to any other stresses of the emergency. Is it worth sustaining that extra stress? Does it make more sense to eat more conventionally and simply? I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my food experimentation yet, and I do think there are health benefits to customized diets. What do you think?
Read MoreDomestic Intel Gathering (early warning)
Bill Masen - February 23, 2021 Intelligence Gathering
The preppers home in normal times as well as during a crisis needs to help you obtain vital intelligence on events going on in the outside world, you should consider fitting a new wide band high gain TV aerial to access analogue and digital TV stations (even foreign ones). If you have a satellite system then consider a satellite tracking system that allows you to access other satellite broadcasters. And of course last but never least an AM/FM/LW Radio aerial to greatly boost your reception of distant radio stations. Some people also have Citizens band / PMR and Amateur radio systems set up at home as an extra communications system. Try if possible to conceal as best you can any antenna you use.
And whilst it lasts a good fibre optic broadband internet service can be very handy in finding out what going on with relying on state controlled or politically biased mainstream media services. Subscriptions to digital news sources oten get breaking new out quicker and cover issues in greater depth than the MSM. During times of raised concern its wiser to not listen to music radio and switch to news broadcasts. Forewarned is forearmed as they say.
Read MoreExcerpts from the Family Prepping Guide booklet on making your home better prepared
Bill Masen - February 22, 2021 The Preppers House (v3) from the Family prepping guide booklet
As preppers we have a great need for our homes to be fitted out or uprated to help meet our enhanced needs.
Increased storage capacity across the board features highly in our plans as does extra water, food, fuel, clothing and equipment storage etc all are something we ideally need more of stored and cached. And just like our non-prepping neighbours we need as much energy efficiency, privacy and security as we can get from our homes.
Food, Clothing and Kit Storage
We need extra storage space that is preferably cool and dark to be able to store extra food supplies in for long periods of time without it spoiling. Ideally some of it should be concealed storage in places where the average person would not think to look.
I know of people who have fitted discrete hinged lids under the carpet on the stairways allowing them to hide extra food in the cavity under the stairs, people have kitchen units with false back panels fitted allow more concealed capacity. In houses with timber floors rather than concrete slabs some folks hide plastic tubs under the floorboards in the sub floor cavity. A false wall made from plasterboard in a garage gives an extra 1 foot deep storage space for one prepper I know, and false panelling in a bedroom provides extra storage for another.
At the very least we need extra larder space for our increased food stocks, very often this can be as simple as shelving units in the garage or utility room if you have them.
Some of us just keep extra food and kit in large plastic storage boxes under the bed and in the bottom of the wardrobes whilst others turn over the smallest bedroom into the prep store (the door that is always closed and locked when you get visitors)
Water
We will always need extra water storage capacity, for some more wealthy folks it could be a garden pond, swimming pool, Jacuzzi etc. But for most of us it used to be simply swapping out the 50 gallon cold water tank in the loft for a bigger tank or adding extra tanks linked in series to the original 50 gallon tank to give extra capacity (roof joist re-enforcement needed).
Others like me simply keep a good number of extra 20 or 30 litre polyethylene food grade water containers in the garage along with a high quality gravity fed water filter like a British Berkfield. (Remember a gallon of water weighs 10 pounds before you put loads of full containers in the roof spaces)
Some UK preppers store IBC 1000 liter containers in or around their properties to hold large amounts of water, they can be bought quite cheaply used from companies that recycle them, Only buy IBC’s that contained food stuffs not chemicals and clean them out thoroughly before use..
As well as extra emergency water storage systems you can reduce your reliance on the mains system by fitting rainwater catchment systems that capture the rain from your roof and direct it into large rainwater storage butts in your garden or yard.
Heating
A problem has arisen for preppers in the UK in the last 15 years with the introduction of the condensing combination boiler (furnace US) for the domestic supply of hot water and central heating. These very energy efficient devices have two massive drawbacks for preppers.
Firstly they dont use water storage tanks in the attic for their cold water feed, they are fed directly from the mains supply, and thus you lose the valuable cold water tank and expansion tank from your attic.
Secondly they dont use a gas pilot light for the boiler ignition system, they are now electrically ignited so if the power to your house goes off you lose power AND heating and hot water all at once.
Preppers with Combis need auxiliary methods of storing extra water, and alternative methods of heating the home and providing hot water with. Preppers can enhance their self-reliance by taking steps to further reduce their reliance on the mains utility system by fitting secondary or backup systems.
Heat
Emergency heating can be supplied by portable bottled gas heaters using propane or butane gas in 7 or 15 KG bottles ( or European equivalents), but a more long term investment you should consider if fitting a wood or multi fuel burning stove in the living room or kitchen (or both). Even many modern houses can now be retro fitted to house a wood burner with the advent of insulated flexible stove chimney pipes systems often made from double skinned stainless steel. A modern stove can be up to 80% efficient compared to 7 to 10 % efficiency for an open fire and a well sited stove can also double up as a cooker.
Buying a house with a chimney and fireplace is becoming ever more difficult as many modern homes no longer are built with them, so be aware of what you are getting when buying from plan.
Dont forget to plan for extra storage space to accommodate your firewood log pile ( you need at least 8 by 4 by 4 ft A CORD of wood) or bags of Coalite. If you are collecting your own firewood remember that it needs to be less than 18% ( 9% better) moisture content before being used, so a shed or outhouse may be needed to ensure it dries out thoroughly. Mine is shared out between the garage and conservatory!!), Either way your fuel supply needs to be dry and kept VERY secure.
Light
Short term emergency lighting can be provided by various means from candles, paraffin lanterns, light sticks etc, but more long term you really need to consider at the very least a solar system connected to a battery(s) that will provide you with a low powered 12 volt LED lighting system for essential areas. If space and other constraints allow you may be able to supplement the solar system with a micro wind turbine.
Footnote, Ensure your home / retreats windows are totally blacked out after dark during any crisis
Energy Saving
We must ensure we waste as little energy as possible in our preppers home even in normal times without staring Armageddon in the face. A fully insulated house is a must, walls and loft area fully insulated, under floor as well if possible. Well maintained and fitted double glazing or even triple glazing will help massively in keeping your home warm if the power goes off for any length of time. A double glazed or laminated wood / steel front and rear doors will enhance the houses insulation as well as provide improved security than an old style door fitted with a single old style door lock. The Scandinavian nations lead the way in energy efficient windows and homes.
Dont forget the very low energy requirements of LED Lightbulbs compared to Filament or flourescent tubes, a 6 watt LED bulb generates as much light as a 100watt filament bulb.
Privacy and Security
Ensuring our privacy and security during a crisis is vital, so its very important that we control approach and access to our homes and reduce light pollution that advertises our independence from the national grid power supplies. Blackout blinds and curtains (or window shutters) are an absolute must for every window and door to stop light escaping thus advertising your self-reliant position.
Multi point locking on doors and windows is a must even in normal times, but after a crisis develops you may wish to add self-adhesive laminating security film to your windows which makes gaining entry to your home via a broken window far more difficult and noisy for the intruder. It is also essential that you keep some pre-cut marine grade ½ plywood boarding to secure any windows that do get broken.
In recent years a new design of door called the COMPOSITE door has gained massive popularity in the UK, it is made of colour resistant / fire resistant polycarbonate, over wood and foam and metal core, it utilises over engineered hinges (often three or four) and much more robust multi point locking than used in UPVC doors. The door frame is of aluminium cored UPVC or Composite material and again is much more substantial than the older UPVC systems. The best versions are the government / home office APPROVED BY DESIGN types that have passed vigorous testing.
Some people have fitted security bars that pivot or swing over the doors to re-enforce the entry points. Apparently it is remarkably easy to kick in the bottom panel on most older UPVC doors made in the UK as they were designed this way to make access for firefighters easier. Equally the locks and hinges even on expensive double glazed doors do not stand up very well to police officers using a slide hammer to gain entry to execute a search warrant, so extra security devices, bars and hinges should be considered.
Note* Very often modern double glazed doors external frames are only secured to the building wall with a couple of mild steel screws in each side, this makes it very easy to simply bash the entire door and frame out with a sledgehammer, its well worth getting high tensile steel self-tapping bolts fitted which massively increase the doors security strength.
Intelligence Gathering
The preppers home in normal times as well as during a crisis needs to help you obtain vital intelligence on events going on in the outside world, you should consider fitting a new wide band high gain TV aerial to access analogue and digital TV stations (even foreign ones). If you have a satellite system then consider a satellite tracking system that allows you to access other satellite broadcasters. And of course last but never least an AM/FM/LW Radio aerial to greatly boost your reception of distant radio stations. Some people also have Citizens band / PMR and Amateur radio systems set up at home as an extra communications system. Try if possible to conceal as best you can any antenna you use.
And whilst it lasts a good fibre optic broadband internet service can be very handy in finding out what going on with relying on state controlled or politically biased mainstream media services.
House buying for preppers Amendments
In the older editions Retreat Survival booklet I refer in various chapters and sections to modifying your home or adding prepper specific requirements to your selection criteria, in this short article I thought I would just make a check list of desirable options if you are looking to move.
1. Rural or Suburban location away from major conurbations, city centers and industrial developments,
2. A south to south west facing position in order to get maximum natural light for food production and to drive a solar panel array (Northern Hemisphere).
3. Legally permitted to have double glazing, cavity wall insulation, PV panels fitted, conservatories built etc without have to get special planning permits passed because the building is listed or close to an SSSI or National Park
4. Large enough gardens to provide a reasonable percentage of your own food
5. Reasonable access to as many natural resources as possible EG woodland for firewood, healthy local water ways for fishing and obtaining water if necessary, access to open cast coal deposits, access to the coast etc one is good, any two is great, three and you are rocking.
6. A kitchen suitable for retro fitting with wood/coal/charcoal powered cookers and water heaters, preferably with a nice cool larder room or cellar.
7. Concealed or obscured veg gardens, garage and outhouses where stockpiles of timber, coal, fuel and B O Vehicles can be stored / loaded / unloaded without being viewed from the road outside.
8. Suitable out houses, lean-to’s and sheds away from the main house in good order for storing diesel, gas bottles, coal, timber etc safely.
9. Well above all known flood risks and far away from known land slip areas.
10. Not along any route, highway or track that may end up being an escape route from the city for refugees
11. A documented record of having a decent air flow most of the year that could drive a wind turbine for making electricity or lifting water from well / stream
12. Perhaps a passing stream that can be made to drop 2 meters at one spot to power an Archimedes screw hydro-electric unit.
13. Reasonable access to pasture and allotments for keeping food small breed food animals and extra growing space for crops
14. Multiple routes along various compass bearing that you can bug out along if necessary.
15. Local village has facilities of the type required by your family, IE small friendly school, local mechanics garage, blacksmiths forge, petrol station, hardware shop, extra garages for rental, sub post office, working train station etc
16. Neighbours who clearly are “into” growing their own crops and animals
17. Low reported crime figures
18. No annual or regular events that could expose you to risk such as living next door to a farm that holds 5 day Rock Concerts, No “travellers” regular stop off points etc.
19. Good radio signal reception not in a radio blind spot
20. Not near electricity pylons, gas pipe distribution pipes etc.
21. Being NOT too far away from a wind farm or PV farm COULD be beneficial in the long term as could being not to far from a workable open cast coal mine.
Add your own requirements to list list and good luck with your home buying plans.
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