Black-Out Test Run

[lonewolf]

in the 80s I spent weeks at a time on Dartmoor, backpacking with a tent and what food I could carry, didn't see another person the whole time, its not like that now, you cant move on the moors for people.

[poppypiesdad]

OK chaps and chapesses , we've had , lpg rings , petrol/diesel powered car chargers , paraffin heaters , generators.
What happens when the fuel runs out , not just your supplies however large , but everywhere , so onto solar and wind power ...... or and I can't remember who said it steam powered generator .....

[jansman]

I read somewhere that the last meal will be cooked by the last man on Earth, over a wood fire.
Hopefully, that is a long, long way away.

[Chainsawman]

Steam; sounds good but very difficult, interesting article here: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/goebel43.html

This one seems more practical: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas (As used during the war).

[rik_uk3]

OK chaps and chapesses , we've had , lpg rings , petrol/diesel powered car chargers , paraffin heaters , generators.
What happens when the fuel runs out , not just your supplies however large , but everywhere , so onto solar and wind power ...... or and I can't remember who said it steam powered generator .....

We can easily last a year off our paraffin stock. When the fuel goes it will mostly be candles and wood/coal/peat fires for heating and cooking.

Solar and wind are options and the likes of LED draw little power so to light a couple of rooms would be no problem. One of the lads in our little 'band' is working on a small hydro generator with the aim of keeping two deep cycle batteries charged...still on the drawing board though ; I have a stream out the back and two of our alternate locations have stream and river access. Another possible option is to make a methane generator, there are some videos up on youtube showing them.

Also don't forget you don't need to heat a house or shelter if your clothing is right; hot food/drink with good clothing and you'll be fine in the UK.

[lonewolf]

Also don't forget you don't need to heat a house or shelter if your clothing is right; hot food/drink with good clothing and you'll be fine in the UK.

you'll NEED some form of heating to dry out your clothes, sitting around in wet clothes and you'll soon come down with something.

[rik_uk3]

Also don't forget you don't need to heat a house or shelter if your clothing is right; hot food/drink with good clothing and you'll be fine in the UK.

you'll NEED some form of heating to dry out your clothes, sitting around in wet clothes and you'll soon come down with something.

I sort of agree but...if you are sheltered from the elements/wind your few your damp clothes will dry on you (you won't get soaked because you know what your about and well equipped ). Sitting around in wet clothes means you have failed in your preps. Also its a myth that getting cold and wet leads to a cold or the flu, they are viral infections, hypothermia could be an issue if your kit is not up to the job though so make sure it is.

I'm playing devil's advocate to an extent but a black out test run really means nowt unless you include the failure of the heating system and no other means of heating your abode/shelter in winter, this will help you evaluate your sleeping bag and clothing. Nothing to stop you pitching a dome tent in your room and 'camping' indoors; that tent will help trap any 'loose' heat going and be surprisingly warmer than just kipping on the floor.