Adjusting my mindset

[OctopusPrime]

So I'm new to this and I'm trying to wrap my head around what is needed to survive a finantial and social meltdown.

It's amazing how much we take for granted. Everytime I list (writing a few lists at present) a problem that will arise a new problem pops up... My lists are starting to look like a tangled spiderweb.

How do you tackle this? One thing at a time?
This is quite overwhelming... I have more questions than I dare to ask

[poppypiesdad]

Ask away that's what were here for .

One thing at a time always the best but not always the cheapest.

You could start with for example

Security of your home
Food
Water
Heating
Lighting

then all the toys

J

[Briggs]

I know how you feel, it's overwhelming and certainly can twist your melon about. The way I look at things is to think about losing a resource and then plan out how to prep, so for example:

what would you do if you turned the tap and no water came out and it's off for every house in the neighbourhood? How would you prep for this immediate situation? What about a week down the line? three weeks?

What would happen if the power went out. This one is my current topic and I'm working out how best to keep my router and femtocell working because without them I'm in a telephone and internet blackout. My two way walkie-talkie radios have a range of 1.5km at the most, so I'm now on the lookout for more powerful radios. It's never-ending isn't it?

That's how I keep my noggin from going insane, think scenario, then plan the prep, one step at a time. On the bright side it's not a bad hobby is it?

[OctopusPrime]

Thanks that is a good way to break it up

I was kinda doing this with water, obvious solution was rainwater collection... Was half way through looking up materials and I needed a piss. As I flushed the toilet I thought "ah crap, one more thing to plan for"

How deep does the rabbit hole go eh!

[Yorkshire Andy]

more thing to plan for"

How deep does the rabbit hole go eh!

Dont know but you will have one p155ed off bunny if you defecate in its warren.. If its deep it could last a few weeks however...





It can soon turn expensive this hobby

For water i would go out back and get the shovel out the water table here is about 2ft down most of the year.......

you dont need masses of state of the art kit.....

a Millbank a pile of puritabs or some way to boil the water should get you safe drinkable water....
food stock pile hit the supermarket and seek out own budget brand and special offers...
Some of the stuff from the pound shop is ok for what it costs
for example

[Arzosah]

How deep does the rabbit hole go eh!

Dont know but you will have one p155ed off bunny if you defecate in its warren.. If its deep it could last a few weeks however...

Seriously, I think focussing on one thing, like water, is a great idea. This is what I've done:
- 6 x 5 litre bottles of water.
- box of puritabs
- posh filter, good brand (I bought the backpacker version)
- got the makings of an emergency filter, making it from a 2l water bottle.
- got a couple of water butts. I needed to buy plumber's thread to tighten the tap fixture (and I haven't used it yet nor have I had the water butts actually fixed to the downpipe).
- still thinking about solar stills ... its likely to be most useful in the summer, when we might have run out of water, so it would work, and might save many crops.

Toilet paper replacements
- home made peri bottles - any empty bottle that you squeeze - like a focussed bidet
- re-useable wipes - someone suggested the fake shammies you get in poundshops - I haven't found any recently, so I gathered the ones I *do* have, disinfected them, and put them through the washing machine on a slightly higher temp than normal. If needed, they can be cut up into appropriate-sized oblongs.
- bleach
- container with a lid, solution of water and bleach in there, to put the used wipes in till they can be washed.
- couple of rolls of plastic bags.
- separate container for all the supplies.


I've also read about smooth stones - cleaning yourself with one of them first, before using a wipe I can understand the theory, but I haven't experimented

[OctopusPrime]

more thing to plan for"

How deep does the rabbit hole go eh!

Dont know but you will have one p155ed off bunny if you defecate in its warren.. If its deep it could last a few weeks however...

Here bunny bunny bunny

thanks

[OctopusPrime]

How deep does the rabbit hole go eh!

Dont know but you will have one p155ed off bunny if you defecate in its warren.. If its deep it could last a few weeks however...

Seriously, I think focussing on one thing, like water, is a great idea. This is what I've done:
- 6 x 5 litre bottles of water.
- box of puritabs
- posh filter, good brand (I bought the backpacker version)
- got the makings of an emergency filter, making it from a 2l water bottle.
- got a couple of water butts. I needed to buy plumber's thread to tighten the tap fixture (and I haven't used it yet nor have I had the water butts actually fixed to the downpipe).
- still thinking about solar stills ... its likely to be most useful in the summer, when we might have run out of water, so it would work, and might save many crops.

Toilet paper replacements
- home made peri bottles - any empty bottle that you squeeze - like a focussed bidet
- re-useable wipes - someone suggested the fake shammies you get in poundshops - I haven't found any recently, so I gathered the ones I *do* have, disinfected them, and put them through the washing machine on a slightly higher temp than normal. If needed, they can be cut up into appropriate-sized oblongs.
- bleach
- container with a lid, solution of water and bleach in there, to put the used wipes in till they can be washed.
- couple of rolls of plastic bags.
- separate container for all the supplies.


I've also read about smooth stones - cleaning yourself with one of them first, before using a wipe I can understand the theory, but I haven't experimented

Some nice ideas there, thanks
I am a plumber (as well as a carpenter) by trade, so if you need help on the plumbing side hit me up via PM

[Panther]

As you have realized lists are not just useful but absolutely essential.

Start with a list of all the lists you need to make. It will probably look something like this:

Water list
Food and Drink list
Non-Food supplies list
First Aid/Medications list
Fuel list
Power list
Tools list
Security list
Communications list

This "list of lists" is not complete; I'm sure you can think of a few more categories that should be included. If you PM me I'll be happy to share with you my full list of lists and discuss what sorts of things might be on each individual list.
Once I'd made my initial lists I found it helped clarify my thoughts and I subsequently found it easier to prioritize what items to collect first.

[nickdutch]

Why start with preparing for societal collapse? Why not start with what would you do for food if you lost your job, then move on to another likely scenario and then another and gradually buildup what you are preparing for?