Have you tested your preps?

[dazz675]

As a newby i know im not ready yet, i have a well stocked every day food cupboard, however ive cleared another set of shelves , for prep food mainly for tins and bags of rice its looking quite bare, im trying hard to rectify this

[jansman]

Hi Maddie, Yes that helps thanks. I like the idea of testing preps. At the moment I have only just begun with water, tins and some basics. I would like to widen my skills to include basic survival, relocation, wild edible foods, self sufficency etc. I know a test drill would be a great way of highlighting weaknesses in your plan and to identify areas for improvement. But not sure my wife would buy into it as she doesnt even do camping as there is nowhere to plug in a hairdryer!!

Do not worry David. There are three ladies at Chez Jansman, and they are all like your Wife
We have regular powercuts, 5 mins to half a day sometimes( we are told its an old part of the system in our village?!)The ladies are always glad when I fire the gennie or switch on the LED's.
It is a good idea though and I would LOVE to test it for a few days!

[Arzosah]

Oi! Less of the 'ladies' bit remember this thread was started by a woman! You know, a female of the species

And I'm still thinking about wee ... the compost and boundary things are great ideas (and babies' wee can be used as a mild form of household cleaner, you know if they're ill and don't use it, but otherwise you do - I was born right at the end of rationing, and my mum told me she did this!). Anyway, what I mentioned about medieval times, pouring the wee out of an upstairs window, as long as it could drain over hardstanding towards a drain? I think thats still a goer, for some of it anyway, because it would be helpful for op-seccy type reasons - the smell would put some people off, whether consciously or unconsciously (you'd have to keep your own windows closed, of course, but if they were facing the street, you would anyway), and it fits the Grey Man philosophy - its uninviting, you've got nothing special, there's no reason to raid you above anyone else in the street... just thinking.

[preppingsu]

A compost toilet is the way to go and you need to start thinking about it now so you have the knowledge and supplies ready. As it breaks down it can be used in the garden.

Seem links to help you out.

http://www.natsol.co.uk/


http://www.lowimpact.org/factsheet_compost_toilets.htm


http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/ ... aders-vote

But there's lots of information out there.

Hope that helps

[Arzosah]

This is true. I knew that really. I did. Honest I just *liked* the medieval thing, just for a while Ah well, back to RL prepping.

Su, you make a good point about having the materials ready, its like anything, isn't it. Thanks!

[Juvecu]

On the subject of composting toilets, I found this site very helpful for some detailed information.

[TwoDo]

I was wondering what would be the cause of an EMP?

And also why the need to stay within the confines of the house? Wouldn't people want to get out and about in hunter-gatherer mode fro survival?

Would wind up torches and radios definately not work post EMP? Is there not a way to protect electrical devices? Thanks

A repeat of the Carrington Event of 1859 could happen at any time. If it happened today we would almost certainly loose most consumer electronics and also large chunks of the power distribution and telecommunications grids. Most power transformers would blow - it would be a while before they could be replaced as well. Since we no longer make them, we would have to import and the countries that do manufacture large power transformers would commandeer the existing stock and whatever came off the assembly line to repair their own grids before allowing exports. I leave it to your imagination exactly what the state of the country would be like after a month with no mains power.

Here is a link to the Carrington Event of 1859

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859

[Bradthunder]

Alas, I must count myself with those that are not as fully prepared as they would like. In fact, not by a long shot. I have one of those 'list' things, where you write stuff on a bit of paper with the intention of actually doing them and then placing a tick beside them. My list is very tick-less.