What Preps are you doing this week

[Attack Warning Red]

Ordered:

2 x US army can openers - can't wait to try these next time I open a tin. These'll go in the kit along with the mess stuff.

Doan magnesium fire starter - Next time I'm in the woods I'll give this a go. Never used a fire starter before, so should be interesting. Heard bad things about the cheapo Chinese fire sticks, so went for a decent American make.

[janso]

Finally did a test this morning with the hexi cooker and bits. Wife had gone to work, so did myself a nice 'All Day Breakfast' out in the back garden.

It's been a long time since I've cooked on a hexi, and forgot that it burns fiercely for ten mins and then dies! Managed to do breakfast in my mess tin, although the cheapo tin opener on my food utility penknife couldn't cut the can, despite piercing it.

Wind guard worked well and kept the draft off. And I forgot about the fumes!

A good test of my gear. Learnt I have to get a decent tin opener and to halve the hexi tablet if I want tea afterwards...

With hexi blocks, its always a good idea to break the tablet into pieces before using, a lot more efficient..... I always found it easiest as I was kneeling down to light it, to bang a tablet against my opposite knee and there you go. Burning hexi tabs whole, doesnt really ration them as well!
And GI issue tin openers are great, just a bit fiddly sometimes with cold hands!

[Attack Warning Red]

Thanks Janso - I'll bear that in mind for next time!

I'm looking forward to the can openers coming. I'm easily pleased!

[Attack Warning Red]

Just did an indoor test of my mylar emergency tube tent. That thing is huge - much bigger than I thought. Just needs a few small clamps on the apex, and the bottom/sides can be spaced out using other rucksack items to make the shape. But warm and cosy inside - I think you could easily spend a stormy night in one.

Only cost me a few quid on Ebay last year. Handy for the GHB. (I already have a 2-man Bothy Bag for when I'm in the mountains.)

[itsybitsy]

Wind up radio/torch
Wind up phone charger
Cyalume light sticks from fleabay - a bargain, I think, at £7.49 for 10 x 6" green lightsticks, including postage

[itsybitsy]

Just did an indoor test of my mylar emergency tube tent. That thing is huge - much bigger than I thought. Just needs a few small clamps on the apex, and the bottom/sides can be spaced out using other rucksack items to make the shape. But warm and cosy inside - I think you could easily spend a stormy night in one.

Only cost me a few quid on Ebay last year. Handy for the GHB. (I already have a 2-man Bothy Bag for when I'm in the mountains.)

Would you be willing to post a photo of this?

[the-gnole]

Have you seen these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10x-cyalume-GREEN ... 45f8217526

I also got a load of 30 minute hi intensity and a carrier for them which allows me to stop them glowing by using a slide to cover it.

Also these are very good for bulk buying.

http://ukglow.com/6inchglowsticksbulk.asp

100 for £29.99 + P&P

[Attack Warning Red]

Gnole - I'll have to dig out my glowsticks. I've got some green ones, a pack of four I think. Never got round to using them! Handy emergency light, although I always carry two torches + spare batteries.

Itsy - Here we go, an Ebay link to the one I have:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Travel-Emergency- ... 35af525495

You can probably pick it up for a couple of quid in your local pound shop - I've seen the Outdoor Solutions range in my local one. Outdoor Solutions also do handy stuff like emergency blankets and mess tins etc. Cheap but good for campers and, er, preppers like us!

[itsybitsy]

Just did an indoor test of my mylar emergency tube tent. That thing is huge - much bigger than I thought. Just needs a few small clamps on the apex, and the bottom/sides can be spaced out using other rucksack items to make the shape. But warm and cosy inside - I think you could easily spend a stormy night in one.

Only cost me a few quid on Ebay last year. Handy for the GHB. (I already have a 2-man Bothy Bag for when I'm in the mountains.)

Just taken a look at the link - thanks for that. Just a question - how would close up the ends?

[Attack Warning Red]

Itsy - you don't really when it's hanging like it is in the picture, but you could experiment and have one end of the rope going down to the ground, maybe using a tent peg, so that one end closes over. Kind of cone/wedge shaped.

Also the front door could be closed over a little using some mini plastic clamps (try your local hardware/tool shop). But don't forget to leave a decent gap for ventilation, as it's all plastic!

One thing - you won't be able to fold it as neatly as when it is packaged, but it still folds up fairly flat and weighs virtually nothing.