What Preps are you doing this week

[zaktarin]

My prep item purchase for my BOB this week was this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380722155442

Want to ensure my clothes are kept dry!

Bargain.

[Le Mouse]

Discovered a local flour mill that sells flour by the sack - they have stockists in a few places nearby, so I'll look into buying my bread flour in bulk in the future. I have a feeling flour prices will rise in the aftermath of the recent flooding.

[FEISTY]

A few more ordered bits and bobs arrived this week. I now have a fire starter and have been making kindling(?) with the fluff from the tumble drier (yes, I will miss this when SHTF) and tumble drier sheets (which I've used specially in order to make the kindling ) in anticipation. Normally the fluff goes in the composter, but it won't be missed . I also have cotton wool pads and Vaseline at the ready. My daughter is off on an indoor Explorer weekend and when I told her I had a fire-starter, was going to practice using it and, if I had any trouble, she could show me how when she came home, she said, "Well, good luck with that then," in a tone of voice and a gentle laugh, which suggested I didn't have a snowball's chance. I'm up for the challenge . How many petite 50 (but still on the young side of ) year olds can light a fire without a match. Me, me, please me, me, me ! Bought 12l water (that doesn't sound like much, but it's bloody heavy when you're petite - more will be added later) - could stick it in the garage, but ours is brick at the front and some kind of corrugated iron disguised with pebble dash on the other sides. It is robust, but is also spider heaven. Do I really want to keep drinkables and edibles in there? Hence my consideration of a shipping container (thank you for all the info Poppypiesdad(?)) (but the ones at the dock look manky - will mine (they're not cheap) become like this if I neglect it for a season?) and my sneaky looks at motorhomes, which could also be used as a BOV, if a little conspicuous. A motorhome could also give me a sewing room (aka peace and quiet from constant demands), but on the down side, a decent one is pretty expensive, requires a lot of upkeep/expense and how to sell the idea to husband who has no idea I am a fledgling prepper. Problems, problems. Think I'm going to invest in a catapult and goggles, just in case. But more food is needed, so more cans this weekend (M&S salmon (bankruptcy follows ), baked beans, soup and custard) and only buying stuff we will definitely eat, some of it cold if necessary. Next step, bulk quantities of long grain wholegrain rice and lentils and the equipment to store it (containers, Mylar bags, etc). Interested to know if preppers have gained jobs based on their organisational and problem solving skills .

[ForgeCorvus]

Feisty: If you're using the fluff to form a coal and/or a flame then its called Tinder, kindling is the tiny bits of wood that you light with your flame in order to ignite the small wood (that you could then use to light the big or main fuel depending on what your fire is for)..... Well done anyway, it took me quite a few attempts (over several weeks) before I managed to get to flame.
Spark or friction ? (I've not had sucess with friction yet)

Look into water Purifiers, much lighter to carry then gallons of water ( but heavier on the pocket)

[vassili]

Go Feisty! sounds like your on a mission, well done. Reckon you'll be getting s10 respirators off the bay soon.
Good on you.

[nickdutch]

Signed up to the Gravity Light newsletter. I hope to get one or four when they start selling them commercially.

http://deciwatt.org/frequently-asked-questions/

[Briggs]

I bought a new tick puller. Got one for the dog as well.

I fitted an antenna on the container for HF and VHF/UHF. Quite pleased with the results as it's low profile and not advertising my presence.

Tomorrow's project is convert my 24v Clansman hand winding generator to 12v. I think that will then have a multitude of emergency uses.

To Do List - Remind Feisty she needs a pencil sharpener to go with her cotton wool and vaseline.

[FEISTY]

Hi Guys! Great advice. Forge Corvus - Thanks - my technical language knowledge is pants , however I did spend a few months years ago making up a peat briquette/coal fire, but used matches - kicking myself at lost opportunity - I could have been a pro at this by now!!!! The fire starter I have is a striker type - still has the paint on it as it's been raining non-stop and blowing a gale out there (not ready for that yet ) - think my first attempt should be a dry one! I'll be looking into purifiers, but thought even a few cases of bottled water would be great if the water went off even for a short time. It has happened to us before (they can just shut off the water at whim by saying it was an emergency), but not where we're living right now. One time it happened and our oldest, who was young at the time went to the loo and tried to wash her hands. The water had gone off without our knowledge, but she didn't turn the tap off and didn't say anything and we went out for a while. Because this was an en-suite loo with a tiny sink, when the water came back on it flooded our en-suite and part of our bedroom . The Council lost a few more Brownie points that day! I'm starting small and working up. This will include water butts for our garden to save me schlepping multiple attached hoses 360 degrees around the house in the summer from a single outdoor tap. I guess this water could be purified if necessary, but I absolutely understand the problem with bugging out, which I've barely thought of, and the need to purify water for an extended period. No doubt, I'll be back with lots of questions . Vassili - re S10 respirator - yikes - you are a serious prepper ! Nickdutch - very interested in Gravity Light - candles, etc, will only last for so long and then we are stuffed for indoor lighting. Briggs - way ahead ! Have already dug out kids' old metal sharpener (these are the best). Found some metal double ones online and was about to order when my internet went awol. Take two probably tomorrow (or is that today?) This is all making me look at life differently. Now appreciate that my kids are good at archery (thank you Scouts, Guides and School trips) - not sure I could get them to shoot a bunny though - maybe if they were hungry enough ... Night night!

[ForgeCorvus]

Firesteel? (AKA Ferro- rod or Ferrocerium rod)


Good basic system, no moving parts and can be used to light most things (I think I've seen Ray Mears on TV lighting an alky stove with his)

I don't like the magnesium block ones though.

[Yorkshire Andy]

weyesterday went to York..... found a army surplus / airsoft/ airgun shop which i could have spent hours in


http://www.bluemoonguns.com/


then the chap from there suggested i checked the army surplus stall on york market just off the shambles,,,,

well erm...... i spent a bit........

from blue moon..

NBC Suit £5 (nice and cheap for overalls still Vac packed)
several ammo pouches and the like £1.50 each
few knife pouches £1 each

then the market
pair of combat trousers £10
goretex sleeping bag cover (british army brand new) £30


Then went to Tockwith motorsports center and spent an hour on the skid pan