Jan 06 2009
Surviving Tough Times Part 1
Could you survive really tough times if you had to? If you have ever gone camping you know a little bit about survival skills. I don’t mean camping in an RV where you pull up on a slab of concrete and watch a tiny TV for a few days while you cook in a tiny kitchen. That’s not camping! I mean the kind where you bring a tent into the woods and have to build a fire with wood you gather yourself. You could go further than that and some people do, even living off of whatever edible stuff grows nearby, but that’s not really necessary to know (yet) if you are a good planner, even if something unexpected comes up, which I’m sure at this point you can easily imagine yourself. Maybe it will be caused by an economic disaster or a man-made climate disaster. Either way, it does no harm to plan a little.
Some day people might have to get used to living completely differently than they do now and that’s where some camping skills will be useful. A survival scenario might include eating lots of dried food, hiking long distances, carrying heavy packs, dealing with bloodthirsty insects, etc. If you have ever had to go a week or more without a shower and feel your back will never be the same from sleeping on a rock, you know what I mean by real camping. I have been to lots of state parks and camped in relative comfort, but I’ve also camped in places with no trace of civilization– including hearing wolves at night, being attacked by bats, and I’ve gotten very lost and dehydrated too. I also camped in the Badlands of S.D. last summer in a place with 65mph wind gusts which nearly tore my tent apart. I was literally inside holding up the walls while hoping to be able to sleep at some point. You have to be ready for anything, especially with potential wild weather coming due to climate change. Living outside, even for a little while, is not something to take lightly.
What if the worst case scenario hits and we all have to fend for ourselves somehow? That might include getting out of the city or leaving the area of where you live. I’m not the only person thinking about this, there are many groups and clubs devoted to survivalism, and there are also podcasts like Radio Ecoshock (and Civilianism) that have talked about how people should learn some basic survival skills. This is from Radio Ecoshock’s broadcast last week — some good tips no matter what happens, or doesn’t.
“Tools for Tough Times” is simple gear for an emergency, Depression or system breakdown. You may need these tools, due to a storm, civil disruption, banking failure, flu outbreak, or just a lost job and looming poverty on government hand outs. Get your gear.
Here is a short list!
TOOLS FOR TOUGH TIMES
You and I are headed into tough times. I don’t need to tell you that. The economy is crashing, exactly as the climate becomes increasingly unstable.
This is my list of must-have tools to take you through any Depression, or just a temporary break-down of the system. Those little times of trouble could be from an Earth Quake, a climate induced storm, a terrorist attack, riots, or global flu. But I think the most likely cause will be the greed of the former capitalist system. No money.
1. You need the ability to walk five miles every day. Your body is your most important tool.
2. The only way to prepare is to train. You know, actually get out and walk at least a mile a day.
3. Good foot-wear - a pair that can go 5 miles a day for three years. And an extra pair, when those wear out.
4. Rain boots and snow boots.
5. Two backpacks: one small with good support for light grocery runs. One aluminum pack frame, with optional carry bag, to carry water jugs, firewood, or your bug out gear. Must have wide waist strap, should have optional tump line to neck.
6. Rope, twine, and chain. One piece of really heavy rope, a couple of inches thick and twelve feet long. At least 25 feet of half inch rope - 50 feet would be better.
The chain is for security, to keep your gear from walking away with someone else.
7 You should have at least five 5 gallon plastic buckets with lids in your emergency supplies. Good for water, storing grain against rodents, all sorts of things.
8. “Come Along” hand winch or double pulleys.
EMERGENCY COOKING AND FOOD HANDLING
9. Two twenty pound propane tanks, full.
10. Coleman type camp stove with 2 hoses (1 extra) to connect to 20 pound propane tank.
11. Pressure cooker (”American Classic” preferred $300 if you can afford it. No gaskets, lasts a lifetime.)
12. One standard thermos, and one wide-mouthed thermos for each person in your party.
13. Camping cooler (or two).
HEAT
14. Some way to cook over wood. Fireplace, wood stove, patio wood burner, or just a camp fire.
15. Swede saw (at least 15 inch blade)(plus two extra blades)
My note: I’m not sure what a Swede saw is, but I think any little saw would be useful.
17. Axe (quality with good handle) and hatchet.
18. Learn how to identify trees by their bark.
19. Cast iron frying pan, pot, and kettle if possible. If not, all metal camp cooking set (inexpensive).
My note: I think cast iron pans are impractical if you are hiking any distance. They weigh too much!
20. Fire tongs, and fireproof oven mitts.
21. Optional: Dutch oven to bake over a fire, or even propane cook stove. (no plastic handles)!
22. Long handled shovel, rake, and hoe
23. Garden seeds to supplement your food supply.
24. Sunscreen (two years supply for all people in your family)
25. Sun hats and sun glasses (two pairs) for all in your party.
LIGHTS
26. Optional: 50 Watt solar panel (Seimens recommended, will last 25 years) and two deep discharge batteries.
27. 12 volt taillight bulbs (can run off any battery you find, with some 12 volt wire)
28. LED headlight and batteries for each person.
29. LED battery operated (100 watt brightness) for about 3 months of room light.
30. boxes of candles (lots) plus waterproof matches.
31 Two tarps - one large enough to double as a tent, one small enough to backpack and cover up at night.
32. At least 4 stretchy bungee cords, different lengths.”
Some of this is just common sense and some of it is hard to imagine how it would be necessary, but it’s all food for thought — which might be all the food you’ll have in a survival situation.
