Wot no preps? [/chad]

What changes can we make to our lives to deal with the economic and energy crises ahead? Have you already started making preparations? Got tips to share?

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SleeperService
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Post by SleeperService »

How long have you been preparing adam2? :shock:

I have just got a tilley lamp and thought I was progressing. Instead I realise I've barely taken the first step :?
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RenewableCandy
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Post by RenewableCandy »

I think the law of diminishing returns applies here: the distance between "No preps at all" and "one month food stash, matches and tilly lamp" is as great as the distance between the latter and, say, the latter plus waterbarrels, woodburner, wood and small pv stuff.

But that's because I'm a Slow Crash walla. We're not going to go for Geiger-counters or gas masks here at Chateau Renewable.
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SleeperService
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Post by SleeperService »

RenewableCandy wrote:I think the law of diminishing returns applies here: the distance between "No preps at all" and "one month food stash, matches and tilly lamp" is as great as the distance between the latter and, say, the latter plus waterbarrels, woodburner, wood and small pv stuff.

But that's because I'm a Slow Crash walla. We're not going to go for Geiger-counters or gas masks here at Chateau Renewable.
One of my ex-workmates showed me a picture of (what I assume is Chateau Renewable) a house in York almost totally concealed by an enormus woodpile. He was delivering furniture (MultiYork no less) just down the road.

Agree about the Geiger-counters I don't think a radioactive world will be long term human survivable no matter what :(
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RenewableCandy
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Post by RenewableCandy »

A-ha! That house is not Chateau Renewable, but I do know which you mean, and whose it is!
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adam2
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Post by adam2 »

SleeperService wrote:How long have you been preparing adam2? :shock:

I have just got a tilley lamp and thought I was progressing. Instead I realise I've barely taken the first step :?
I have prepared, to an extent, since I grew up.
An upbringing during the 1970s power cuts and strikes and shortages helped.
In recent years I have made more extensive preps as the world seems to be getting worse.

Re the Tilley lamp, I hope that you have practised lighting it, have plenty of spare mantles, and parrafin. Other spare parts would be prudent as well.
A tilley lamp is one of the few non electric lights that permits of comfortable reading or fine work.
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adam2
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Post by adam2 »

SleeperService wrote:Agree about the Geiger-counters I don't think a radioactive world will be long term human survivable no matter what :(
I doubt that an all out nuclear war or generally radioactive world would be survivable.
But Fukushima was survivable for most was it not ? I have no doubt that many of those affected would have been glad of a geiger counter.
Many unstable countries have nuclear weapons or are suspected of trying to aquire such. If a hanfull of nuclear weapons were used, hundreds of miles away from us, most of us should survive. Survival chances would be enhanced by knowing the radiation level, in order to determine if sheltering is sensible, or if it is safe(ish) to go out.
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SleeperService
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Post by SleeperService »

adam2 wrote:
SleeperService wrote:Agree about the Geiger-counters I don't think a radioactive world will be long term human survivable no matter what :(
I doubt that an all out nuclear war or generally radioactive world would be survivable.
But Fukushima was survivable for most was it not ? I have no doubt that many of those affected would have been glad of a geiger counter.
Many unstable countries have nuclear weapons or are suspected of trying to aquire such. If a hanfull of nuclear weapons were used, hundreds of miles away from us, most of us should survive. Survival chances would be enhanced by knowing the radiation level, in order to determine if sheltering is sensible, or if it is safe(ish) to go out.
I accept your point :)

Yes, got plenty of parafin as I use it all the time for cleaning engines etc. Ditto mantles. Other parts to follow. They are a bit 'tempremental' aren't they :? Amazed at the light output and the heat as well. Definately a 'good' purchase.
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DominicJ
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Post by DominicJ »

Nothing much, job hunting dominates now.

If all goes well, I'll get my redundancy on the 31st of march, start my new job on the 1st of april, pay off most of my debts, the inlaws will sell their house, pay me back and I can pay off the rest and remortage, hopefully with change left over the buy that field, which sadly, does contain a footpath, but no one is likely to notice if I fence that off to the side.
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SleeperService
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Post by SleeperService »

DominicJ wrote:Nothing much, job hunting dominates now.

If all goes well, I'll get my redundancy on the 31st of march, start my new job on the 1st of april, pay off most of my debts, the inlaws will sell their house, pay me back and I can pay off the rest and remortage, hopefully with change left over the buy that field, which sadly, does contain a footpath, but no one is likely to notice if I fence that off to the side.
You'd be better off getting the path rerouted around the edge of the field officially. The Ramblers Association is very keen on countering unofficial alterations, at least around here. it's a PITA but better in the long run.

In a similar situation at the moment trying to decide whether to set up a business myself. Ho hum :?
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energy-village
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Post by energy-village »

adam2 wrote:
SleeperService wrote:Agree about the Geiger-counters I don't think a radioactive world will be long term human survivable no matter what :(
I doubt that an all out nuclear war or generally radioactive world would be survivable.
+1.

Though after seeing Threads I wouldn't want to survive the first blast anyway.
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RenewableCandy
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Post by RenewableCandy »

Seeing Threads would probably give me a morbid fear of ever going to Sheffield again.
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snow hope
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Post by snow hope »

RenewableCandy wrote:Seeing Threads would probably give me a morbid fear of ever going to Sheffield again.
I remember seeing Threads the first time on TV (in the early 80s?) and it scared the begiibes out of me. I saw it again a few years ago and it did the same all over again. :shock: I think what scared me so much on both occasions, was that I could see the possibility of it actually happening. :cry:

In fact I had a discussion with my mother a few months ago and she reminded me how concerned I was as a teenager and young adult about nuclear war back in the late 70s and early 80s.....

edit - Struth - read this if you dare. :cry: :cry: :shock:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threads
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bealers
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Post by bealers »

snow hope wrote:In fact I had a discussion with my mother a few months ago and she reminded me how concerned I was as a teenager and young adult about nuclear war back in the late 70s and early 80s
I was at secondary school in the 80s and I clearly recall being considerably concerned about the same.

War Games? Two tribes? That Raymond Briggs thing that David Bowie did the music to?
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Post by Tarrel »

That Raymond Briggs thing that David Bowie did the music to?
"When The Wind Blows"
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Post by Tarrel »

"Threads" - I have a digital copy of the film. Horrifying! Key images that are burnt into my brain:
Doctor sawing a limb off in the hospital
Woman cradling her dead child
Dying cat
The whole city filled with the sound of screaming
And many others!
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