Stock up Now

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 28 Oct 2010, 11:07

I seem to remember that the manuals that came with cordless phones advised that you should always have a wired phone connected, so you can make 999 calls in an emergency during a power failure, or if the cordless phone is dead. Don't they do this any more, or doesn't anyone read the instructions?

Mean Mr Mustard · Post by **Mean Mr Mustard** » 28 Oct 2010, 11:58

JohnB wrote:...doesn't anyone read the instructions?

As a model making friend advised me - "Instructions are for stopping paint and glue getting on the table."

Post by **adam2** » 28 Oct 2010, 13:03

JohnB wrote:I seem to remember that the manuals that came with cordless phones advised that you should always have a wired phone connected, so you can make 999 calls in an emergency during a power failure, or if the cordless phone is dead. Don't they do this any more, or doesn't anyone read the instructions?

The last one that I bought came with such an instruction, and as you suggest it would seem that very few people read/understand/act on the instruction.
In or after a large power cut sheeple frequently complain that theire telephones dont work, presumably either cordless ones, or provided via cable TV.

frank_begbie · Post by **frank_begbie** » 29 Oct 2010, 20:33

I can't see the Powers That Be turning the electricity off or the water.

It would mean instant panic for the population.

Most people can survive without heat, unless they live in a really cold place.

I reckon I have enough food at the moment for at least 9 months. More if the electric and water stay on.

Post by **adam2** » 29 Oct 2010, 23:08

I doubt that instant panic would be caused by short term or localised power cuts, these occur regularly in rural areas, and less frequently in urban areas.
If however it was off for longer, or permanently, that would lead to TEOTWAWKI.
The water supply wont fail in most areas, except in case of a total collapse, since it is either supplied by gravity or pumped from waterworks with backup generators. There are exceptions however including tall buildings, and hilly districts were local electric pumps are used, often without any backup power supply.

Tawney · Post by **Tawney** » 29 Oct 2010, 23:26

adam2 wrote:The water supply wont fail in most areas, except in case of a total collapse, since it is either supplied by gravity or pumped from waterworks with backup generators. There are exceptions however including tall buildings, and hilly districts were local electric pumps are used, often without any backup power supply.

Interesting. Many villages/towns/cities are built around rivers, of course. Now where's that bucket and those chlorine tablets?

featherstick · Post by **featherstick** » 30 Oct 2010, 17:43

Tawney wrote:
adam2 wrote:The water supply wont fail in most areas, except in case of a total collapse, since it is either supplied by gravity or pumped from waterworks with backup generators. There are exceptions however including tall buildings, and hilly districts were local electric pumps are used, often without any backup power supply.
Interesting. Many villages/towns/cities are built around rivers, of course. Now where's that bucket and those chlorine tablets?

We have 200 litres of drinking water downstairs, another 200 litres of rainwater in the water butt outside, and lots of chlorine tablets and a filter. Might get a few Berkey replacement filters too.

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 30 Oct 2010, 18:09

In the event of a flood all water supplies are suspect. When the sewers overflow contamination is a very real threat.

I'd be a real bummer to be prepared and have food stocked up, but end up getting a cracked skull during a scuffle in the queue for water.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 30 Oct 2010, 23:07

adam2, thanks for the mention of the Katadyn filter. They look good. Link for the retail supply of purifying tablets, shows the price at near £5 per 100. So for £200 ish, you could treat 4000 litres. For the £200 for the Katadyn filter, you could treat 50 cu m, ie 50,000 litres. and with a new filter for £100 another 50,000ltr.

frank_begbie · Post by **frank_begbie** » 30 Oct 2010, 23:29

I still have a lot to do as far as water is concerned.

Need to make a couple of wood stoves so I always have the ability to boil water.

Stock up on the purification tablets.

Also need to make a couple of those evaporation stills for when its sunny.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 30 Oct 2010, 23:32

I think the rocket stoves are the solution. Minimum processing for the wood, cheap to make, and efficient with a skirt round the pot.

frank_begbie · Post by **frank_begbie** » 31 Oct 2010, 00:02

woodburner wrote:I think the rocket stoves are the solution. Minimum processing for the wood, cheap to make, and efficient with a skirt round the pot.

Yeah, I've seen a few videos, they look really efficient and fairly easy to make.

I have the main large tin, just seeing if I can find some metal trunking (I hate buying anything)

When you're looking you never seem to find what you want.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 31 Oct 2010, 00:16

Instead of using metal then, use clay mixed with sawdust and make a ceramic one. or buy one of these I know it's spending money, but they are probably the best available.

frank_begbie · Post by **frank_begbie** » 31 Oct 2010, 00:28

woodburner wrote:Instead of using metal then, use clay mixed with sawdust and make a ceramic one. or buy one of these I know it's spending money, but they are probably the best available.

That stove looks really nice.

But its against my religion to pay for something when I know if I'm a bit patient I can make something for a lot less that will do the job just as well.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 31 Oct 2010, 08:47

Haggis wrote:In the event of a flood all water supplies are suspect. When the sewers overflow contamination is a very real threat.

A little time spent with pencil and back of envelope can suggest that this threat is sometimes exaggerated. Estimate total volume of sewage that joins the flood water and the total volume of the flood waters. Work out the dilution rate. The numbers may turn out counter-intuitive.

It may explain why outbreaks of water-borne diseases have not been associated with the British floods of recent years.

(I'd be a lot more cautious in hot countries.)