How long could you and yours survive at home?

Post by **clv101** » 27 May 2007, 18:44

Cabrone wrote:Oil won't just disappear overnight...

This and your other comments aren't really the point of this post. It's really about the fragility of systems - see what happened in Argentina - there was fighting in the streets and pets were killed for food. That was only an economic hiccup from which they half already largely recovered from. Also read about the impacts on the ground of the Soviet collapse. I would say the West is more fragile than either Argentina and the Soviets were.

Mean Mr Mustard · Post by **Mean Mr Mustard** » 27 May 2007, 22:56

As we're discussing fragility of systems, how many of you have got bottled water supplies? If there's extended power outages, some areas may flood, (no pumps) so contaminating water supplies. A large Irish town (can't remember which) recently had water disruption. Water is the number one immediate need, and costs next to nothing to stockpile. Katrina should have taught us that.

Apart from food, what else should be in your fuel / power disruption stash? Candles (four!) jerrycan of fuel, (not for normal driving, but dire emergency needs) working bicycle, bus timetables, prescription medication. Anything else?

Keela · Post by **Keela** » 27 May 2007, 23:26

I've been watching the poll here.... I can't believe that there is no-one on here with a six month supply!! Not one....(yet).

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 27 May 2007, 23:46

Cabrone wrote: Also those who think that PO means no more hydrocarbons left to burn ought to consider coal, tar sands, heavy crude and oil shale. In the short term there's a good chance that this is what we'll probably be reaching for as oil goes down.

Have you not read any of the posts about the EROEI of tar sands, heavy crude and oil shale. They have EROEIs of just over one or below one in the case of shale. We wouldn't have the energy to dig them out let alone process them in the quantity required to replace anywhere near our present usage of oil.

Sally, I voted 6 months, but we would be very carnivorous and I would have to lock up some of my cattle. There's quite a bit of fruit in the freezers and we have enough diesel to keep the genny going enough to keep the freezers cold. We have enough spuds and onions in the garden to keep us going for over a year, salad stuff we could keep going with the polytunnel and greenhouses. How much fresh food would depend on when TSHTF.

We wouldn't have many strawberries or broad beans at the moment as we have been raided by a pheasant or two. Must net them, the strawberries, and get the shotgun out. More meat!!

Tracy P · Post by **Tracy P** » 28 May 2007, 15:36

just to add to Mikes post - we have about a months worth - plenty of rice! and we do have rain water, and filter, so we have thought of the water side.
however, now that we are eating up our stocks, ready to move, we have learnt (learned?) one thing, tinned meat is not worth it! YUKKY.
I am not a food snob in any way - but I will stick to dandelions and beans! Tinned meat is nasty!

don't buy it!

SILVERHARP2 · Post by **SILVERHARP2** » 28 May 2007, 16:18

my 2 year old's standard breakfast (at his request) is oat flakes and cold milk. So why not have a 2 year supply of porridge oats (average best before seems to be around 2 years) on hand with an equivalent mix of UHT and powered milk. 3 times a day (i know boring) that gives you 8 mth supply for a couple of hundred quid and you don't have to worry about the utilities working

jonny2mad · Post by **jonny2mad** » 28 May 2007, 17:18

my former church used to say it cost about £150 for a years food supply if you buy it in dried form, I think I posted a breakdown of what to get a while back . I could last longer than 6 months not sure how long but quite a while .
you can eat porridge with hot water and its very cheap and filling get every kilnar jar you can find and keep food in them dried rice beans honey thats sort of thing