What might be some preps we've overlooked?

[Fred_47460]

I got the idea for this topic from Podcast #242.....I think was the number. There may be some preps you've thought of that we haven't. Here is the place to share those ideas. If you have a [Damn, I'm glad I thought of that] idea....please pass it on!!

I'll get it started with....I bought some hand tools that require no electricity in case there IS no electricity. A hand powered drill (looks like an old egg beater), hand saws....etc. Stuff you can buy VERY cheaply at yard/garage sales.....at least you can buy them cheaply NOW anyway....if the SHTF you'll pay dearly for them if you can find them at all!

[cert_member]

A crank-flashlight

Example: 
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-99239380869547_2063_113565766

I find most crank flashlights don't burn as bright as the better battery-powered ones. But they are independent of any kind of power.

Here is something that might be of intrest to some.

Fx: Portable, Hip-Pocket, Hand-Crank Power Generator

Looks appealing to me.

[Darkwinter]

A clothesline and clothes pins:  No power no dryer.  If you don't already hang your clothes out to dry, you might want to think about a clothesline.

books, novels, board games, deck of cards, and other non electric entertainment:  without power, we need to keep family members entertained to alliveiate stress

Extra candel wicks:  As candles burn down, you can remelt the left over candle and make new ones.

Nails, screws, lumber, and plywood:  Need to build a solar shower?  Outhouse?  Board up a broken window?  Need to have some extra building supplies on hand.

Picture wire:  great for binding things and setting snares.

Sewing machine, needles, thread:  mend or make clothing and blankets

Magic seem:  i carry a bottle of liquid fabric glue to mend clothing or tents, works great in an emergency.

[Dene B.]

We've been looking at alternative cooking methods - solar cooker, cast iron pans for cooking over open fire, dutch oven

[Winchester32]

Baking Soda.

I list this because it has so many practical uses in one box.  It covers lots of bases without taking up lots of room.

1) Levening agent for cooking.
2) Multipurpose agent for cleaning around the house. And it's non toxic.
3) A good additive in the laundry for freshening.
4) Brushing teeth.  Probably the best whitening agent on the market.
5) Antacid.  Yes, I have tried it and it really does work well on a sour stomach.
6) Medical aid.  As a kid, my mom mixed up a heavy past using water and applied it to bee strings.  Worked great. 

[Copyright 1972]

Here's one that I haven't heard anyone mention:

Condoms. 

Ever hear about the times where there's a big jump in newborns 9 months after some weather type event?  Yep, it happens.  Like the motto says "Allways be prepaired".

You can use them for other stuff too, I've seen "survival shows" on TV where they have been used to carry water, and keep stuff dry.  I supose you could even use them to keep a bandage on your finger....

[Mr. Bill]

I woke up this morning thinking about pencils.  (We can skip the psychoanalysis...)  The few pencils in the house are all about 30 years old -- we just never use them.  I imagine that could change if TSHTF.

So anyway:

Pencils.
Pens.
If you're prepping for TEOTWAWKI, fountain pens (or pen nibs and a holder), bottles of ink (or a recipe for making your own).
On the higher-tech side: a reliable computer printer with lots of refills.
Paper.

[flashcard]

Here's one that I haven't heard anyone mention:

Condoms. 

Ever hear about the times where there's a big jump in newborns 9 months after some weather type event?  Yep, it happens.  Like the motto says "Allways be prepaired".

You can use them for other stuff too, I've seen "survival shows" on TV where they have been used to carry water, and keep stuff dry.  I supose you could even use them to keep a bandage on your finger....

When I used to work in theatre, we'd use them to cover the smoke detectors if we were doing smoke/fog effects on stage.

They're one of those stocks that're really important to rotate, though!

[Notsonutso]

my favorite..............................

Duck Tape, it's only limit is imagination!

[Beetle]

  How about Cheese cloth to help process game with and I guess for straining things
  String
  Couple good pairs of scissors
  Sturdy wheel barrow
  Second on the nails

[Archer]

it's the little things that matter:
-metal measuring cups/spoons
-shoe/boot laces
-spare belt
-screws/screw driver set for glasses/sunglasses
-finger/toe nail clippers
-clean handkerchiefs

EDIT: added s to handkerchief

[Darkwinter]

i have young kids, so one thing I over look is a toy, or a book.  I thought about that a lot when I read the "Road".  Just keeping up ones spirit is important too.  I guess for us adults, maybe a book would be nice as well.  Something to take your mind off things and unwind.

[Larry G]

I got the idea for this topic from Podcast #242.....I think was the number. There may be some preps you've thought of that we haven't. Here is the place to share those ideas. If you have a [Damn, I'm glad I thought of that] idea....please pass it on!!

I'll get it started with....I bought some hand tools that require no electricity in case there IS no electricity. A hand powered drill (looks like an old egg beater), hand saws....etc. Stuff you can buy VERY cheaply at yard/garage sales.....at least you can buy them cheaply NOW anyway....if the SHTF you'll pay dearly for them if you can find them at all!

There is a pretty good list of supplies on my website http://www.drum-runners.com if interested

[MightyRunt]

Trash bags, all sizes

[TNDadx4]

There is a pretty good list of supplies on my website http://www.drum-runners.com if interested

Nice resource site, LarryG! If I could assign Karma, you'd get a +1 from me

[Larry G]

This may be useful

Homemade Berkey Water Filter
http://www.drum-runners.com/Water%20-%20Home%20Made%20Berkey%20Water%20Filt...pdf

Water Treatment
http://www.drum-runners.com/Water%20-%20Water%20Treatment.pdf

[robt871]

LarryG +1

[SouthernLiving]

Here are a few ideas...

Rope, blocks, and tackle
Come-a-long
12V electric wench

[union hill]

Here are a few ideas...

....
12V electric wench

Whoah, too much information! 

[babeinthewoods]

Chocolate. Total comfort food - and talk about a barter item!! Seriously though. If there is no chocolate in the house my wife almost has a nervous breakdown - it is a necessity for us to have around, especially...umm at certain times.

Several of the different MRE meals include chocolate (it was a mars bar back in the day) and it stores OK - it just gets a little dry and flakey but it is still good and if you melt it is is perfect.

[Flannel]

I keep a small assortment of heavy duty plastic tarps at the house and an assortment of roofing nails, sheet rock screws and washers to help fasten the tarps for an emergency repair for the roof or to temporarily cover a broken window.

[docred]

I have heard people mention on the forum and Jack on the show about people making their own salt.

If you are planning to make your own salt, you need to have some plan for iodine supplementation. Most salt sold in the US is supplemented with iodine. Without adequate intake of iodine, you will develop thyroid disease.

[Beetle]

   Yeast
    Baking soda and powder
    tooth paste
    razors

[TimSuggs]

Easy to obtain (now) OTC medical hardware and devices like BP cuff, Glucometer (blood sugar), stethoscope, etc.  Not sure if a fingertip pulse oximeter (measures blood O2 levels) is Rx or not, but they are great.  Portable oxygen tanks, regulators, tubing sets and masks or cannula's.  Thermometers.  And my wife ("the" Nurse) just informed me that O2 is considered a drug and so is a regulated item.  But if you already have someone who has the need for portable O2 (and the Rx's), get extra filled tanks and spare gear.

Tim.

[Beetle]

Easy to obtain (now) OTC medical hardware and devices like BP cuff, Glucometer (blood sugar), stethoscope, etc.  Not sure if a fingertip pulse oximeter (measures blood O2 levels) is Rx or not, but they are great.  Portable oxygen tanks, regulators, tubing sets and masks or cannula's.  Thermometers.  And my wife ("the" Nurse) just informed me that O2 is considered a drug and so is a regulated item.  But if you already have someone who has the need for portable O2 (and the Rx's), get extra filled tanks and spare gear.

Tim.

    Add Crutches, cane and wheel chair.

[fred.greek]

Additional "space" and starting supplies, emergency clothes, etc., for those family / friends who show up, and you can't turn them away....

Seeds, and cuttings from plants, if you're not running an all out garden now, at least kept stored, or alive and healthy in a small container...  Yes they're "clones", but a bunch of cuttings kept small can grow to full garden size faster than sprouting seeds...  Research calorie crops for your area, and FIND a way to grow vitamin and herbal medicine crops.

Solar path lights...  not much light, but we've found one each side of the mirror in the bathroom can be enough to conduct semi-normal "operations"....  Remember to put them back outside...

A means, such as you select, to "recycle" urine and humanure to your plants... if you're squeamish, use it as fertilizer on non-crops, then compost those for your crops… 

For overall thoughts, try:

http://sca21.wikia.com/wiki/Sustainable_Civilization

[Himarker]

I will add an LED headlamp.  I was reading on another blog how much more productive you can be in the dark with a headlamp leaving both your hands free.  For example doing the dishes.

To add to the medical supplies,  I have a few of those old leg braces around from when I injured my knee.  The kind that the hospital gives you that doesn't allow  your knee to bend at all.  They are great for me when I re-injure my knee to help with the recovery.

[mash]

A nit comb, especially if you have kids.

the kind that have little metal posts work the best. like this-



the plastic ones miss a lot, and the ones that are one solid piece of metal pull out half the hair along with the bugs.

[Adam]

I concur with those who mentioned medical / first aid items. I think you need a GOOD first aid kit, not one of those small pre-made kits from Walmart or similar. Don't just buy a kit and assume it has what you need.  Get one that has more than you need or better yet build your own.
Even more important than the items are the skills and knowledge to know what to do. At a minimum get trained in CPR and basic first aid.   In a SHTF scenario you can live weeks with no or little food, at least a day or two without water, but some injuries could kill you in minutes if not cared for properly. I know many of us are prepared to do without police, but can you say thw same about paramedics/emt/fire dept?

[mamabear]

Something that I don't see mentioned is herbal remedies. I personally use echinacea/goldenseal complex, zinc, vitamin c, st johns wort, etc. Especially the herbs used for inflammation and anitbacterial (or is bacteriostatic or whatever the word is?) uses will be a necessity for those of us that can't get our hands on medicines.