What Should One Have When The Lights Go Out???

[Ingomike]

Not literally but metaphorically. I have learned a lot about weakness in my preps in the last few weeks. But information was plentiful online; but what if it is not? I feel like I know more than average but realized I wanted way more information not digital in format.

What should one possess to assist them when one cannot just pop online to get what you need? What books can teach the old ways? I'm never going to build a bug out bunker but practical knowledge one may need when the lights go down is interesting...

 

[ditcherman]

I have the same questions and interests; may not ever need it, may or may not follow through on it, but if things went really south, how would one survive without the knowledge we get from the internet?
I think the answer lies in knowledge passed down generationally

A Complete Foxfire Series 14-Book Collection Set with ...[url]www.amazon.com › Complete-Collection-Anniversary-...[/URL]

The Foxfire series is something I read as a kid, more with an interest in the old ways and woodsmanship, it's more than just a how to series, it covers hill people living and stories from generations. So If you need to butcher a hog or make lye soap (Like the lights are really really out!) this is a way, among others I'm sure. If you need to get your ham antenna set up or build a faraday cage this might not be it.

It is interesting to think about, imo, how we will transfer info or organize if they do go out. We may be spoiled.

 

[Ingomike]

I have the same questions and interests; may not ever need it, may or may not follow through on it, but if things went really south, how would one survive without the knowledge we get from the internet?
I think the answer lies in knowledge passed down generationally

A Complete Foxfire Series 14-Book Collection Set with ...www.amazon.com › Complete-Collection-Anniversary-...

The Foxfire series is something I read as a kid, more with an interest in the old ways and woodsmanship, it's more than just a how to series, it covers hill people living and stories from generations. So If you need to butcher a hog or make lye soap (Like the lights are really really out!) this is a way, among others I'm sure. If you need to get your ham antenna set up or build a faraday cage this might not be it.

It is interesting to think about, imo, how we will transfer info or organize if they do go out. We may be spoiled.

Is that series as good as advertised? Looked at it recently and did not feel the topics worth the money. Am I wrong?

 

[ditcherman]

Is that series as good as advertised? Looked at it recently and did not feel the topics worth the money. Am I wrong?

It probably depends what you're looking for. If its just info and don't want to hear how granny used to take Uncle Wilferds toenail clippings and boil them down with shoestrings and snakeskin to survive the hard times and other hill people stories, then no.
They can also be found for $5 used, the link I posted was ridiculous but it was the whole collection. I'm not even sure how relevant the topics would be today, but there is a lot of survival knowledge as those people lived day to day and figured it out as they went. It was an agrarian society, and we are not really anymore. Until the lights really really go out.

 

[Expat]

The books I find interesting but I am a child of Appalachia. Find a used one somewhere and see how you like them.

I don't know if your plan to have the information to read up on when we hit a TEOTWAWKI event is the way to go. I think it will be difficult at that point. The art of living poor can be practiced right now. Just like all the talk in other threads about butchering a hog, you won't even have the equipment when the time comes and you read your book. Some things like smoking aren't necessarily as easy as a book makes it sound. The best things any one can do is to have a garden and can your stuff. Hunt and process your own meat.

 

[spencer rifle]

THIS^ plus:
Where There Is No Doctor
Where There Is No Dentist
Wilderness Medicine (Forgey)
Physicians Desk Reference
Complete set of antibiotics/antiparasitics - Cal Vet Supply"
Big first aid kit
First Aid/CPR training
Canning supplies including hot water and pressure canners

 

[bwframe]

Expat has a very good point about practicing. There is something to be said for having the learning curves out of the way and trial and error behind you.

Having even a small understanding of gardening, hunting, fishing, butchering, cooking, car repair, etc, etc would put you far ahead of folks attempting to read up on things during a crisis. It would also assure you have right tools for the jobs and appropriate reference materials that actually work.

 

[Leadeye]

For us the most important thing is a plan. A plan for simple decisions buys you the time you need to make new decisions to deal with the unexpected, and time is one thing you don't get back.

 

[teddy12b]

One of the most valuable things I have on hand for my families survival and well being are all the lessons I've learned at "survival schools" especially the Pathfinder Basic class. If the "Lights go out" for real, we're going to take a little step back in time a few hundred years. Get some training classes and buy some paperback books cover areas you are weak in but also in books you can hand off to any friends or family inside your circle who may be interested in learning those new skills if/when that moment ever shows up.

I really like the logic and way the pathfinder 10'C's are laid out and I consider the first 5 to be absolute musts when in the wilderness, but the gear itself isn't nearly as important as knowing how to use them and some experience behind that. Assuming you're going to be staying home you're experience building a shelter will be dwarfed by your need to be able to cook over a small fire in the backyard. Do you have legit cookwear to use for that kind of thing and have you used it? If not, I'd at least look at a stainless bushpot as big as you can find. Can you lash things together with rope if need be? How good are you with knots? At the end of the day it's food, water, and shelter. Everything else like medical, comms and defense is icing on the cake.

Ask yourself these questions and it's a pass/fail exercise:

If someone put a ham radio in front of you, would you know what local emergency frequencies you should look for to find repeaters for information on what's going on? When's the last time you did that?

Can you start a camp fire and cook over it in the backyard? When's the last time you did that?

Can you go backpacking into the wilderness for a night or days on end and be reasonably comfortable? If so how longs it been since you did that?

Can you catch, cook and eat a fish? If so how longs it been since you did that?

Can you hunt furry critters, cook and eat them? If so how longs it been since you did that?

If all the things I mentioned above are not something you've stayed proficient at then you need to take some training classes. Most people struggle to put their pride and ego aside long enough to listen to another person as a student, but it's a must in my opinion.

 

[csaws]

Ditch Medicine book

And of course "Lights out" book

 

[MCgrease08]

Another often overlooked aspect is the social circle.

If SHTF, who will you turn to? Can you count on your current family / friends? What skills do they have? Does everyone have a defined role and an understanding of what that is?

In a lot of respects we've gotten so far away from genuine and strong community groups that we falsely believe we can do everything on our own. Not only can we not do it all, but we shouldn't.

Everyone can bring some skills to the table. The key is knowing where your skills lie, where the skills of others fit in, and how to bring everyone together.

This is a pretty big hole in my preparedness plan since my entire family is three states away. I'm finally plugged into a good church and am building some stronger relationships, but I don't have a shortlist yet of people I would call if things go sideways.

 

[COOPADUP]

I am fortunate to have many close neighbors that are average to well skilled. The area is very secured I feel.

 

[KokomoDave]

Anarchists Cookbook.

Special Forces survival book.

Home medicines and an Amish cookbook

Farmer's Almanac

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

I second the Foxfire books. It's not a be all end all, but it's a very good start.

 

[Okimar]

Water source and means of purification, source of fresh meat defensive perimeter established with fields of fire discussed with everyone you've got with you.

 

[jkdbjj]

Learn how to fight a house fire...and secure the equipment that gives you a chance. Grid down, lights out...it could be a long time until help arrives.

 

[OutdoorDad]

For us the most important thing is a plan. A plan for simple decisions buys you the time you need to make new decisions to deal with the unexpected, and time is one thing you don't get back.

This is as fine a piece of advice as you will ever get.

 

[Hookeye]

Longest we've been without power is 10 days I think (tornado damage).
Candles I like.
The LED lanterns give off a lof of light (but I find them annoyingly cold/bright).
Lost power twice today..........dunno why.

Lose power.............candles and some good books.
Gotta burn the time somehow.

 

[Hookeye]

Learn how to fight a house fire...and secure the equipment that gives you a chance. Grid down, lights out...it could be a long time until help arrives.