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Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Whether it be from earth changes, solar flares or political and social upheavals, I believe we should begin preparing for living off the grid. There might come a time in the near future when we will have to provide for ourselves and family without electricity, pumped in water supply, energy for cooking and heating, waste management, ventilation and food supplies.
Even if we remain in our homes during the coming times of change, we will still need to know how to provide food, water and shelter. We should obtain this knowledge while there is still time.
I would like to begin with providing a couple of you tube videos and hope that others can share the same:
How to build a two can stove: https://youtube.com/watch?v=a5Q2-mXk4Bo
Building chimney parts: https://youtube.com/watch?v=YbN5xhV8Auo
The list is endless:
Growing Food, Animal Husbandry, obtaining water, first aid, etc., etc.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
I agree yiolas, saw this a few years back, and thought it would be cool to make a dog house using this technique, but, alas, no dog house yet, life just seems to be getting in the way. ;)
I find this following construction interesting, but of course it would have to be built withing the right conditions for such material. (I am not associated with this company at all, just ran into it during one of my searches.)
Living In Paper - 2010
Papercrete is relatively light and quite strong, which makes it an ideal material for building arches, domes, and vaulted ceilings. In practical terms, the advantage of domes and vaulted ceilings is that they obviate the need for expensive and often insufficiently insulated roof systems. Papercrete is used for the ceilings as well as the walls. Besides providing great insulation, this minimizes the number and variety of tools necessary in construction. Over the life of a home, the roof is arguably the area which requires the most maintenance. By building dome and vaulted ceilings, a great deal of extra maintenance expense is avoided. In aesthetic terms, curved lines, rounded openings and high ceilings are simply more interesting, graceful, comforting and relaxing than sharp lines and squares. Both designs have their place.
Sean Sands builds his domes using fidobe, a version of papercrete with no cement. (Some practitioners have expressed the viewpoint that using unstabilized padobe or fidobe blocks for domes may be unsound.) See Mixes for more information on various papercrete formulas. Sean's building methodology is fascinating and simple. He starts by attaching a rope to a pivoted anchor set in the ground at the center point of the proposed dome. He then stretches the rope taut, and ties a knot in the rope at the radius of the dome. With the rope pulled taut, that knot can be moved left or right, up or down, to define all possible horizontal and vertical arcs. To build the dome, the rope is pulled taut and each block is positioned so that the knot can touch the block's inner surface. As each course of block is laid, the knot and the angle of the rope determine the gradual inward position and tilt of the blocks. This procedure is followed all the way to the top of the dome. As each layer of block is completed, that course locks into place against itself. This makes it possible to build the dome without any interior support. According to Sean, it's similar to building a paper igloo, but without the need to shape the individual blocks. When the dome is complete, Sean digs out the earth beneath it to create higher ceilings. Sean's domes are a testament to what is possible with papercrete, a rope, a mixer and a few hand tools.
Link, http://www.livinginpaper.com/domes_vaults.htm
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
There are two ways to approach this: Those that live in city/urban areas and those that live in the country. I live on a farm so it is way different for me then for those that live in cities and other urban areas. It will not be near as difficult for me to hunt, fish, grow a garden, get water etc. as I do most of those things now. We grow garden food and have livestock, lakes/ponds and other water sources, and LOTS of open space to do/build whatever we want. This is not true for all others. Really concise plans are in order for those that are caught living in city/urban areas. This is very important to do - to be prepared for when/if the grid goes down.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
HORIZONS
I live on a farm so it is way different for me then for those that live in cities and other urban areas. It will not be near as difficult for me to hunt, fish, grow a garden, get water etc.
I envy you my friend. Its always been one of my dreams to live that kind of life being more in tune with nature and living away from industry and city life, dependent on your own skills to survive and can even grow your own food.
I think one of the most important things people need, I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but a good stock of high quality/grade Vitamin C, good stock of antibiotics, and any other medicine like an analgesic anti-inflammatory (aspirin). One thing you can't discount if the world plunges into some chaotic situation is how the state of health would be, I'm pretty inclined that disease would become more widespread (population reduction? who knows, you never know), and you need these meds; not only in this hypothetical scenario, but you need these things right now, you should if you don't.
Peace,
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
MMS would be top of my list. Easy to transport, and good vs lots of different problems, its even a water purifier.
I built a self sufficient farm 13 years ago and learned a lot of different techniques. These days I would say fuel (firewood) and good water are perhaps the main requirements (with shelter of course). If you have the good fortune to have a good water supply and a drop in elevation, then micro hydro would be the way forward if you needed power generation.
I gave my farm to my son when I toddled off to India, Im still semi nomadic, perhaps that is my strategy if TSHTF? I have a fair idea what will be in my rucsac :)
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Majorion -- You are correct my friend, and this is exactly what I have been doing - stockpiling homeopathic meds, vitamins and mineral supplements. I can generate colloidal silver as well. All of these will be needed, and will be GREAT for bartering. There will be a big need of natural products and know-how in a situation like this.
I grew up in S. Cal (beach cities) and slowly made my way out to this farm life. I went from a corporate management position to a poultry farmer. Hows that for change!!! I HAD to get away from all of the corporate industrial hodgepodge of crazy energy, and I was able to. It's not an easy transition but it CAN be done. Now I am working on developing a self-sufficient life as much as possible. That too is not easy - but it WILL be done. :-) All I know to do is to "keep a plowing".
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Horizons, thanks for this thread. I went from living the pampered life in the city to living on our family land. We have cows, chickens, etc. Tomorrow I start planting the garden. Of course I am learning as I go. Today we seperated the mama cows from the calfs and they are still mooing!
I'm thinking of buying the latest in solar and keeping in a faraday cage until needed.
I have fresh water and lots of firewood. I will be doing a ton of canning this year.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
There are two different kinds of canning: Pressure and water bath. Each kind has its benefits depending on what you are canning. As a general rule, you shouldn't can more than what you can eat over the winter.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
I have a steam canner and I will report on how well it works this fall. We have ten fruit trees so I will be sharing alot and there are many mouths to feed on the mountain so I won't let it sit around too long.
Edit: All my city friends think I'm nuts. :wacko:
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
MargueriteBee
I have a steam canner and I will report on how well it works this fall. We have ten fruit trees so I will be sharing alot and there are many mouths to feed on the mountain so I won't let it sit around too long.
One of the things I played with was a solar dehydrator. This is great for all fruit, I understand they retain much of their goodnes and vitamins after dessication, have a shelf life of many years and are small to pack and carry. We built a small wooden dehydrator that looked rather like a chest of drawers and worked very well...
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
[QUOTE=MargueriteBee;1491
I'm thinking of buying the latest in solar [/QUOTE]
Hi MB, solar as in solar photovoltaic? for producing electricity you mean? I did this... would have reservations about doing it again.. on many levels...
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
MargueriteBee
I have a steam canner and I will report on how well it works this fall. We have ten fruit trees so I will be sharing alot and there are many mouths to feed on the mountain so I won't let it sit around too long.
Edit: All my city friends think I'm nuts. :wacko:
LOL!!! All my old city friends thought I was nuts too, and some people still think I'm nuts -- quitting good jobs, moving out to a farm??? Your crazy!!!. You should have seen my boss's face when I turned in my notice. Ha ha... Well if i'm crazy - so be it. :-)
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Yeah I am looking into that and will be building a solar oven this summer. I mainly mean solar power for music and a fridge, least for music. I need to do some research on the latest solar techonology.
Edit: And, I need power for fans, it gets hot here.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
MargueriteBee
Yeah I am looking into that and will be building a solar oven this summer. I mainly mean solar power for music and a fridge, least for music. I need to do some research on the latest solar techonology.
You cant run a fridge off solar power, not really (unless you install a huge system). They take far too much juice. You can build a good fridge from canvas.. if u put charcoal in a dish and drip water onto it there is some chemical reaction that keeps things cold. If this is done inside a canvas box suspended from the roof, you have an effective fridge! I used one of these in portugal with good effect, not as good as a regular fridge but good enough. I have even kept things in containers inside water pools, another good option. While they are avaiable, gas bottles are good for fridges
The small solar devices are great, so a portable solar charger for a phone, or cd player etc are great. I really couldnt recommend going much bigger than this in scale, unless money really is no object and you realise it could all be useless if the sun doesnt shine.
solar ovens are great. If you drive a car or a tractor you can cook in the engine bay in tin foil while you work, and after you work you have a hot meal :)
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Thanks for the information Vidya. I don't want to go all out on solar power so your suggestion on making a fridge from canvas looks good. I've also thought about digging out a root cellar but this place is all rock so I'm not sure I can.
Here's a link to my little blog if anyone is interested.
http://margueritebee.blogspot.com/
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Thanks for sharing, all this good stuff :)
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
MargueriteBee
Thanks for the information Vidya. I don't want to go all out on solar power so your suggestion on making a fridge from canvas looks good. I've also thought about digging out a root cellar but this place is all rock so I'm not sure I can.
http://margueritebee.blogspot.com/
Dynamite is good for making root cellars in rocks :boom: and depending on the rock they can be really good. Having two cellars is always a good idea, one dry and one damp. Sometimes you can get lucky and have natural seepage in a natural rock cave...
I was going to post a link to the canvas fridge but I cant fnd one! I only googled but even so ....?
The design is really simple. Make a wooden frame, say 1m tall 30-40cm square (or whatever you want, even several smaller ones?) . Put in as many shelves as you want. Fix canvas to 3 sides, top and bottom. The fouth side is the door, simply attach at the top and weight the bottom, so the whole flap is moveable for the door. Tie cord or wire to the top of the 4 uprights and suspend from the ceiling so its vermin proof. Then on the top shelf of the fridge (deosnt have to be very deep) put a dish of charcoal. Then either run a wicking material through the roof, or a simple tube, to an external water container (sited above the fridge).. then gravity drip the water onto the charcoal.. and you have a fridge!
I guess you can even wet the canvas, the latent heat of evaporation will further cool the unit.
How easy is that? And it really works
:cheer2: :juggle:
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Hi Guys, thanks for all of the great info provided. Starting this thread was the result of months of imagining what I would do to protect and sustain my family in a variety of threat situations, i.e., nuclear fall out, radiation from the sun, solar flares, earthquakes, tidal waves, breakdown of society, etc.
I live on the outskirts of the city on a medium sized plot land on the small Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The elevation is 700 ft, but there are mountain peaks of 2000 ft within 30 minutes driving distance, if we have to go to higher ground. We have about 25 mature fruit trees which include olive trees for oil. We raise about 20 chickens which provide eggs for us and enough left over to sell to the neighbors. We also have a water well which we pump for garden irrigation.
My concerns are:
How are we going to pump the water out of the well without electricity? I need an inexpensive way to do this w/out electricity.
What if we are forced to go to higher ground? How do we get and store water then?
How would one heat their home w/out a fire place? If you were to build one, you would need to learn the mechanics of ventilation and exhaust pipes.
What kind of protection does one need from radiation either from the sun or man made sources.
Most everyone knows how to grow a garden, but do we all know how to harvest and grind grains for flour? Do we know how to extract oil from olives or other seeds?
Our emergency supplies of food will eventually be depleted. Do we know how to preserve, can, smoke or dry foods?
Do we all know the basics of first-aid ?
A lot of questions which I hope that we can explore the answers to in this thread .
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Just Goggle: hand pump wells and you will get several listed. I have to get two myself so I am checking these out. My family doesn't know, and doesn't want to know, anything about SHTF so I have taken it on myself to get them ready and I do have most everything already.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Solar power for laptops and batteries works general speaking quite well. For refrigeration the best method is to big terracota pots that fit inside the other leaving a small gap to fill with sand in between. One just have to put water to moisten the sand and a wet tea towel on top. Apparently it works very well is Africa.
I have a solar cooker (just carboard) and it works very well here in England in the summer months.
I would love to live in the country but family does not want to know anything about it
Love
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
It is hard, stardustaquarion, when family are sleeping, just do the best you can. I started growing food on the second storey balcony of my apartment last year.
I'm off now to go get some chicken wire for the garden.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
I reckon you should have this lot as a bare minimum
Kelly kettle
Lifesaver water bottle
Good knife
Food for free book by collins
Pack of cheap lighters or a flint stick thing
That should help you survive for a while :pizza:
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
i got enough equipment in 2008 to be deployed in iraq lol.... still have it all , not got food yet. just need a bergen 120litre back pack incase i get homeless.
i have the food for free book and a lifesaver bottle. also got 10 water straws 40litre each. storm matches, snap glow sticks , knives , machettes.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
If things get rough, we might not always have clean drinking water.
I found these great videos describing on the fly water filtration and purification techniques.
From wildernessoutfitters . This guy is very thorough and informative.
He also has a whole series of wilderness and survival videos on you tube.
Water Purification Techniques
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ELBKBY-XY6w
Improvised Water Filter Part 1
https://youtube.com/watch?v=q99AN79ZNjs
Improvised Water Filter Part 2
https://youtube.com/watch?v=fmr9nWy0i0g
Blessings,
Yiola
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
Vidya Moksha
Hi MB, solar as in solar photovoltaic? for producing electricity you mean? I did this... would have reservations about doing it again.. on many levels...
Hi Vidya, just out of curiosity why would you be hesitant to use photovoltaics ?
I've been debating about them myself for years. I've don't think that I would consider them for two reasons:
1. They are very expensive
2. I just don't like the idea of have an electrical power plant and storage facility on my roof. Have there been any studies done regarding the Electromagnatic radiation coming from these things ?
I would consider looking into wind turbines though .
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
yiolas
Very informative vids, thanks!
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
MargueriteBee
Just Goggle: hand pump wells and you will get several listed. I have to get two myself so I am checking these out. My family doesn't know, and doesn't want to know, anything about SHTF so I have taken it on myself to get them ready and I do have most everything already.
Hi MargueriteBee, Thanks for the suggestion. I guess I was looking in the wrong places. I googled hand pump wells and I found a plethora of hand pumps. The great thing is that they can be installed right next to your existing electrical pump and they do not cost as much as I thought they would. What a great find ! Please keep us informed if you decide on any particular one.
Thanks again, Blessings,
Yiola
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
Swanny
What no toys??!! :p
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
I got a 'Family 10 Game Center' - the classic tin-, added some card decks( reg. and a couple of specialty games) , a few extra dice, and a revolving card holder...
and you are good to go...
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Make sure you have plenty of matches. I got the big kitchen ones and they work great for starting a fire. I put 10 boxes to a bag and vacum sealed them. I got two boxes for a dollar at the dollar store.
I would like to invite you all to a Group I started called, Life in The Country. You can find it in the groups list.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
yiolas
Hi Vidya, just out of curiosity why would you be hesitant to use photovoltaics ?
I've been debating about them myself for years. I've don't think that I would consider them for two reasons:
1. They are very expensive
2. I just don't like the idea of have an electrical power plant and storage facility on my roof. Have there been any studies done regarding the Electromagnatic radiation coming from these things ?
I would consider looking into wind turbines though .
Wind is a good option, as is micro hydro, both these energies will charge a battery through the night while you sleep.
Solar. its expensive and inefficient and it needs the sun to shine in order for it to work. Im sceptical about some of the predicted earth changes but if it isnt sunny for whatever reason then you have no power. Battery life is an issue. You will get 5 good years from a good set of batteries, with the next 5-10 years giving average or poor performance. Its just not worth it. Unless money is not an issue and you dont ever need to rely on them. I would guess a small panel hooked up to a 12v light system might be ok, but there are solar lanterns as well and the new led lights are pretty amazing too.
My panels were away from my house, as were my batteries, so that's no real issue. Running any electrical wiring is always an issue in terms of electro magnetc radiation effects, but this can be localised, and best kept away from sleeping areas etc.
Candles are good for light. little solar chargers are good also for small batteries and small devices, but there is a large investment for little return on a bigger system.
If I were doing it again, as of today, I would look for wind and water power but would have 2 generators to do most of the work, the small silent ones are great for bits and bobs, and a bigger one to run larger power tools etc... but then again I am also liking the idea of going back to hand tools, what's the rush? Im tired of the noise and danger and expense of power tools. ....then again, :) , a small chainsaw is really handy for all sorts of things, including building.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
Swanny
I cant argue with this list :) maybe a machete - but a good one, not one of these 10 quid rubbish jobbies from the outdoor centres. And, I would always include a sharpening stone, these water ones are great. You can build shelter, but a tarp or a bivvy bag is worth it. Add MMS and a small backpack and you are away :)
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
I hope this doesnt break forum rules on advertising, obviously I have nothing whatsoever to do with this company.. except I couldnt find a better water purifier on the market for my needs so I bought one :)
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/p.../Pocket_Lg.jpg
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
K626
What no toys??!! :p
K626,
You will have no time to play,
and you will be so exhausted after all that work you have to do yourself
by hand without any help ...(do not count on your possible partner to do it all for you!)
I am myself very well prepared, I spent my childhood in middle of Finland (and here I mention it again) and I had to learn to grow my own food, vegetables,
pick wild berries even for school, mushrooms...
My other grandmother lived off grid,
and I have very fond memories of her and my mother taking us children to a lake to wash all the laundry by hand,
putting the fire under the huge black cauldron,
rinsing the laundry in the crystal clear waters, hanging it on the line to dry.
Since that time I have loved the smell of clean crisp sheets without any hint of artifical smells.
And I used to love to watch all kind of survivor programms ! I learned a lot.
(my children say that I am so crazy and competitive one that I would definitely win all those survivor games.)
and I am good at knitting (form of meditation) and making clothes , cooking,
and chopping wood !
A few years ago when I lived in Scotland off grid, without electricity or central heating,
I began my days by making a fire to get some hot water...washed all laundry by hand.
What I learned there is that one needs in order to survive
a clean spring for water, some land to grow wood, a forest to pick up firewood,
some wild berries...a good sense of humour, a lot of stories, some wine to keep the cold away ,
and a few people to talk to,
and many many books...if you run out of firewood.
in our medicine cabinet we kept and keep only plasters,
as we all have the power to heal ourselves.
a.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
quote
n our medicine cabinet we kept and keep only plasters,
as we all have the power to heal ourselves.
IF SO WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES IF WE CAN HEAL OURESELVES?
LOL
BLUE
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
Quote:
Posted by
blue777
IF SO WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES IF WE CAN HEAL OURESELVES?
Tell me about it !
Like my son was born with heart failure (TOF) had an open heart surgery at the age of eight months. I was told that it is almost impossible for him to grow to be a grown man without another operation. He is now 14 and two weeks...and I have been on hold last thirteen years fearing the day that he will have a new operation, as I do know the risks too well,
(and I do have feelings as I am a mother after all that, although I am not a humble person...)
But - perhaps a miracle, last September the cardiologist said that he is doing so well with his heart that it is most likely that he will never need a new operation.
Wait and See.
and ... you know how the mind creates illnesses ? right ?
A little bit over a year ago, I told my children that I may get cancer soon as everywhere I look there is something about cancer...breastcancer...
So, one morning I woke up and my other breast was twice as big as the other one !(laugh)
I waited a few days, I thought that it is some kind of infection, but it hurt so much that I could not sleep...
I went to see a nurse, she gave me very strong antibiotics, ate them all, nothing happened, no help,
I went to see my GP...
He was really worried that I have that fast growing breastcancer,
meaning that I will be dead in a few months (dark humour here) and refered me to a breastspecialist in nearby hospital.
I was so ready to die, just like that. As I know that it is better outhere than here...
but my children...they were so sad.
So,w hen I finally after a week went to see the breast specialist, my breast was fine.
It kind of healed itself. And I decided to live to be 98!
Hope this helps!
a.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
IF the grid goes off-line due to a CME (google michio Kaku on that, some excellent videos on Youtube) the grid MAY go down worldwide and everything containing a metall coil of any kind will just burn out. That would be EVERYTHING, from water pumps to Electric generators, starter motors in cars, all phone and radio, all computers and as a result we are back in ca. 1820 minus the self sufficiency of that time.
Of course photovoltiac wont work either. Nothing will work that is based on electricity. So forget about flashlights :-)
it is a quite probable scenario, IMO much more probable than an extended war. It happend in 1857 last, but has been with us always (as recorded in history as northern lights in southern countries)
the primary thing you will need is CLEAN water, dirty water is almost everywhere.
this little toy makes drinkable water out of a sewage tank. one cartrige is good for 50.000 liters. consider it as insurance.
http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-pr...atadyn-pocket/
I have NO stakes in the product - of course ...
***** and just realized Vidya had beaten me to it ***** cheers Vidya !!
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
That looks cool and Swiss made means it is quality.
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Re: Living Off the Grid - Survival Techniques
The way I see it, what ever is coming our way, it is time to get organized.
I personally believe that it we are on the threshold of a universal shift in consciousness and entering a trans-dimensional reality.But we must first be able to survive the coming upheavals and prepare for the insuing disruption of goods and services.
This can be undertaken within the framework of the 6 main categories below. The extent to which one prepares depends on if they are preparing for the Short Term: A few days to a month Medium Term: 1 – 6 months Long Term: 6 months to indefinitely
We must also keep in mind that we should prepare equally for in-house survival and maintenance as well as for evacuation/on the road circumstances.
Survival Supplies, Preparations and Skills
1-Water
- Supply of Bottled Water
- Water Storage Tank(s)
- Proximity to water source
- Methods of collection, filtration and sanitation
2-Food
- Supplies of canned, dried and packaged food
- Seeds and Hand Tools for growing food
- Equipment and methods for cooking storing and preserving food
- Book w/local edible plants
- Instruction booklet for canning and preserving food
- Books on homesteading, hunting and fishing
3- Shelter
- In- house safe room or other refuge area for shelter from EMP’s, solar radiation from solar Flares, Hurricane Force Winds, Flooding, extremes in temperatures
- Fire starting equipment and techniques
- Light weight camping equipment and protection from the elements if on the road
- Tool Box with all the necessary hand tools and supplies for building and repairing
4- First Aid and Medicines
- Well stocked first-aid kit and book
- MMS and Colloidal Silver
- Book on herbal medicines and remedies
5- Communication and Transportation
- Means of transportation – mechanical or otherwise
- Means of communication – mechanical or otherwise
- Crank up, solar or battery operated radio and short-wave radio
6- Community Connection
- There is safety in numbers w/in a service to others community setting
Please feel free to add and expand to this outline with suggestions and links.
