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Thread: Fire Drills

  1. Link to Post #21
    United States Avalon Member RunningDeer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    The most recent items I invested in had to do with when the electricity goes out from the New England winter storms. My apartment uses electric heat.

    I purchased a pop-up tent for two that automatically opens and it doesn’t require stakes. My plan is to set it up in the sunny side of my place when needed. I stocked up on organic candles (clean, non-toxic burn) and will use them for added warmth inside the smaller space. I have solar lanterns for a light source.

    I also purchased several Therm-a-Rest blankets and poncho (which are light weight and holds body heat), a sleeping bag that is good for 32F and a Nemo insulated sleeping mattress that's designed to hold in body heat rather than it being absorbed into the ground. The temp range is 15F-25F (-3 - -9C).

    It was a large investment, but in the long run it gives me peace of mind. Too, I use them during the day and at bed time along with the sleeping bag as a cover. I’m able to lower the thermostat day and night to save money on the ever rising cost of the heating/electric bill.
    Last edited by RunningDeer; 25th January 2023 at 16:20.

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    England Avalon Member Spiral's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by WhiteFeather (here)
    Quote Posted by Spiral (here)
    Re the grease thing, copper grease is the best thing for lubing something you aren't likely to take apart for a long time, because the copper remains long after the grease has dried up or washed off & helps prevent the two surfaces of the threaded parts welding themselves together with corrosion.
    Interesting, thanks for sharing, i have never heard of that type of grease, Question: Would wheel bearing grease be similar?
    Not an expert but I think wheel bearing grease is just the good old fashioned all purpose stuff.

    The copper stuff has ground copper in it and is as you might expect copper in colour, usually available from shops that sell cars parts, it's most common use is a smear on the back of brake pads (disc brakes) to stop the pad becoming stuck to the piston.

    I use it for the spare wheel fixings for my van because it's under the vehicle at the back & exposed the all the nastiness the British weather & winter salt gritting can throw at it.

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  5. Link to Post #23
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by Spiral (here)
    Quote Posted by WhiteFeather (here)
    Quote Posted by Spiral (here)
    Re the grease thing, copper grease is the best thing for lubing something you aren't likely to take apart for a long time, because the copper remains long after the grease has dried up or washed off & helps prevent the two surfaces of the threaded parts welding themselves together with corrosion.
    Interesting, thanks for sharing, i have never heard of that type of grease, Question: Would wheel bearing grease be similar?
    Not an expert but I think wheel bearing grease is just the good old fashioned all purpose stuff.

    The copper stuff has ground copper in it and is as you might expect copper in colour, usually available from shops that sell cars parts, it's most common use is a smear on the back of brake pads (disc brakes) to stop the pad becoming stuck to the piston.

    I use it for the spare wheel fixings for my van because it's under the vehicle at the back & exposed the all the nastiness the British weather & winter salt gritting can throw at it.
    Thanks, im online now looking for some, appreciate the info. Wado -Wa do (or Wado) is the English phonetic spelling of 'thank you' in Cherokee
    "Although I Live On This World, I Choose Not To Live In It"
    <:~W.F.~:>

    "The answer to every question can be found in nature, if one knows how to look and listen”
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    "Everything on the Earth has a purpose, Every disease a herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence".
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by RunningDeer (here)
    The most recent items I invested in had to do with when the electricity goes out from the New England winter storms. My apartment uses electric heat.

    I purchased a pop-up tent for two that automatically opens and it doesn’t require stakes. My plan is to set it up in the sunny side of my place when needed. I stocked up on organic candles (clean, non-toxic burn) and will use them for added warmth inside the smaller space. I have solar lanterns for a light source.

    I also purchased several Therm-a-Rest blankets and poncho, a sleeping bag that is good for 32F and a Nemo insulated sleeping mattress that's designed to hold in body heat rather than it being absorbed into the ground. The temp range is 15F-25F (-3 - -9C).

    It was a large investment, but in the long run it gives me peace of mind. Too, I use them during the day and at bed time along with the sleeping bag as a cover. I’m able to lower the thermostat day and night to save money on the ever rising cost of the heating/electric bill.
    Excellent, Paula. Therm-a-Rest makes good things. I have one of their sleeping mattresses myself, and the ground insulation is total. You could use it to sleep on a frozen lake.

    A down parka, bootees and even mittens might be useful if it's an exceptionally tough winter. Remember last year in the Texas deep freeze and no power, Karen had to handle -10ºF (or colder) for well over a week, day and night, inside and outside.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Got my first backpacking therm-a-rest in the mid-70s. Always appreciated it's light-weight capabilities.

    Looked like this model, or close



    The original press used to make the first prototype mattresses and the original Therm-a-rest production mattresses from 1972.


    Company history link
    I don't believe anything, but I have many suspicions. - Robert Anton Wilson

    The present as you think of it, and in practical working terms, is that point at which you select your physical experience from all those events that could be materialized. - Seth (The Nature of Personal Reality - Session 656, Page 293)

    (avatar image: Brocken spectre, a wonderful phenomenon of nature I have experienced and a symbol for my aspirations.)

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    Excellent, Paula. Therm-a-Rest makes good things. I have one of their sleeping mattresses myself, and the ground insulation is total. You could use it to sleep on a frozen lake.

    A down parka, bootees and even mittens might be useful if it's an exceptionally tough winter. Remember last year in the Texas deep freeze and no power, Karen had to handle -10ºF (or colder) for well over a week, day and night, inside and outside.
    I added to the post up thar, that the Therm-a-Rest blankets and poncho are light weight and holds body heat. (super soft and comfy). I forgot to add that I purchased bootees.


    .............
    Speaking of mittens...another recent purchased was the Electric Reusable Hand Warmer (they come as a pair) The only thing is you need electricity to charge them. There are other types that require lighter fluid instead of electricity.

    What's The Best Hand Warmer?

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Just a few thoughts and two questions

    Bill I always imagined you riding on a donky with a llamawool made poncho to the sunset.


    What's "fairy dust" ?

    When the incident happened, after you'd been pissed off for some minutes or so, so to speak (understandable).

    Did you take notice of anything in your surroundings?

    It's often you don't pay attention when you are supposed to pay attention.
    Nothing happens by accident, even if it's an accident.
    Last edited by Rawhide68; 31st December 2021 at 18:48.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    sodium chlorite solution and citric acid.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by Rawhide68 (here)
    What's "fairy dust" ?
    A metaphor for a little bit of focused magical intention. (Often works well, but that needs practice too!)

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    Quote Posted by Rawhide68 (here)
    What's "fairy dust" ?
    A metaphor for a little bit of focused magical intention. (Often works well, but that needs practice too!)

    I had thought it was a metaphor for giving it a good whack with a big hammer.


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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by pyrangello (here)
    Heres a list that may be very helpful, just cross off the stuff you don't need and go from there.

    I thought I was well prepared for economic collapse or natural disasterr until I read
    this list. Be preparedn because SUGGESS FAVORS THE PREPARED MIND!


    This list is from a Sarajevo War Survivor: Experiencing honible things that can happen in a war - death of parents
    and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezingcold, fear, sniper attacks. Prior to its collapse into civil war
    life in Saraievo was similar to life in a US rural state like Tennessee or Wyoming.
    100 Items to Disappear First
    1. Generators: Good solar ones are best. Gas ones have supplylstorage, risk, noisy, target of thieves, maintenance.
    2. Water Filters/Purifiers
    3. Portable Toilets/showers
    4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
    5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
    6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
    7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
    8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
    9. Honey/Symps/white, brown sugar
    10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
    1 1. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
    12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
    13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food
    grade if for drinking.
    14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
    15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
    16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Def,rnite shortages will occur.
    17. Survival Guide Book.
    18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item,longer-term lighting is difficult.)
    1 9. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
    20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
    21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
    22. Vitamins
    23.Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
    24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
    25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
    26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
    27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
    28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
    29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
    30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
    31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
    32. Garden Seeds Q.{on-Hybrid) (A MUST)
    33. Clothes pins/linelhangers (A MUST)
    34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
    35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
    36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
    37. First aid kits
    38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
    39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
    40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
    41. Flour, yeast & salt
    42.Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
    43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
    44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
    45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
    46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
    47.loumals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (ot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
    48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
    49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
    50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
    5 1. Fishing supplies/tools
    52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
    53. Duct Tape
    54. Tarps/stakes/twine I nailshopelspikes
    55. Candles
    56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
    57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
    58. Garden tools & supplies
    59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
    60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
    61. Bleach (plain. NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
    62. Cawing supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
    63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
    64. Bicyc les.. . Tires/tube s/pumps/chains, etc
    65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
    66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
    67.Board Games, Cards, Dice
    68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
    69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
    70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
    Tl.Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
    72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
    73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
    T4.Handpumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
    75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravylsoup base
    76. Reading glasses
    7 7 . Chocolatel Cocaa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
    78. " Survival-in-a-Can"
    79. Woolen clothing, scarve s/ear-muffs/mittens
    80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
    81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
    82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
    83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
    84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
    85. Lumber (all types)
    86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
    87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
    88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
    89. Lantern Hangers
    90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
    91. Teas
    92. Coffee
    93. Cigarettes
    94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
    95. Paraffin wax
    96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
    97. Chewing gum/candies
    98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
    99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
    100. Goats/chickens
    10 additional survival strategies.
    1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate
    near renewable food sources.
    2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
    3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war
    quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is gteater than gold's.
    4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to
    do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
    5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without
    heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of
    the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs
    enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in
    bulk.
    6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more
    valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival
    guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anlrway - trust me, you'll
    have a lot of time on your hands.
    7.The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many
    people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of
    toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to
    lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
    8. Slow buming candles and matches, matches, matches.
    9. Have a little bit of cash hidden in your house in small denominations.
    10. Have as much silver and gold for barter hidden in your house as you can stand holding because its99yo certain
    that is the ONLY money people will trade you goods for no matter what.
    Holly Deyo's book Dare to Prepare is an encyclopedia of musts for survival. She's married to Stan Deyo who has been on Coast to Coast AM many times. I recall him saying he can see the entrance to NORAD from his house.

    Website
    Thread
    Standeyo.com
    Last edited by Inversion; 31st December 2021 at 19:31.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    I had a blowout on a busy road at night. I wasn’t able to navigate the pothole. I manage to pull into a yard to change the tire. Everything was going okay until the last two lug nuts. They wouldn’t budge.

    It wasn’t long after another car pulled in with two blowouts. While he waited for his buddy, he lent me a hand with the remaining nuts. It took two of us to turn the lug wrench.

    The following day, my mechanic repaired the tire and I explained how it took two of us to change it. He said it’s a good idea for people to loosen and tighten the lug nuts every once in a while. He also said that the professionals use an electric torque wrench which makes it harder to loosen for the unfortunate, stranded driver.
    How to Use a Torque Wrench to Tighten Lug Nuts (1 min)
    Last edited by RunningDeer; 31st December 2021 at 21:51.

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    UK Avalon Founder Bill Ryan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by RunningDeer (here)
    I had a blowout on a busy road at night. I wasn’t able to navigate the pothole. I manage to pull into a yard to change the tire. Everything was going okay until the last two lug nuts. They wouldn’t budge.

    It wasn’t long after another car pulled in with two blowouts. While he waited for his buddy, he lent me a hand with the remaining nuts. It took two of us to turn the lug wrench.
    Yes, I anticipated that problem too, with a tire iron — one of these:



    ... AND a three foot long hollow steel tube that I'd bought for just $2, specially to extend it.



    The thing that defeated me for over an hour was the seized padlock.
    (Archimedes never mentioned that)
    Last edited by Bill Ryan; 31st December 2021 at 22:09.

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    England Avalon Member Spiral's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    Quote Posted by RunningDeer (here)
    I had a blowout on a busy road at night. I wasn’t able to navigate the pothole. I manage to pull into a yard to change the tire. Everything was going okay until the last two lug nuts. They wouldn’t budge.

    It wasn’t long after another car pulled in with two blowouts. While he waited for his buddy, he lent me a hand with the remaining nuts. It took two of us to turn the lug wrench.
    Yes, I anticipated that problem too, with a tire iron — one of these:



    ... AND a three foot long hollow steel tube that I'd bought for just $2, specially to extend it.



    The thing that defeated me for over an hour was the seized padlock. (Archimedes never mentioned that)
    I use an extendable 1/2 inch socket bar, and top tip with wheel nuts, stand on it, don't do your back in using your arms !

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    United States Avalon Member thepainterdoug's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    great and timely post bill
    i have been going over in my mind some fire drills. since most people take for granted what they have, they cannot forsee not having those things. no ones fault, it just is.

    i stored away rice, but without electricity, cannot cook it. i bought silver , but if things went crazy tomorrow, would not know what to do with it.
    of course, i have many more examples.
    I dont think i can prep for much anything until it comes and bites me in the ass, then it will be reality and the education will begin.
    nothing is easy., all adjustments will be painful on many levels we cannot forsee.

    Im probably only a couple weeks ahead of someone who has done nothing

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by Pam (here)
    This is actually a very timely thread. I have had several power outages and a huge amount of snow and freezing weather that is very unusual for where I live. This was the first year year that I actually bought a cord of wood made multiple trips loading it in my car and stacking and covering the wood so it would be available. So not sitting around cold and no hunting for the small amount of wood that I previously had and the dogs and I were nice and warm.

    This year I bought a coleman double burner that runs on propane and I have purchased multiple smaller propane containers. Maybe I should have bought one that uses regular gasoline. Bought a kind of pricey high tech flashlight that produces so much light that it is just amazing. I was pretty pleased with how well I handled it, but I have definitely noted areas where I can improve and organize a little bit better.

    After this I have decided to splurge and get a solar generator. It can also be charged with AC and from a vehicle or with the solar panels. Easy to transport too. Apparently they are quite popular with the nomadic crowd that live in vans,RVs and such, so they are versatile. I considered the gasoline generator but they all seem to be so heavy that as a female living alone they seem to be out of my league to be really useful and for me to move around and transport. The problem with the solar generator is that it is pricey, but the good thing is they weigh from about 23 - 40 pounds which I can deal with easily. If anyone has any advice along these lines I would welcome feedback.

    It really doesn't take that long to check out things and make sure they are in working order and in my case understand how to use them. Having to figure this kind of stuff out during a emergency just adds unwanted stress.
    Dear Pam, base on the info you gave I will advise you to stick with the almost maintenance free solar generator. It is much more reliable than the petrol generator that are sometimes a pain to start especially on very cold weather. You may be able to recover your investment if you use it right. The thing that degrades batteries is not the charge and discharge cycle but rather the expansion and contraction of plates when charge and discharge. That is why solar power systems are designed to discharge only up to 50% of the total battery charge. I have once asked this question here "cost of solar power in terms of cost of replacing/ maintaining the batteries". And Ron M. came up with the computation that its roughly the same as the grid electric cost. So lets forget the " solar power is free" lies. You know big businesses has a way of cleverly arranging things so our gadgets breaks at the set time, (Read " the light bulb conspiracy") hence the 50% discharge cycle of batteries. But I suspect that if batteries are use on a 25% discharge cycle it can last for a lifetime. Of course I dont have the time to experiment and prove it but I have done a completely dead cycles on couple of batteries and it did broke in no time, due to the huge rate of contraction and expansion of plates that breaks the plates in no time.

    With regards to car tires I have some good news for everyone. There is this new product called "tire sealant" its a viscus and sticky liquid with small solid bits. Its pre loaded inside the wheel. When the tire is punctured air and liquid sealant will leak into the hole until a suitable size solid bit is stuck into the hole. And viola the tire is repaired. If the wheel loses sufficient air pressure all you need to do is inflate it.

    But my most important contribution to this discussion will be along the lines of Rawhide " when your car breaks somewhere, enjoy the scenery". That being said I am the person who Doug describe as " someone who has done nothing."
    Last edited by Bubu; 1st January 2022 at 02:26.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Half of my life ago, I was engaged in off-road adventures, in one occasion my friend's jeep CJ got a flat tire, and we were already using the spare, usually he carried 2 spares for long trips, but the CJ is damn small and there were 4 of us, then no space for an extra spare, the nearest village was at least 30km away, our solution was to fill up the radial tire with green grass, it was a crazy idea our friend suggested, but it worked and we had to drive at minimum speed specially in the curves, until find a shop to fix properly it.
    Was very fun.
    --
    A chaos to the sense, a Kosmos to the reason.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Quote Posted by palehorse (here)
    Half of my life ago, I was engaged in off-road adventures, in one occasion my friend's jeep CJ got a flat tire, and we were already using the spare, usually he carried 2 spares for long trips, but the CJ is damn small and there were 4 of us, then no space for an extra spare, the nearest village was at least 30km away, our solution was to fill up the radial tire with green grass, it was a crazy idea our friend suggested, but it worked and we had to drive at minimum speed specially in the curves, until find a shop to fix properly it.
    Was very fun.
    That's a clever way to think outside of the box, palehorse.


    Last edited by RunningDeer; 1st January 2022 at 16:42.

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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    As far as gas generators go. you must run them 15 minutes a week to keep them from " gumming up".

    If you have the owners manual, it has a section for preventive maintenance that is very helpful. If not, you can get it online. You just need the brand, and model number, and enter that in your search.on line. You can print it on line and keep in your collection of other equipment files.

    Also get extra spark plugs, and oil filters for yearly replacements. Also shut off as many appliances you can. they require many amps to re start. After starting generator, turn them back on one at a time.

    Refrigerators, and freezers have compressors. they will not start back up for 15 minutes or so. they have have a low side, and high side of pressure in them. the two of these pressures must balance balance. or equal each other, before they will start up again. so be aware of that also.
    Last edited by bobme; 1st January 2022 at 19:26.

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    UK Avalon Founder Bill Ryan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fire Drills

    Here are a couple more Fire Drill stories, this time from the mountains.

    First, a salutary tale, which many of you may have read already, maybe quite a while ago:
    For anyone not familiar, this is a story (and nearly a terrible tragedy) of how the lack of a spare flashlight bulb, that would have weighed a fraction of an ounce and at that time cost maybe 15 cents, came within inches and seconds of causing my friend to so very nearly fall to his certain death. Happily, all was well in the end — but, OMG.

    I learned a vast amount from that. Soon after, now determined to be prepared for anything at all, I enrolled in a week-long residential mountain leadership training course. That was in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland, infamous for bad weather and even highly experienced mountaineers getting lost or worse.

    We went out on a navigation training day, all very straightforward. Then, as the sun was setting, the trainer-guide, without any warning, suddenly announced: Okay, we'll stop right here and all spend the night.

    It was cruel but inspired. This was tough-love teaching. I had everything I needed, but some of the trainees had little more than their map, compass and packed lunch.

    One poor girl, small, slim and in her early 20s, was nearly in tears. A generous soul, maybe hoping for a date, gave her his own sleeping bag. We all survived fine (it was summer, and the night was short), but half of the people never got a wink of sleep and just shivered their way through till dawn. Such a very valuable lesson.

    Soon after that, I found myself happily on my own in winter at the summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain. And like the Cairngorms, it's infamous for bad weather and all kinds of accidents. The way down isn't all that obvious, and it's quite easy to get lured in the wrong direction and walk straight off a cliff.

    The sun was setting there too, but all was perfectly fine as I was very familiar with the way down and I had all my equipment. But to my astonishment, then I saw another guy, on his own as well, and he barely had a thing with him and didn't know the way down at all.

    I had little sympathy. I barely talked to him. I was like Arnie in Terminator 2:
    Come with me if you want to live.
    Racing the nightfall, I marched him relentlessly down the mountain at high speed, which took all of four hours to reach the road. At the end he could barely walk or talk, but he was all fine, safe and intact. As he thanked me, I briskly told him: This might be the luckiest meeting with a stranger you ever had.

    So yes, Fire Drills. It's all about anticipating even the unlikeliest of contingencies. And knowing you can cope with whatever happens. That in itself is a matter of imagination, but like all risk management, it's about envisaging the not-good consequences of even very unlikely events.


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