scoutmum
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North Queensland
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Post by scoutmum on Jul 11, 2015 17:35:54 GMT 10
So the husband and I were talking today while on a drive, and for whatever reason the topic turned to if there was a complete societal collapse, would you prefer it to happen in the summer or the winter?
I said winter, because here in NQ if you were unprepared the heat of summer could kill you off before you could accomplish anything.
My husband, on the other hand, reckoned that summer, at least if there was a good wet, could be advantageous because the rain might shield you a bit, and protect you from unwanted visitors.
What do you think? Which would you prefer?
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Jul 11, 2015 17:49:03 GMT 10
Good question scoutmum!
Down here in Vic, I think both have their good and bad points, our summers (or at least where I am) don't get especially hot, would just need to limit movement on some days, but in general its pretty mild and water is available all year round. Winters can get a bit nasty, but nothing that can't be handled with shelter and decent clothing. I would probably prefer summer just so it gives a bit more time to prepare for winter
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Post by Peter on Jul 11, 2015 18:20:46 GMT 10
Over here I'd want Winter: our winters are mild, it would give a chance for rain to provide water, spring would be on its way for growing food. The summers here can get quite hot and dry, so if that was to happen I'd expect the zombies to be out at night. Exhaustion would quickly catch up with us.
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Post by graynomad on Jul 11, 2015 18:23:53 GMT 10
Here in CQ not far from the coast I don't think it would matter, mid 30s in summer, mid 20s in winter and neither are severe enough to make a lot of difference. Maybe if bugging out and walking for long distances (not my plan A).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 18:27:02 GMT 10
Summer would be better than winter, In some parts of Australia, hypothermia is a big risk if you are not prepared for it.
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tyburn
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Post by tyburn on Jul 11, 2015 21:21:56 GMT 10
Definitely winter for me.
The area I live in in China is just far enough south for the occasional snowy day (used to be once a year, but haven't had any for the past two winters), and far enough north that its humid all year round, plus temps up to 40 in summer. Even if it's only mid-thirties, it feels much hotter and unbearable due to the 97% humidity.
Apart from the temps, many people are better prepared in winter, as its tradition to have home-cured meat, sausages, fish etc at Chinese New Year (in late January / early February). This means there would be much more dried and long-term food about, not to mention that food lasts much longer in the lower temps.
Overall, I guess its much easier to prepare for and outlast winter than summer.
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Post by Peter on Jul 11, 2015 21:56:14 GMT 10
I remember speaking with a friend in Kamloops, Canada many years ago - our temperature that summers' day was mid-40's, their winters' day was mid-thirties BELOW zero. Stuff that for a joke in every way imaginable. Apparently a person can die from the cold before they get more than a few metres from their front door. Now that's a place where grid-down would be nigh-on impossible.
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Post by graynomad on Jul 11, 2015 22:53:11 GMT 10
Yeah most of the northern hemisphere would really suck in the winter.
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Morgo
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Post by Morgo on Jul 12, 2015 0:07:18 GMT 10
Well, last summer we had some pretty hot days and this winter we are having some pretty cold days (well nights mostly)
Big downsides either way.
If I'm not forced out of the house with limited supplies due to some unforeseeable event then I would prefer winter. Being at home with access to everything, even with out power, negates most of the downsides of winter and I can be more active during the days to get things done with out exhaustion and burning through water supplies.
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Christos
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Post by Christos on Jul 12, 2015 0:12:01 GMT 10
Not to sure about that one. Being down in Melbourne i think i would prefer it to happen in winter cause i personally think i have enough supplies and cold weather gear to get a far way out out of the city before the rest of the sheeples. I would think that people would prefer to stay indoors and keep warm during this season and be less likely to venture out.
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scoutmum
Senior Member
North Queensland
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Post by scoutmum on Jul 12, 2015 7:42:37 GMT 10
I remember speaking with a friend in Kamloops, Canada many years ago - our temperature that summers' day was mid-40's, their winters' day was mid-thirties BELOW zero. Stuff that for a joke in every way imaginable. Apparently a person can die from the cold before they get more than a few metres from their front door. Now that's a place where grid-down would be nigh-on impossible. I can remember as a kid in Canada they would cancel school when it hit -40. Yay! Right? But it got pretty boring pretty fast because we weren't allowed outside to play, and couldn't even go over to a friend's house... Also, speaking of winters in Canada. I remember one particular snow storm as an adult where I was working in a shop... Finally, the shop closed due to the storm, and I called a cab to go home. Stepped out of the cab at my house, and sank into snow up to my shoulders! We also used to have 'ice storms' that would knock the power out for days if not weeks... |
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Post by Fractus on Jul 12, 2015 7:57:09 GMT 10
Not to sure about that one. Being down in Melbourne i think i would prefer it to happen in winter cause i personally think i have enough supplies and cold weather gear to get a far way out out of the city before the rest of the sheeples. I would think that people would prefer to stay indoors and keep warm during this season and be less likely to venture out. Yeah for sure the cold will keep melbournians indoors for a while. Also in winter puts you just before the growing season so a crop could be planted instantly for some of the cauli and brocci family and a big spring plant could be undertaken. I could hatch a big lot of eggs so the chicken population has a big jump while I eat into my stocks of grains etc. my chicken menagerie is at a peace time strength and would only feed my immediate family at the moment with eggs . No meat yet. May have to do a raid to a western Victoria farm that has meat chickens..........  ? |
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Post by Peter on Jul 12, 2015 11:35:35 GMT 10
Also, speaking of winters in Canada. I remember one particular snow storm as an adult where I was working in a shop... Finally, the shop closed due to the storm, and I called a cab to go home. Stepped out of the cab at my house, and sank into snow up to my shoulders! Was there ever a risk of vehicles sinking into snow? Presumably there would have been the occasional ditch next to a road, so any vehicle that left the asphalt would have been in great danger. |
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scoutmum
Senior Member
North Queensland
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Post by scoutmum on Jul 12, 2015 14:29:17 GMT 10
Also, speaking of winters in Canada. I remember one particular snow storm as an adult where I was working in a shop... Finally, the shop closed due to the storm, and I called a cab to go home. Stepped out of the cab at my house, and sank into snow up to my shoulders! Was there ever a risk of vehicles sinking into snow? Presumably there would have been the occasional ditch next to a road, so any vehicle that left the asphalt would have been in great danger. Cars get buried in the snow all the time, and yes, if you slide (from the ice and slush on the road) of the road you can get pretty stuck. It's not like sinking in water, though -- snow packs. One of the biggest dangers with cars in snowstorms is actually carbon monoxide poisoning. People get stuck in their cars for one reason or another, and they run the heater to keep warm... Not thinking about the possibility of snow blocking up their exhaust pipe. Used to hear about people dying from that every winter. |
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Post by SA Hunter on Jul 12, 2015 14:46:43 GMT 10
I would prefer winter, fishing is better, most summer veggies are coming to an end, but still plentiful, easier to get warm than to cool down, more chance to collect rainwater for the coming summer, plus wildlife would be a bit more meatier ( assuming there is rain and good feed for them ). Most fruit trees are giving their yields. Downside is that you would be more suseptible to flu & colds.
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Post by SA Hunter on Jul 12, 2015 14:59:41 GMT 10
I remember speaking with a friend in Kamloops, Canada many years ago - our temperature that summers' day was mid-40's, their winters' day was mid-thirties BELOW zero. Stuff that for a joke in every way imaginable. Apparently a person can die from the cold before they get more than a few metres from their front door. Now that's a place where grid-down would be nigh-on impossible. I can remember as a kid in Canada they would cancel school when it hit -40. Yay! Right? But it got pretty boring pretty fast because we weren't allowed outside to play, and couldn't even go over to a friend's house... Also, speaking of winters in Canada. I remember one particular snow storm as an adult where I was working in a shop... Finally, the shop closed due to the storm, and I called a cab to go home. Stepped out of the cab at my house, and sank into snow up to my shoulders! We also used to have 'ice storms' that would knock the power out for days if not weeks... What part of Canada?? I've visited Montreal about 4 times - got real good friends in Chateaguay. (I think that's how to spell it). And, never been known to turn down a Labats Blue!!! |
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scoutmum
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North Queensland
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Post by scoutmum on Jul 12, 2015 17:44:31 GMT 10
What part of Canada?? I've visited Montreal about 4 times - got real good friends in Chateaguay. (I think that's how to spell it). And, never been known to turn down a Labats Blue!!! I've been to MOntreal many times.  Have lived in New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and BC, but the all the stories I was telling above are based on my time in NB. |
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peter1942
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Post by peter1942 on Jul 12, 2015 21:09:21 GMT 10
Personally I believe that if a collapse was to occur none of us would have a say in what time of the year it was to occur or what, if any collapse were to occur, would cause it.
I often wonder when reading about what some people are stocking their bug out bags or their bolt holes with as many of them do not seem to take the extremes of the weather into consideration. It appears to me that most people are preparing for a SHTF situation to take place when the sun is shining and the roads are clear. Having a slight insight on how Mother Nature works I would say that many of us may be in for a surprise if she does initiate a collapse of any great magnitude.
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Post by Peter on Jul 12, 2015 22:01:08 GMT 10
I tend to modify my BOB according to the season - there's more warm clothing in the winter, less in the warmer months. I also tend to have more stuff for lighting fires in the winter as it's harder to light a fire here in the wet. I assumed that was normal...
But you're right, change has a habit of striking when we least expect it.
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Post by SA Hunter on Jul 13, 2015 11:19:38 GMT 10
That's why I deliberately planned my recent bush camping trip for winter, to test my gear in cold weather. It was easy, but that's probably due to the quality of my gear. It was fairly cold at night ( it might actually have snow there atm), but my wiggy's ecw bag, bivvy and thin foam mat kept me warm overnight despite sleeping on the ground. There's no replacement for experience. Can't beat the ol' bivvy bag - a good investment for any prepper. Lightweight, folds up quite small, keeps in the warmth, but also has mozzie mesh for summer sleepouts! Most ADF personnel I know have forked out the $$$ to buy their own to use out bush. |
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