|
|
Post by SA Hunter on Jan 24, 2020 12:26:45 GMT 10
All of us have ideas of what the perfect prepper stash looks like, but we still sometimes fall short. Because of that, I've come up with 10 items that you may have overlooked, and should at least consider adding to your gear if you don't already have it!
You've got your food and water supply figured out. You've got a whole bunch of ammunition stored. But what bout these inexpensive items?
Sewing Kit - if you have one of these unused and just lying around, toss it in with your bug out bag or car kit or put with your other survival gear. Stock up on some strong, all-purpose thread and a few packs of needles too. It'll be easier to mend your clothes than buy new if you are in a survival scenario. You can also sew all kinds of things if you need to.
Lip Balm - One of the most uncomfortable feelings is that of chapped lips. Stock up on a lip balm that you like. These take a while to go bad. You could also use Vaseline, but it won't quite be the same and you may want to save that for firestarter.
Cable Ties - Neater than duct tape, faster than glue; cable ties are an excellent way of quickly securing things, and good ones are incredibly strong. Get a variety of sizes, but big ones are most useful – they can be cut down if necessary.
Percolator or French Press -There is nothing wrong with enjoying coffee, even during a SHTF situation. If you don't already have a percolator or a French press, grab one now and keep it with your gear so you can caffeinate!
Mylar Blankets - These are the things you find in survival kits or being handed out at the end of a marathon. They’re great for preserving body heat in an emergency – but they have lots of other uses too. They’re strong, waterproof and reflect both heat and light. You can get 50 of these for less than $30! That's a pretty good deal!
Aluminum Foil - This is yet another multi-purpose material and could be essential for preppers. It’s reflective, can be used to tweak antennas and has a whole load of cooking uses. Traveling light? Aluminum foil can make a pot for boiling water, and you can wrap food in it to cook in the embers of your fire.
Survival Books - These may prove to be invaluable! There's always helpful information in books and it'll be nice to have a reference if you need one. These three are my suggestions to start your "prepper library" if you haven't yet. The Prepper's Blueprint: The Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Through Any Disaster, Get Prepared Now!: Why A Great Crisis Is Coming & How You Can Survive It, and The Survival Medicine Handbook: THE essential guide for when medical help is NOT on the way.
Playing Cards - Having some kind of entertainment will be helpful too. If you have kids, you may also want to store a few kids' games or Uno cards. You could be pretty bored without these!
Fire Blanket - An extinguisher is a one-shot solution, and in an SHTF scenario you’ll struggle to replace or recharge it once it’s been used. A fire blanket will reliably smother small fires, and can also be used on stove fires. Keep the extinguisher for when it’s really needed.
Soap - a dishwasher detergent and some bars of soap should be in your gear. You'll want to get clean, be able to clean any dishes or pots and be able to wash your clothing. Youll need soap for this, and these two should cover most of your needs.
If you don't need any of these items, hopefully this article, at the bare minimum, will get you brainstorming other items you may have overlooked!
(From an email I got,can't add a link to the article,so here in full)
|
|
|
|
Post by Ausprep on Jan 24, 2020 12:32:47 GMT 10
Lip Balm - One of the most uncomfortable feelings is that of chapped lips. Stock up on a lip balm that you like. These take a while to go bad. You could also use Vaseline, but it won't quite be the same and you may want to save that for firestarter.
We keep Paw Paw cream here in decent quantities. This can also be used in quite a few different ways and also for sore/dry/cracked lips. Aldi sell the small tubes at the checkouts which would be handy for cars, handbags, BOB's etc. |
|
spatial
Senior Member
Posts: 2,396 
Likes: 1,560
|
Post by spatial on Jan 24, 2020 20:30:09 GMT 10
Old fashioned barometer for weather forecasting.
|
|
|
|
Post by herbgarden on Jan 27, 2020 12:41:43 GMT 10
Nail cutters, I have been suprised how many times I could get away with using nail cutters instead of a knife as it's all I have at the time or wasn't a situtation when you could just whip out a knife no matter how smaill and innocuous. Also, keeps hands and feet in good shape. I tend to cut any hangnail or cracked fingernail so it won't tear and create a worse injury and bleed in the workpalce and open to infection. Prevention and I tend to keep fussing with any irregularity until I tear them or chew on broken nails and hangnails and I wan't to keep fingers out of my mouth. I've used nail cutters to snip cable ties and snip any number of small jobs also attached the nail file to slice open packaging or pry smaller things. Not an ideal tool other than intended purpose in survival situation but prevention and maintenance of healthy hands and feet is a bonus in my mind. Cheap and good small barter item that will last a long time.
Underpants, socks, bras (something like an 'ahh-bra' that's more comfortable and more universal for growth or multiple sizing options, also cheaper and smaller to store. If you are going to be running some kid of wrapping/binding or sports bra), hankerchiefs though most would have bandanas I would still keep a decent hankie (save the tissues), feminine hygeine products (reusable for long term or disposable pads/tampons with some first aid applications).
Cotton makeup pads and cotton buds. Cotton buds are handy for many jobs, not just cleaning ears. One use application but when you are applying an ointment to someone with a an infectious condition you don't want to be using your fingers or reusing an applcator back into the jar or bottle and cross infecting, you also use a smaller or targeted amount of medication. Also used for small cleaning jobs where fingers just won't fit or to keep a product from touching your skin. The cotton makeup pads I have used for long term wound dressing with some 3M paper medical tape. Both were cheaper than proper dressings and for something that was changed twice a day for 2-3 months that savings added up. The wound was too large for regular bandaids and the larger bandaid adhesive over long term caused a skin reaction and worsened the wound making it too large for regular dressings and well as itchy so preventing scratching to area and spreading infection. So, good for smaller first aid applications requiring regular changes and to prevent spreading of smaller infections or someone with an allergy to adhesives I give that a thumbs up (just be sure to use aeseptic techniques both with application and disposal). The cheaper cottons pads did stick to the wound with fibres pulling and sticking so think about wound type before using it and don't leave it on long term without checking and changing. Slightly higher priced ones retained shape better and kept in tact. They can also provide some padding (blisters, corns, etc) or just keep a topical treatment in place. They can also be roughed up and used with oil or vaseline for fire starter if you want multiple use. Used to wrap smaller items and prevent breakage/rattling/cutting and abrasion ie medications, smaller tools, glass vials, ye olde altoids tin. Heck could probably use as a small somewhat sterile indoor seed starter with moisture retention.
Something targeted to keep you and or your family entertained or sane. Special needs kids that might have a fixation or something that calms them. Most of us have plenty of stuff around the house but something small enough for a BOB/INCH bag to keep the sanity that means something to you and your family. Do you/they fidget or smoke or chew? Play cards or dice, like to read, write, draw, paint or sew? Play chess or listen to music? Do crosswords, carve wood...you get the idea. If you are in a situation where everything is in upheaval and you need to keep occupied and a measure of comfort, the familiar and sanity, what would it be? Something small enough to carry and be worth the weight and the space. Some examples for me would be chewing gum or a specific scent, tea and/or coffee. For family it would be drawing (pencil or pen) or polyhedral dice, carving and writing or crossword/sudoku or a particular card game. For the pets it's a specific toy and/or bags of treats.
|
|
|
|
Post by herbgarden on Jan 27, 2020 13:16:58 GMT 10
Cable Ties - Neater than duct tape, faster than glue; cable ties are an excellent way of quickly securing things, and good ones are incredibly strong. Get a variety of sizes, but big ones are most useful – they can be cut down if necessary. Percolator or French Press -There is nothing wrong with enjoying coffee, even during a SHTF situation. If you don't already have a percolator or a French press, grab one now and keep it with your gear so you can caffeinate! Aluminum Foil - This is yet another multi-purpose material and could be essential for preppers. It’s reflective, can be used to tweak antennas and has a whole load of cooking uses. Traveling light? Aluminum foil can make a pot for boiling water, and you can wrap food in it to cook in the embers of your fire. Fire Blanket - An extinguisher is a one-shot solution, and in an SHTF scenario you’ll struggle to replace or recharge it once it’s been used. A fire blanket will reliably smother small fires, and can also be used on stove fires. Keep the extinguisher for when it’s really needed. Soap - a dishwasher detergent and some bars of soap should be in your gear. You'll want to get clean, be able to clean any dishes or pots and be able to wash your clothing. Youll need soap for this, and these two should cover most of your needs. Thanks @sa HUNTER
The french press would also be good for tea whether it be herbal or some wildcrafted plant as well as decoctions for topical applications or for drinking. Caffeine and hot beverages in geneal are rather intrinsic in my life so this is a definite for me, otherwise keep me away from the general population and the other half might require a divorce. I have broken the glass carafe in the past though so having a spare with compatible parts is good or use a fine mesh tea ball.
Aluminium foil - I have carried a 2' long piece folded into a square in my handbag (in a small emergency kit) for a few years and cannot say how may times it's come in useful.
Fire blanket - Thanks that's something I never considered, I do have one in kitchen as well as a small extinguisher but will consider other places.
Soap - Growing up we were pretty poor at various stages and used bar soap to wash dishes too. It wasn't great, you don't really get suds but it did the trick with removing grease. We also kept a jar in the bathroom that all the little soap rememnants were thrown into and some water added and made a soft soap (before liquid soaps were a thing). Or we laminated the small bit to the new bar of soap with some water to join the two and use it up. I don't really keep soap bars anymore except a few small hotel size travel ones and need to look into that. Grandparents used to use Lux flakes (not even sure these are a thing anymore) as well as Sards wonder soap, both for clothes washing, and a pumice soap in the laundry for greasy hands. There used to be a tool that you would put a bar of soap into and swish in the water to make it soapy, looked similar to something you would use over the fire to toast something but it was more of a wire cage with a handle that you could hang up to dry the soap. Haven't seen one in years and only because my grandparent had one or my father pointed out when we looked in antique stores/markets/garage sales.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2020 8:45:38 GMT 10
Just made a batch of Castile soap yesterday with Lemon Myrtle oil. Castile soap is just olive oil, water and caustic soda in the right measure. These soap bars also make better shampoo than any commercial product I have used recently.
Lemon Myrtle oil is a powerful antibacterial - we also use it on our floors instead of disinfectant because it smells a lot nicer. I get legit 100% oil online as most regular store bought "essential oil" is diluted with alcohol. This can mess up recipes.
Also made another plain batch without the lemon myrtle since my friend has an autistic kid who can't handle things with fragrance.
|
|
norseman
VIP Member
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 1,888
|
Post by norseman on Mar 15, 2020 9:23:11 GMT 10
The sheeple are waking up to the value of soap and it's vanishing from the shelves like Toilet Paper is! Stock up folks, PSHTF it's more valuable than Gold literally!
|
|
tomatoes
Senior Member
Posts: 1,065 
Likes: 1,089
|
Post by tomatoes on Mar 15, 2020 14:23:57 GMT 10
Cable Ties - Neater than duct tape, faster than glue; cable ties are an excellent way of quickly securing things, and good ones are incredibly strong. Get a variety of sizes, but big ones are most useful – they can be cut down if necessary. Percolator or French Press -There is nothing wrong with enjoying coffee, even during a SHTF situation. If you don't already have a percolator or a French press, grab one now and keep it with your gear so you can caffeinate! Aluminum Foil - This is yet another multi-purpose material and could be essential for preppers. It’s reflective, can be used to tweak antennas and has a whole load of cooking uses. Traveling light? Aluminum foil can make a pot for boiling water, and you can wrap food in it to cook in the embers of your fire. Fire Blanket - An extinguisher is a one-shot solution, and in an SHTF scenario you’ll struggle to replace or recharge it once it’s been used. A fire blanket will reliably smother small fires, and can also be used on stove fires. Keep the extinguisher for when it’s really needed. Soap - a dishwasher detergent and some bars of soap should be in your gear. You'll want to get clean, be able to clean any dishes or pots and be able to wash your clothing. Youll need soap for this, and these two should cover most of your needs. Thanks @sa HUNTER
The french press would also be good for tea whether it be herbal or some wildcrafted plant as well as decoctions for topical applications or for drinking. Caffeine and hot beverages in geneal are rather intrinsic in my life so this is a definite for me, otherwise keep me away from the general population and the other half might require a divorce. I have broken the glass carafe in the past though so having a spare with compatible parts is good or use a fine mesh tea ball.
Aluminium foil - I have carried a 2' long piece folded into a square in my handbag (in a small emergency kit) for a few years and cannot say how may times it's come in useful.
Fire blanket - Thanks that's something I never considered, I do have one in kitchen as well as a small extinguisher but will consider other places.
Soap - Growing up we were pretty poor at ... There used to be a tool that you would put a bar of soap into and swish in the water to make it soapy, looked similar to something you would use over the fire to toast something but it was more of a wire cage with a handle that you could hang up to dry the soap. Haven't seen one in years and only because my grandparent had one or my father pointed out when we looked in antique stores/markets/garage sales.
I have one if those soap things for doing the dishes. If you’re going to use a bar of soap for doing dishes, it’s a great way to do it. I tried keeping soap in a dish beside the sink then rubbing a brush on it for washing and really didn’t like that method. Detergent does work better than any of the soaps I’ve tried but good to have the option. There are a few online stores now that stock the wire things. soapshakers.comwww.exchangestores.com.au/products/soap-saver-suds-maker-stainless-steel?_pos=1&_sid=04b5b28ab&_ss=r |
|
|
|
Post by SA Hunter on Mar 15, 2020 19:23:43 GMT 10
Just made a batch of Castile soap yesterday with Lemon Myrtle oil. Castile soap is just olive oil, water and caustic soda in the right measure. These soap bars also make better shampoo than any commercial product I have used recently. Lemon Myrtle oil is a powerful antibacterial - we also use it on our floors instead of disinfectant because it smells a lot nicer. I get legit 100% oil online as most regular store bought "essential oil" is diluted with alcohol. This can mess up recipes. Also made another plain batch without the lemon myrtle since my friend has an autistic kid who can't handle things with fragrance. Can you share the measurements for the soap please??? |
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Mar 15, 2020 19:44:20 GMT 10
...Detergent does work better than any of the soaps I’ve tried but good to have the option... I actually buy detergent in 20L drums from a chemical supplier at work. From memory it's about $30 or so for $20L, or to put it another way it costs 75c to refill a 500mL bottle. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2020 9:32:45 GMT 10
Just made a batch of Castile soap yesterday with Lemon Myrtle oil. Castile soap is just olive oil, water and caustic soda in the right measure. These soap bars also make better shampoo than any commercial product I have used recently. Lemon Myrtle oil is a powerful antibacterial - we also use it on our floors instead of disinfectant because it smells a lot nicer. I get legit 100% oil online as most regular store bought "essential oil" is diluted with alcohol. This can mess up recipes. Also made another plain batch without the lemon myrtle since my friend has an autistic kid who can't handle things with fragrance. Can you share the measurements for the soap please??? I follow the recipe from the following source: diycosmetics.net/olive-oil-soap-recipe-cold-process/ With the exception of using silicone molds ( www.newdirections.com.au/epages/newdirections.sf/en_AU/?ObjectID=7869984 ) rather than making big blocks then cutting them down. Notes: - Cold pressed soap like this is dead easy. - 1 litre of olive oil is not 1 kilogram. Pay attention to the units used because we normally buy oil by volume but most recipes consistently use weight. - Having a dedicated stick blender for the soap making process is advised. - Don't go overboard on adding essential oil (7-10ml in a 1kg oil batch is fine). Adding too much will interfere with the chemical reaction (saponification). Essential oil isn't in the base recipe so this is where most people go wrong. - Old olive oil or cruddy olive oil will give soap with all sorts of weird blemishes. You don't want this in good times but it is still soap, it still cleans. - I just use the same extra virgin olive oil that I use for cooking. I don't store multiple grades. - Different oils (coconut etc) require different ingredient ratios. Don't substitute, get the right recipe for the oil used. Edit: I don't use a thermometer to check when the caustic soda has fallen to 40'C since that is so close to body temp. The pyrex measuring jug being "slightly warm to touch" works for me. I also do the initial mix of the caustic solution outside because the vapours are nasty. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2020 10:46:57 GMT 10
Also, I forgot to mention: if you make real soap once and you have a Missus - this is now your life. It is just soap to us, but you have to realise that skincare is serious women's business. Even the 8 buck a bar soaps from fancy places have the good oils cut with cheap arse palm oil, they normally can't buy it unadulterated. They will talk. They will compare. They will envy. Eyes will narrow at family gatherings. You will find yourself making soap for every female relative you have. I have a sister who runs a Day Spa in Sydney who I no longer take calls from. You are warned.
|
|
|
|
Post by jo on Mar 16, 2020 12:53:12 GMT 10
Thanks for sharing rastus
|
|
|
|
Post by SA Hunter on Mar 16, 2020 20:03:17 GMT 10
Can you share the measurements for the soap please??? I follow the recipe from the following source: diycosmetics.net/olive-oil-soap-recipe-cold-process/ With the exception of using silicone molds ( www.newdirections.com.au/epages/newdirections.sf/en_AU/?ObjectID=7869984 ) rather than making big blocks then cutting them down. Notes: - Cold pressed soap like this is dead easy. - 1 litre of olive oil is not 1 kilogram. Pay attention to the units used because we normally buy oil by volume but most recipes consistently use weight. - Having a dedicated stick blender for the soap making process is advised. - Don't go overboard on adding essential oil (7-10ml in a 1kg oil batch is fine). Adding too much will interfere with the chemical reaction (saponification). Essential oil isn't in the base recipe so this is where most people go wrong. - Old olive oil or cruddy olive oil will give soap with all sorts of weird blemishes. You don't want this in good times but it is still soap, it still cleans. - I just use the same extra virgin olive oil that I use for cooking. I don't store multiple grades. - Different oils (coconut etc) require different ingredient ratios. Don't substitute, get the right recipe for the oil used. Edit: I don't use a thermometer to check when the caustic soda has fallen to 40'C since that is so close to body temp. The pyrex measuring jug being "slightly warm to touch" works for me. I also do the initial mix of the caustic solution outside because the vapours are nasty. Thanks. |
|
