The Little Things List - a list of survival/preparedness things
to do that are easy and inexpensive.
Hi all:
For some time I have thought that a list of survival / preparedness things to do that are very easy to do, take little time and are very cheap, would be useful in a number of ways. First it will help people new to prepping be able to do things quickly and have a sense of motivation. Second it will help people who are financially strapped to feel there are things they can do despite their financial limitations. Third it can provide things to do for more advanced preppers who simply have days they want to make useful and fine tune their preps. Fourth, it can provide an opportunity for preppers to put their heads together in creative ways and share insights easily they might not have thought significant. I am very sure a community like this has MANY small practices they can share with good effect for all. So here goes, I will start the Little Things List (LTL for short) with three items and hope it grows. If adding to the list, please use a short title, note and use the numbering and add your username.
1/ Waterproof bic. I noted on a number of survival blogs that people thought bic lighters were a simple and cheap item to keep in their preps but one drawback was they were not waterproof. I gave this some thought and came up with an answer. Take a small balloon, called water grenade balloons, (can get 100 for $4) snip off most of the narrow top part and slip the remaining part over the top of your bic lighter. This can be rolled off when you want to use it and rolled back on after use. The lighter is waterproof. Works very well. Easy to have a number of these in different places such as car, backpack, pocket kit, belt pack etc.
2/ Running on Emply. Have a jerry can of gas in your car, take it out driving until the gas gauge reads exactly empty when you are looking down on it from straight above (not at an angle) then drive to a designated location to determine how far you can drive on empty. This information could be useful if you are in a SHTF situation and have to drive all out and worried about how far you can get. Once you have done this, you have a very concise idea how far you can go on empty. For instance I know that on empty in the vehicle I currently have I can drive from Chilliwack to Hope. Good idea to take note of exact kms also.
3/ Notebook. - Keep a small notebook (the ones with hard covers and a strap around to keep closed are good) and record exactly what equipment you have ready for bug-out or bug-in. Separate pages for your belt pack, a big back pack, a small back pack, a pocket kit, a vehicle preparedness kit, food storage, preparedness chest, cache1, cache2 etc. By keeping this record, AND KEEPING IT ON YOU AT ALL TIMES, you accomplish several things: always know what you got and where it is, easy to move things from one place to another and not forget, helps to evaluate and prioritize purchases, etc. If concerned about someone else seeing it, use code for some objects.
your turn....
"The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." Tolkien
4. Crank flashlight.
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Thanks ICRCC for # 4 Crack Flashlight. I have two of these both the same make purchased couple years ago in WorkWear World. They seemed great when I got them and not too expensive. However I found when I had left them some time in storage, the wind up just does not bring on the light as it did at first. Just tried one again and same result. Can you recommend a good brand?
And gmurphy, # 5 Batteries. Yes, for sure. When you say use the same type, ie EE are you meaning the same size? Because AA and AAA are different sizes for different size flashlights. Oh, were you meaning use all AA or AAA but not mix with the other kind? I see. Yes good idea. What about long life lithium batteries? Anyone vouch for them, are they worth the price?
"The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." Tolkien
yah i was meaaning that a person use all AA or all AAA etc the theory there is you save some money as different size batteries are different prices. As for lithium, i hadn't really thought about them,they are kinda pricey. Sorry guys if sometimes my ideas don't always come out the right way, i dont mean to confuss people.
Regarding Crank Flashlight : To keep them from failing over over time I think they say the flashlights are supose to be cranked up every 6 or 12 weeks. This is somthing I forgot about as well but i keep up with it now.
Regarding Gas Tank : The point when you flat out run out of gas and the car stops has many difrent things effecting. Mostly if the car is flat level. If you start going up and down steep hill you run out faster because all the fuel has gone to one end of the tank. Same with hard turns. My truck has 3 fuel tanks so i don't have to worry too much about getting stranded.
Another gas tank trick i have learned from my father truck. 1990 S10. Throdle body Fuel injection. I was on the #1 doing 100 KPH running on fumes and it died. I kepy the key in the run postion with the clutch pushed it. engine is no longer turning. but the truck keeps power to the eletric fuel pump. Truck is slowing down and i wiggle it a liottle back and forth. all this time the fuel pump is sucking up those last few traces of fuel. Now on the side of the road, still doing about 50KPH I pop the cluch, she starts, runs and speeds up. slowly getting back up to to 100KPH then dies again. really not good for the truck but i kept doing this over and over and it got me another 10 KM's down the road untill i got to my turn off.
Nemos
Thanks Nemos, you beat me to it. Most of the crank flashlights use standard 3V lithium button batteries. Cranking will charge the batteries which will last for years if they are not totally discharged for a long period of time.
#6 Toilet paper.
#7 Cardboard boxes
Just in case you can bug out with more than your bags, a few ready to go boxes to load a few extra things would make the exit a bit quicker.
# 8 Sleeping bag
#9 fishing line. You can fish with it, use it to set up snares, tie down a tarp. Many uses.
Looks like the LTL is growing!
Nemos thanks for the info on the crank flashlight. I see now that I let mine stay in storage a long time without cranking. Do you know if the battery life can be regained by cranking regularly now? Regarding the gas tank, you have reminded us of good points about level of ground etc affecting the point we run out of gas. However, does it make sense to ask if we look straight down on gas gauge (not at angle) and measure from that point, how far we can go and then SHAVE OFF SOME KMS to account for the factors you have mentioned. Then the exercise would still have intended value??
ICRCC re sleeping bag. I have a very old down bag (over 26 years) and have assumed for some time it would not have the protective value it once had. Does anyone know anything reliable and specific about this, ie how many years good for.
Thanks wookie for idea re cardboard boxes. Should they be cellophane wrapped to prevent damage from water? Would you think of this item as more useful for SHTF and not a TEOTWAWKI situation?
Same for Toilet Paper ICRCC, easily ruined by getting wet. Idea is for bug in and not bug out? Good idea to have lots in storage if staying put.
Aaronbouge re fishing line. Yes, little measure in a pocket kit and more in a pack. Would you have two or three poundages?
I think this LTL could grow and be valuable. I have already learned several things, especially re the crank flashlights. Looking forward to more input.
"The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." Tolkien
#10
Wine makers yeast...
great to make stress reliever for use or barter.
Looks like the LTL is growing!
Nemos thanks for the info on the crank flashlight. I see now that I let mine stay in storage a long time without cranking. Do you know if the battery life can be regained by cranking regularly now? Regarding the gas tank, you have reminded us of good points about level of ground etc affecting the point we run out of gas. However, does it make sense to ask if we look straight down on gas gauge (not at angle) and measure from that point, how far we can go and then SHAVE OFF SOME KMS to account for the factors you have mentioned. Then the exercise would still have intended value??
ICRCC re sleeping bag. I have a very old down bag (over 26 years) and have assumed for some time it would not have the protective value it once had. Does anyone know anything reliable and specific about this, ie how many years good for.
Thanks wookie for idea re cardboard boxes. Should they be cellophane wrapped to prevent damage from water? Would you think of this item as more useful for SHTF and not a TEOTWAWKI situation?
Same for Toilet Paper ICRCC, easily ruined by getting wet. Idea is for bug in and not bug out? Good idea to have lots in storage if staying put.
Aaronbouge re fishing line. Yes, little measure in a pocket kit and more in a pack. Would you have two or three poundages?
I think this LTL could grow and be valuable. I have already learned several things, especially re the crank flashlights. Looking forward to more input.
Your down bag should be good for life if it is taken care of properly. NEVER wash it, only dry clean. Keep it dry and make sure the down does not clump up.
If your bag has lumps in it, then you probably have spaces where there is little to none, creating cold spots. This can be fluffed out and redistributed if you have the patience. The absolute best sleeping bag I have ever seen is the Canadian military one. Two down bags and two liners. These can be used in several combinations to make the perfect bag for any weather. The only issue is cost...last I saw they were going for $200.00 and up in surplus stores for used in fair condition. If you get one, make sure you get the compression bag that goes with it.
The matching air mattress is also cool...you have a big rubber bag at the top that is used to pump air into it!
Re Cardboard boxes... probably be a good idea to reinforce the sides and bottom with either packing or duck tape.