Origin's on - top long lasting or SHTF products
- Thread starter silverc
- Start date
Sorry, bubonic plague is caused by flea bits of infected fleas. The rich survived because they were isolated in the main from the squalor and flea breeding rats below. It would be worth your head if the noble found a rat in the living room.
Cleansing wipes - antibacterial and plain. Double up in an airtight container vacuum sealed so they don't dry out.
A very good jumbo medicine kit.
ditto on Boston's suggestion- and pads not tampons - convenience not worth the potential health risk when the grid goes down.
Actually I think in Australia if you have a month's camping trip put away and two months food you're covered for droughts, flooding rains and oil strikes. If there isn't some semblance of order in that time you'll have been airfreighted out of wherever it is (or herded into a camp!)
Cleansing wipes - antibacterial and plain. Double up in an airtight container vacuum sealed so they don't dry out.
A very good jumbo medicine kit.
ditto on Boston's suggestion- and pads not tampons - convenience not worth the potential health risk when the grid goes down.
Actually I think in Australia if you have a month's camping trip put away and two months food you're covered for droughts, flooding rains and oil strikes. If there isn't some semblance of order in that time you'll have been airfreighted out of wherever it is (or herded into a camp!)
Silver Natural 9
Member
STACK DICE!
Yes, dice. Be very bullish on dice. Post nuke holocaust/SHTF people will soon feel withdrawal symptoms from a lack of random number generation. In the future there will be a recognised Au
ie ratio and the little cubes will be very much in demand. Playing cards will fetch a nice price during trades, but dice are the end game's end game.
For trading:
coffee, tea, tobacco, ammo, knives, swiss army knives.
For hammering stuff or cutting very thick rope:
2 sledge hammers, 8 lb'ers oughtta do it. Make sure you got some hard-core pegs and rope. After all, if you've got sledges, you may as well have pegs and rope. Can't tie a hitch? Better learn.
Handy thing:
those recharging torches w/the built in winder that also comes with 6 phone adapters or so... 6 bucks from kmart i think.
don't wind them too fast while the torch is switched on or you burn out the LED lites... ( trust me )
Other stuff flowing off the top of my head:
get a parabolic mic... and then tell me if they're as much fun as I suspect. $35 eBay
brita water filter and many cartridges
Of course this is all useless unless you build a tower worthy of SHTF.
You don't need to go all out Circe or Babel, just out there in the bush, made from good solid stone and mortar, no doorway opening at ground level or more, just go the pulley type elevator thing and a 3rd floor entrance. Get some of them Israeli 3rd generation solar panels (Zennith i think ??) on the roof of the tower, and parapets are a must.
Anyone know if there are any recipie books written for cooking 'barking geckos'? There will be no shortage of em here in QLD, even after food runs out, but you will need light to attract the bugs that attract the geckos! <--- see above pointer re: recharging torch
If you forget everything except for 1 thing, remember to stack the dice.
Yes, dice. Be very bullish on dice. Post nuke holocaust/SHTF people will soon feel withdrawal symptoms from a lack of random number generation. In the future there will be a recognised Au
ie ratio and the little cubes will be very much in demand. Playing cards will fetch a nice price during trades, but dice are the end game's end game.For trading:
coffee, tea, tobacco, ammo, knives, swiss army knives.
For hammering stuff or cutting very thick rope:
2 sledge hammers, 8 lb'ers oughtta do it. Make sure you got some hard-core pegs and rope. After all, if you've got sledges, you may as well have pegs and rope. Can't tie a hitch? Better learn.
Handy thing:
those recharging torches w/the built in winder that also comes with 6 phone adapters or so... 6 bucks from kmart i think.
don't wind them too fast while the torch is switched on or you burn out the LED lites... ( trust me )
Other stuff flowing off the top of my head:
get a parabolic mic... and then tell me if they're as much fun as I suspect. $35 eBay
brita water filter and many cartridges
Of course this is all useless unless you build a tower worthy of SHTF.
You don't need to go all out Circe or Babel, just out there in the bush, made from good solid stone and mortar, no doorway opening at ground level or more, just go the pulley type elevator thing and a 3rd floor entrance. Get some of them Israeli 3rd generation solar panels (Zennith i think ??) on the roof of the tower, and parapets are a must.
Anyone know if there are any recipie books written for cooking 'barking geckos'? There will be no shortage of em here in QLD, even after food runs out, but you will need light to attract the bugs that attract the geckos! <--- see above pointer re: recharging torch
If you forget everything except for 1 thing, remember to stack the dice.
Silver Natural 9
Member
Incase you missed it the 1st time:
Silver Natural 9 said:
Silver Natural 9
Member
MatrixOpals said:I shyt you not; I was just conversing with my mate we should stack dice, cards and boardgames only approx 40 minutes ago.Silver Natural 9 said:
We were envisioning what people would of done for entertainment during calamities and times of strife/hard-times. The mentioned came to our mind.
1) Dice.
2) Cards.
3) Marbles and pet rocks.
4) Board games.
Matrix, we should start working on the 'Dice Stackers' forums.
I reckon board games and card games have been the cause of more deaths over the years than bubonic plague and cholera combined! 
Chief Wiggum; "Another Monopoly related homocide, damn those Parker Bros."
Chief Wiggum; "Another Monopoly related homocide, damn those Parker Bros."
millededge
Active Member
as usual got carried away with a long and detailed post, only to see I'm automatically logged out and lost the lot without saving 
oh well, I'll do it piecemeal
As others have said, an excellent start point, for a bag of goodies, is the camping mindset
I'll start with the best flashlight for the money that I could find after the hard yards:
Fenix PD30 R5 Cree XP-G LED 257 Lms Flashlight
This little beauty can be bought on ebay for $60.50 and shipped free
late edit in...
here is an alternative, larger, but enormously brighter (740 lms) alternative, with optional upgrade to 1000 lms. If you are interested, you must check the import rules on bright flashing items like this, before buying.
http://shop.gregmcgeeengineering.com/M3-2I-Tactical-740-Lumen-1000-Lumen-option-on-checkout-007.htm
oh well, I'll do it piecemeal
As others have said, an excellent start point, for a bag of goodies, is the camping mindset
I'll start with the best flashlight for the money that I could find after the hard yards:
Fenix PD30 R5 Cree XP-G LED 257 Lms Flashlight
This little beauty can be bought on ebay for $60.50 and shipped free
late edit in...
here is an alternative, larger, but enormously brighter (740 lms) alternative, with optional upgrade to 1000 lms. If you are interested, you must check the import rules on bright flashing items like this, before buying.
http://shop.gregmcgeeengineering.com/M3-2I-Tactical-740-Lumen-1000-Lumen-option-on-checkout-007.htm
millededge
Active Member
next
the knife
bang for buck, after some decent research is consistently:
Fallkniven F1 (pronounced fellneeven I think)
this is used by the swedish military
the blade is not very big, but this is good for fine handwork
a slightly larger knife, well regarded as great, is:
Cold Steel Master Hunter (with Kraton gripped handle) - note there is an el cheapo version, best to avoid unless bought as a general purpose cheap but very high quality knife). Note - this is not the Mini Hunter, which is smaller and cheaper
both of these knives can be had from overseas at half the price of the Aussie shops
I haven't imported yet. Customs are picky about knives, but to the best of my ability these are acceptable for import, as they are straightforward hunting knives. You can email customs for a clarification and this will save heartache.
If you want to be crocodile dundee, then the Navy Seals Pup Elite knife gets a good review
edit - there is also the "Mora" knife - this is also a favourite amongst hunters, though the blade is quite small
a review of the F1 is here:
http://briarpatchoutdoors.educationforthesoul.com/articles/fallkniven_review.html
the knife
bang for buck, after some decent research is consistently:
Fallkniven F1 (pronounced fellneeven I think)
this is used by the swedish military
the blade is not very big, but this is good for fine handwork
a slightly larger knife, well regarded as great, is:
Cold Steel Master Hunter (with Kraton gripped handle) - note there is an el cheapo version, best to avoid unless bought as a general purpose cheap but very high quality knife). Note - this is not the Mini Hunter, which is smaller and cheaper
both of these knives can be had from overseas at half the price of the Aussie shops
I haven't imported yet. Customs are picky about knives, but to the best of my ability these are acceptable for import, as they are straightforward hunting knives. You can email customs for a clarification and this will save heartache.
If you want to be crocodile dundee, then the Navy Seals Pup Elite knife gets a good review
edit - there is also the "Mora" knife - this is also a favourite amongst hunters, though the blade is quite small
a review of the F1 is here:
http://briarpatchoutdoors.educationforthesoul.com/articles/fallkniven_review.html
millededge
Active Member
next - navigation
Silva (nice name) is a swedish company which is regarded as top of the line for compasses (many will remember them from orienteering at school)
The Silva Ranger (latest is CL 515) is a very well regarded cheaper compass
The Expedition 54 is military grade & from what I understand is used by the Australian Army - not cheap, but you can get it less than half on ebay if you keep looking.
You'll also want laminated (ie waterproofed) topographical maps of your intended location, streetmaps where appropriate
editing in a link to the ranger from the manufacturer:
http://store.silvacompass.com/products/345156/Ranger_CL__515_Compass
Silva (nice name) is a swedish company which is regarded as top of the line for compasses (many will remember them from orienteering at school)
The Silva Ranger (latest is CL 515) is a very well regarded cheaper compass
The Expedition 54 is military grade & from what I understand is used by the Australian Army - not cheap, but you can get it less than half on ebay if you keep looking.
You'll also want laminated (ie waterproofed) topographical maps of your intended location, streetmaps where appropriate
editing in a link to the ranger from the manufacturer:
http://store.silvacompass.com/products/345156/Ranger_CL__515_Compass
millededge
Active Member
next - water
Katadyn produce a range of water filters. The cheaper ones are less durable, but still great
The top of the line is the Micropocket filter, which is very rugged, metal cased and contains a silver impregnanted ceramic filter which lasts absolutely ages and makes brown puddles potable, removing cryptosporidium and the usual range of micro-unpleasantries, except viruses
http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn...endurance-series-products/katadyn-pocket-usa/
Water purification tabs - I got 50pk Aquamira miltary issue tabs cheaply via ebay. I'm yet to try one, but they get a reasonable writeup in terms of palatability and durability
example:
http://www.aquamira.com/emergency/aquamira-water-purifier-tablets-24-pack
An alternative is an iodine based prep - the best one, name gone for now, I could only find in the US and is not importable for some reason. Locally available preps online are invariably hugely overpriced and regarded as very untasty
edit - el cheapo, but very durable, if a little untasty, is simple pool chlorine (calcium hypochlorite), but you'll have to wait for the chlorine to evaporate off
in an emergency, simply hanging water in a transparent bag exposed to sunlight will kill off quite a few bugs
you can always boil - very cheap, but time consuming
finally - a plastic bag placed over a leafy branch, eg certain gum trees, with the neck tied securely can be used to make the leaves "sweat" water into the bag, on a hot day in arid conditions, when there is plenty of time to kill
You'll also need a container. I think simple water containers made of a durable soft compressible plastic will do, maybe a camelbak equipped backpack.
example of a soft bottle:
http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/water-bottles/plusbottle/product
example of a steel container:
http://www.kleankanteen.com/products/klean-kanteens.php
Katadyn produce a range of water filters. The cheaper ones are less durable, but still great
The top of the line is the Micropocket filter, which is very rugged, metal cased and contains a silver impregnanted ceramic filter which lasts absolutely ages and makes brown puddles potable, removing cryptosporidium and the usual range of micro-unpleasantries, except viruses
http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn...endurance-series-products/katadyn-pocket-usa/
Water purification tabs - I got 50pk Aquamira miltary issue tabs cheaply via ebay. I'm yet to try one, but they get a reasonable writeup in terms of palatability and durability
example:
http://www.aquamira.com/emergency/aquamira-water-purifier-tablets-24-pack
An alternative is an iodine based prep - the best one, name gone for now, I could only find in the US and is not importable for some reason. Locally available preps online are invariably hugely overpriced and regarded as very untasty
edit - el cheapo, but very durable, if a little untasty, is simple pool chlorine (calcium hypochlorite), but you'll have to wait for the chlorine to evaporate off
in an emergency, simply hanging water in a transparent bag exposed to sunlight will kill off quite a few bugs
you can always boil - very cheap, but time consuming
finally - a plastic bag placed over a leafy branch, eg certain gum trees, with the neck tied securely can be used to make the leaves "sweat" water into the bag, on a hot day in arid conditions, when there is plenty of time to kill
You'll also need a container. I think simple water containers made of a durable soft compressible plastic will do, maybe a camelbak equipped backpack.
example of a soft bottle:
http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/water-bottles/plusbottle/product
example of a steel container:
http://www.kleankanteen.com/products/klean-kanteens.php
millededge
Active Member
fire
Swedish Firesteel - the bigger model, good for 15000 strikes
It is said you should have three ways of making fire
A high quality compressed butane lighter might be an alternative - I found the dream version online but lost the link, sad to say
Waterproof matches - a third way, but I'm yet to research the best
As for wood - the Sabrecut Saw seems to be all in all the best handsaw, basically a soft two handled chainsaw blade, but there is an art to using it, the tines need occasional sharpening and it won't do for the small stuff, but if you have the Master Hunter or Seals Pup you won't worry about that
You might also want some hexamine blocks
Swedish Firesteel - the bigger model, good for 15000 strikes
It is said you should have three ways of making fire
A high quality compressed butane lighter might be an alternative - I found the dream version online but lost the link, sad to say
Waterproof matches - a third way, but I'm yet to research the best
As for wood - the Sabrecut Saw seems to be all in all the best handsaw, basically a soft two handled chainsaw blade, but there is an art to using it, the tines need occasional sharpening and it won't do for the small stuff, but if you have the Master Hunter or Seals Pup you won't worry about that
You might also want some hexamine blocks
millededge
Active Member
Space blanket or space bivvy bag
These are very cheap on ebay and occupy a tiny space
These are very cheap on ebay and occupy a tiny space
millededge
Active Member
100mph tape, otherwise known as duct tape (not the crappy silver stuff)
the story behind the name is interesting, but I can't vouch for the authenticity although it seems to be true enough...
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=100 mph tape
edit in...this stuff looks excellent & is on my list now:
http://www.gorillatape.com/tapes.aspx
the story behind the name is interesting, but I can't vouch for the authenticity although it seems to be true enough...
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=100 mph tape
edit in...this stuff looks excellent & is on my list now:
http://www.gorillatape.com/tapes.aspx
millededge
Active Member
Multitool - Leatherman Wave with Accessory Bit Kit
this seems to be the allrounder and I've bought two for the price of one bought in Australia, direct from the US, inclusive of shipping
http://www.leatherman.com/product/Wave
http://www.leatherman.com/accessories/product/bit_kit
this seems to be the allrounder and I've bought two for the price of one bought in Australia, direct from the US, inclusive of shipping
http://www.leatherman.com/product/Wave
http://www.leatherman.com/accessories/product/bit_kit
millededge
Active Member
Speedhook is a nice, simple way of catching fish. Can be had very cheaply.
http://www.speedhook.com/servlet/StoreFront
http://www.speedhook.com/servlet/StoreFront
millededge
Active Member
ever want an absolutely killer whistle?
Storm or Windstorm original all-weather survival safety whistle satisifes the craving. No mucking around here. I only tried this on medium blow and it leaves a decent ring in the ear.
This might double up well in self defense. It is extremely loud.
The model I have is a bit chunky (the Storm version, which is the beast of whistles) - much bigger than the ref's.
The attached site review is not where I got it, but gives the specs for the smaller version (windstorm, fits on a keyring).
http://reviews.duluthtrading.com/pr...-Safety-Whistle-Windstorm-Safety-Whistle.html
Storm or Windstorm original all-weather survival safety whistle satisifes the craving. No mucking around here. I only tried this on medium blow and it leaves a decent ring in the ear.
This might double up well in self defense. It is extremely loud.
The model I have is a bit chunky (the Storm version, which is the beast of whistles) - much bigger than the ref's.
The attached site review is not where I got it, but gives the specs for the smaller version (windstorm, fits on a keyring).
http://reviews.duluthtrading.com/pr...-Safety-Whistle-Windstorm-Safety-Whistle.html
millededge said:as usual got carried away with a long and detailed post, only to see I'm automatically logged out and lost the lot without saving
oh well, I'll do it piecemeal
As others have said, an excellent start point, for a bag of goodies, is the camping mindset
I'll start with the best flashlight for the money that I could find after the hard yards:
Fenix PD30 R5 Cree XP-G LED 257 Lms Flashlight
This little beauty can be bought on ebay for $60.50 and shipped free
I used to buy cheapo keychain torches until I was having a beer with a young guy from work whom pulled out an expensive CREE jobbie. I told him he was crazy until he took me outside and pegged it as hard as he could against a brick wall and it didn't break, he then blinded me with it in bright daylight with it to prove how good it was at decamping from BG's if ever needed. That spot on my eyes lasted for at least 30mins!!!
Since then I bought 1 good one and it's lasted for years
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82JLxaRvAAQ[/youtube]
millededge
Active Member
not exactly camping material, but for a nuclear SHTF, there are a number of personal dosimeters on the market and the price seems to be falling whilst the quality improving
example: the K8
http://k8community.com/
I have the older Nukalert -
http://www.nukalert.com/
for a cheap and cheerful disposable dosimeter (2 bucks) - peel and stick card that fits in a wallet, there is RadSticker
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4348094.htm
example: the K8
http://k8community.com/
I have the older Nukalert -
http://www.nukalert.com/
for a cheap and cheerful disposable dosimeter (2 bucks) - peel and stick card that fits in a wallet, there is RadSticker
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4348094.htm
millededge said:
Just watched a video on it! Good if you can't catch fish I suppose, if you can already fish then it won't improve catch rate. A stick of dynamite will do the job better. Which reminds me, speaking of fish, this is something similar that many out west used to do, catch a few jewies (freshwater catfish) and chuck em in the rainwater tank to fatten up.
Or you could try this:
http://www.aquaponics.com.au/
Juvenile fish are available from hatcheries australia wide, steamed freshwater fish done with a few spices are brilliant. 99Reza might even have a recipe to share.