A Beginners Guide to Being Prepared

ShadowFox · 01-03-2014 9:20pm #1

After the latest storms I was talking to Madmaxi and Rhinocharge and we were amazed how unprepared people were, looking at this forum people might be put off by the amount of gear we have and money it costs little do they realize how little it costs to start being prepared for storms and natural disasters. So I thought a beginners guide thread might help.

The main things you need are
Water
Food
Heat
Something to cook on
Light
Tools

Water
The recommend amount is 1 gallon of water per person per day at least you may use more you may use a little less

Food
Tinned food with long shelf life is always good but only store what you eat and what can be cooked without the need for an oven or deep fat frier or the likes you may not have electric (Madmaxi will hopefully add ideas to this later)

Heat
Extra blankets clothes duvets are all great If you have an open fire or super ser better again

Something to cook on
An open fire (please be careful) A bar b que / Fire pit or a small camp stove (very cheap in tesco at the moment) And extra fuel for whatever option you have

Light
Flashlights
Candles
Headlamps are very handy

Tools
A basic pliers
Flat and Philips head screw driver
Axe/Hatchet
Hammer or you can use the Axe/hatchet for this
Rope (washing line will do for most things)
Duct tape (or similar in €2 shop)
Electrical tape
Rubbish bags Heavier the better

Also a first aid kit and extra Prescription Medications you may be on A tin opener extra batteries Lighter or matches or both

Im sure the other members of this forum will have more to add

aaakev · 01-03-2014 11:26pm

Practice. No point in having things and not knowing how to use them! Have a bbq for backup? Use it a few times a year so you know what your at! Have an ax for gathering wood? Get out and use it!

The Glass Key · 02-03-2014 11:42am

Add a bucket to the list

When the power goes off your water might also go then you can't flush the toilet, so if you have notice fill your bath (if you have one) with water and use a bucket full (or better still only as much as needed) to flush the toilet. The mop or floor bucket that people sometimes have under the sink is just as good.

thehippychippy · 02-03-2014 1:05pm

Wellies. Can't go wrong with a good pair of wellies. I picked up a good pair of waders maybe two years ago for dirt cheap, and i I think, but I also have a pair of wellies each for myself and the boss.

The Glass Key · 02-03-2014 3:44pm

Matches and or Lighter

You should know how to turn off the following for various reasons in an emergency, not just a survival situation.

Electric
Water
Gas

Know where the main switches are, how to access them (do you need to get a key to open anything) and have any necessary tools to hand.

For example your fuse board might need a key to open it up to get to the main switch and your water might need a wrench to turn it off and back on again.

Edit> sorry ShadowFox just spotted you have matches and lighter on your original list.

ShadowFox · 02-03-2014 3:51pm

Paper plates and plastic beakers cutlery you dont want to waste valuable water cleaning dishes

jocmilt · 02-03-2014 3:58pm

LED headlamp is a good suggestion. I have one that will go for over 10 hours on a set of batteries and I always have a second on charge, so with sparing it you could be talking days of light.

I would say the first question you must answer is, "can I keep my body heat up?" If you can't you're dead. That's not being alarmist, lots of old people in this country die because they think going to bed in the cold will keep them warm. What about when they get out of bed barely warm enough to move? Keeping your home at a safe temperature is something you need to work out before water, food or other comforts.

How about cash? What if the bank machines go down like they did last year?

The Glass Key · 02-03-2014 4:01pm

Cash is an obvious item to have but I think the idea is to keep it as simple as possible and to keep costs down so we don't put anyone off who reads this thread and thinks I can't afford that and does nothing.

ShadowFox · 02-03-2014 4:19pm

Keeping yourself warm is a must but sometimes its not possible to keep your home warm as your central heating wont work without electric in 80% of homes get a blanket cut a hole out for your head and either some string to tie it around you or duct tape it. Water is one of the most important things as you can make hot drinks on a little camp stove to keep you warm. As the Glass Key said fill your bath if you get a little notice that you may be cut off if you dont have a bath use buckets plastic storage tubs pots any thing that will hold water you will find something in your local €2 shop or ask at your local take away for one of their mayo buckets their food grade so safe to use

madmaxi · 02-03-2014 7:35pm

Food supply for 2+ days for 2 adults+2 children:

2x Water 5L (Aldi) @ €1.29 = €2.58
Or
6x Water 2L (Aldi) @ €2.79.
5L bottles of water have a better chance of not been consumed prior to emergency need compared to the 2L bottles.

1x Avonmore unsalted butter 227G (Tesco) @ €1.69.
Unsalted butter lasts longer than salted butter as it's made with fresher cream. Add your own salt for taste.

1x Tesco everyday value lard 250G @ €0.59
1x Solest vegetable oil 1L (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Minavit multivitamins (Lidl) @ €1.39

Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, salt & pepper you most likely have already in your press.

1x Tesco every day value toilet tissue 4 Roll @ €0.99
1x Toujours baby wipes 80's (Lidl) @ €1.19
Baby wipes are a handy alternative for a quick body wash, when water is in short supply.

Breakfast:
2x Tins of Sweet valley fruit cocktail 411g syrup (Aldi) @ €0.65 = €1.30
1x Tin of Harvin peaches 820g syrup (Lidl) @ €1.19
Or
1x Tin of Lustre fruit cocktail 410g Natural Juice(Tesco) @ €1.49
1x Tin of Lustre peaches 410g Natural Juice (Tesco) @ €1.49

Aldi choice gives twice the fruit content, Tesco choice allows the user to drink the natural juice.

1x Belmont rich tea biscuits 300g (Aldi) @ €0.28
1x Belmont digestives 300g (Aldi) @ €0.45
1x Towergate ginger nut biscuits 300g (Lidl) @ €0.39

Lunch:
1x Ocean rise tuna chunks 185g Brine (Aldi) @ €0.89
2x Ocean rise sardines 125g (Aldi) @ €0.57 = €1.14
1x Tesco cream crackers 200G @ €0.26
1x Rivercote wheaten crackers 250g (Lidl) @ €1.79

Dinner:
1x Bitash long grain rice 1kg (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Cucina fullia pasta 1kg (Aldi) @ €0.94
1x Princes corned beef 340g (Tesco) @ €2.55
2x Newgate meatballs in tomato sauce 392g (Lidl) @ €0.79 = €1.58
1x Casserole Irish stew 392g (Supervalu) @ €2.19
1x Manor house chunky chicken in white sauce 400g (Lidl) @ €1.79

1 of each of the following tins:
Sweet harvest kidney beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.21
Sweet harvest processed peas 400g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Sweet harvest baked beans in tomato sauce 420g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Tesco value sliced carrots 300g @ €0.36
Sweet harvest chopped tomatoes 400g (Aldi) @ €0.37
Sweet harvest chick peas 400g (Aldi) €0.59
Faeshona sweetcorn 400g (Lidl) @ €0.59
Sweet harvest mixed beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.59

In cart:
2x Water 5L (Aldi) @ €1.29 = €2.58
1x Avonmore unsalted butter 227G (Tesco) @ €1.69.
1x Tesco everyday value lard 250G @ €0.59
1x Solest vegetable oil 1L (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Minavit multivitamins (Lidl) @ €1.39
1x Tesco every day value toilet tissue 4 Roll @ €0.99
1x Toujours baby wipes 80's (Lidl) @ €1.19
2x Tins of Sweet valley fruit cocktail 411g syrup (Aldi) @ €0.65 = €1.30
2x Tin of Harvin peaches 820g syrup (Lidl) @ €1.19
1x Belmont rich tea biscuits 300g (Aldi) @ €0.28
1x Belmont digestives 300g (Aldi) @ €0.45
1x Towergate ginger nut biscuits 300g (Lidl) @ €0.39
1x Ocean rise tuna chunks 185g Brine (Aldi) @ €0.89
2x Ocean rise sardines 125g (Aldi) @ €0.57 = €1.14
1x Tesco cream crackers 200G @ €0.26
1x Rivercote wheaten crackers 250g (Lidl) @ €1.79
1x Bitash long grain rice 1kg (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Cucina fullia pasta 1kg (Aldi) @ €0.94
1x Princes corned beef 340g (Tesco) @ €2.55
2x Newgate meatballs in tomato sauce 392g (Lidl) @ €0.79 = €1.58
1x Casserole Irish stew 392g (Supervalu) @ €2.19
1x Manor house chunky chicken in white sauce 400g (Lidl) @ €1.79
Sweet harvest kidney beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.21
Sweet harvest processed peas 400g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Sweet harvest baked beans in tomato sauce 420g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Tesco value sliced carrots 300g @ €0.36
Sweet harvest chopped tomatoes 400g (Aldi) @ €0.37
Sweet harvest chick peas 400g (Aldi) €0.59
Faeshona sweetcorn 400g (Lidl) @ €0.59
Sweet harvest mixed beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.59

Total cost: €30.84
If you have a gas cooker you are ok, if not please consider the items below.
There are better & cheaper alternatives for cooking, but everyone knows argos.
Portable Butane Gas Camping Stove. cat num: 909/9562 @ €20.99.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9099562/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports%2Band%2Bleisure%7C14419152/c_2/3%7C19719008%7CCamping%7C14419397/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419397%7CCamping%2Bstoves%2Band%2Bcooking%2Baccessories%7C14419406.htm
Campingaz CP250 Resealable Gas Cartridge - 4 Pack. cat num: 340/8252 @ €13.99.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3408252/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports%2Band%2Bleisure%7C14419152/c_2/3%7C19719008%7CCamping%7C14419397/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419397%7CCamping%2Bstoves%2Band%2Bcooking%2Baccessories%7C14419406.htm

This is a basic list. Feel free to modify it for your own taste or needs.

ShadowFox · 02-03-2014 8:20pm

madmaxi wrote: »

Food supply for 2+ days for 2 adults+2 children:

2x Water 5L (Aldi) @ €1.29 = €2.58
Or
6x Water 2L (Aldi) @ €2.79.
5L bottles of water have a better chance of not been consumed prior to emergency need compared to the 2L bottles.

1x Avonmore unsalted butter 227G (Tesco) @ €1.69.
Unsalted butter lasts longer than salted butter as it's made with fresher cream. Add your own salt for taste.

1x Tesco everyday value lard 250G @ €0.59
1x Solest vegetable oil 1L (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Minavit multivitamins (Lidl) @ €1.39

Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, salt & pepper you most likely have already in your press.

1x Tesco every day value toilet tissue 4 Roll @ €0.99
1x Toujours baby wipes 80's (Lidl) @ €1.19
Baby wipes are a handy alternative for a quick body wash, when water is in short supply.

Breakfast:
2x Tins of Sweet valley fruit cocktail 411g syrup (Aldi) @ €0.65 = €1.30
1x Tin of Harvin peaches 820g syrup (Lidl) @ €1.19
Or
1x Tin of Lustre fruit cocktail 410g Natural Juice(Tesco) @ €1.49
1x Tin of Lustre peaches 410g Natural Juice (Tesco) @ €1.49

Aldi choice gives twice the fruit content, Tesco choice allows the user to drink the natural juice.

1x Belmont rich tea biscuits 300g (Aldi) @ €0.28
1x Belmont digestives 300g (Aldi) @ €0.45
1x Towergate ginger nut biscuits 300g (Lidl) @ €0.39

Lunch:
1x Ocean rise tuna chunks 185g Brine (Aldi) @ €0.89
2x Ocean rise sardines 125g (Aldi) @ €0.57 = €1.14
1x Tesco cream crackers 200G @ €0.26
1x Rivercote wheaten crackers 250g (Lidl) @ €1.79

Dinner:
1x Bitash long grain rice 1kg (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Cucina fullia pasta 1kg (Aldi) @ €0.94
1x Princes corned beef 340g (Tesco) @ €2.55
2x Newgate meatballs in tomato sauce 392g (Lidl) @ €0.79 = €1.58
1x Casserole Irish stew 392g (Supervalu) @ €2.19
1x Manor house chunky chicken in white sauce 400g (Lidl) @ €1.79

1 of each of the following tins:
Sweet harvest kidney beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.21
Sweet harvest processed peas 400g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Sweet harvest baked beans in tomato sauce 420g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Tesco value sliced carrots 300g @ €0.36
Sweet harvest chopped tomatoes 400g (Aldi) @ €0.37
Sweet harvest chick peas 400g (Aldi) €0.59
Faeshona sweetcorn 400g (Lidl) @ €0.59
Sweet harvest mixed beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.59

In cart:
2x Water 5L (Aldi) @ €1.29 = €2.58
1x Avonmore unsalted butter 227G (Tesco) @ €1.69.
1x Tesco everyday value lard 250G @ €0.59
1x Solest vegetable oil 1L (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Minavit multivitamins (Lidl) @ €1.39
1x Tesco every day value toilet tissue 4 Roll @ €0.99
1x Toujours baby wipes 80's (Lidl) @ €1.19
2x Tins of Sweet valley fruit cocktail 411g syrup (Aldi) @ €0.65 = €1.30
2x Tin of Harvin peaches 820g syrup (Lidl) @ €1.19
1x Belmont rich tea biscuits 300g (Aldi) @ €0.28
1x Belmont digestives 300g (Aldi) @ €0.45
1x Towergate ginger nut biscuits 300g (Lidl) @ €0.39
1x Ocean rise tuna chunks 185g Brine (Aldi) @ €0.89
2x Ocean rise sardines 125g (Aldi) @ €0.57 = €1.14
1x Tesco cream crackers 200G @ €0.26
1x Rivercote wheaten crackers 250g (Lidl) @ €1.79
1x Bitash long grain rice 1kg (Aldi) @ €1.19
1x Cucina fullia pasta 1kg (Aldi) @ €0.94
1x Princes corned beef 340g (Tesco) @ €2.55
2x Newgate meatballs in tomato sauce 392g (Lidl) @ €0.79 = €1.58
1x Casserole Irish stew 392g (Supervalu) @ €2.19
1x Manor house chunky chicken in white sauce 400g (Lidl) @ €1.79
Sweet harvest kidney beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.21
Sweet harvest processed peas 400g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Sweet harvest baked beans in tomato sauce 420g (Aldi) @ €0.29
Tesco value sliced carrots 300g @ €0.36
Sweet harvest chopped tomatoes 400g (Aldi) @ €0.37
Sweet harvest chick peas 400g (Aldi) €0.59
Faeshona sweetcorn 400g (Lidl) @ €0.59
Sweet harvest mixed beans 400g (Aldi) @ €0.59

Total cost: €30.84
If you have a gas cooker you are ok, if not please consider the items below.
There are better & cheaper alternatives for cooking, but everyone knows argos.
Portable Butane Gas Camping Stove. cat num: 909/9562 @ €20.99.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9099562/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports%2Band%2Bleisure%7C14419152/c_2/3%7C19719008%7CCamping%7C14419397/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419397%7CCamping%2Bstoves%2Band%2Bcooking%2Baccessories%7C14419406.htm
Campingaz CP250 Resealable Gas Cartridge - 4 Pack. cat num: 340/8252 @ €13.99.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3408252/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports%2Band%2Bleisure%7C14419152/c_2/3%7C19719008%7CCamping%7C14419397/c_3/4%7Ccat_14419397%7CCamping%2Bstoves%2Band%2Bcooking%2Baccessories%7C14419406.htm

This is a basic list. Feel free to modify it for your own taste or needs.

Great post and thank you for adding the prices basically €1.50 a week and your sorted for most emergencies

H.O.T.A.S. · 03-03-2014 11:09pm

Battery powered radio for news/weather updates.

The Glass Key · 04-03-2014 12:43am

Thin Regular Bleach of this type http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=260550096

I don't want to over complicate things on a beginners guide but I think we need something for water purification/disinfection just in case the only drinking source is water butt water or worse.

If you can boil water that's better but you might want to wash vegetables, clean utensils and brush your teeth in water that's not got such a high cost in fuel if there is a limited supply.

Obviously water purification tablets would be good but not as readily available as large bottle of Regular Bleach (not thick toilet bleach or scented etc) which can disinfect a lot of water for drinking. The rate and I stand to be corrected is 4 drops to a 2 liter bottle of water. Water if its not clear should be filtered through material first (layers of cotton sheets that sort of thing you can also allow the sediment to settle out) and if the water is still cloudy double the dose of bleach to 8 drops to 2 liters. Shake/mix well and allow to stand for 30 mins before use.

ShadowFox · 04-03-2014 9:26pm

Powder Fire Extinguisher and Fire blanket and practice how to use them (should really be in every home anyway but you never know)

SNAKEDOC · 05-03-2014 1:01am

Heat packs for emergency use. Pmr radios if you are close to neighbours for keeping in contact, or if on a farm when out with animals. Id imagine farm acidents go up in bad weather. Best to be in contact with someone who is in a position to help you.

madmaxi · 05-03-2014 3:03am

Strictly for the home:

2x 20L Jerry cans of Kerosene to top up the oil tank in case you run low @ €40-€50
or
1x Calor gas canister for a Superser heater, very handy as it can be moved from room to room. (4 weeks with moderate use) @ €32-€35.
or
2x bags of coal
2x bales of briquettes
1x bag of kindling
1x fire lighters
€50-€60 depending on type of coal & bag sizes.

itsirishfarmer · 05-03-2014 3:18am

with all the rain you would not need water

just a way to filter it like sand or charcole

Effects · 05-03-2014 3:33am

ShadowFox wrote: »

Water
The recommend amount is 1 gallon of water per person per day at least you may use more you may use a little less

What's that in litres? Who uses gallons these days?

Vexorg · 05-03-2014 11:59am

What's that in litres?

A US gallon is 3.78541 litres, say 3.75 for convenience
An imperial gallon is 4.54609 litres, say 4.5 for convenience

Who uses gallons these days?

Our immediate neighbours to the East and West, and my Dad

Fries-With-That · 05-03-2014 5:09pm

Effects wrote: »

What's that in litres? Who uses gallons these days?

Your age is showing, anyone of a certain vintage in this country still tends to think in "pounds and pence","feet and inches" and pints and gallons.

Just as a side note if you had a boozy night out and drank 8 pints would you say I drank a gallon of porter last night or I drank 4.54609 litres of porter last night.

ShadowFox · 05-03-2014 5:19pm

Keep it on topic lads

ShadowFox · 06-03-2014 4:45pm

If you have an Eircom landline (home phone) pick up a cheap corded phone like
http://powercity.ie/?par=20-32-TB254&pages=1&prod=TB254&brands=citybell&image= as your cordless one is only an ornament in a power cut

Stovepipe · 06-03-2014 10:00pm

Hi all,
A toolkit: you should have enough tools to be able to service your vehicle (oil/fuel/air filtration) and change tyres on same; fix a bike; service and fix a quad or other type of ATV (plugs/oil/air filter). You should also be able to pump tyres for any vehicle or bike. You may not be able to depend on availability of a garage or may have to make field repairs to get you home or to high ground. You should also have tools for domestic work (virtually every domestic appliance uses Torx fittings, just like German cars), as well as Allen keys for vehicle work.
regards
Stovepipe

my3cents · 20-10-2014 5:39pm

In case anyone is looking for a simple guide to being prepared then I can recommend downloading GONE Before You Get There subtitled 77 Items That Instantly Vanish From Store Shelves in a Panic and Why Peparing For a Crisis Cannot Wait.

The guide is short, 50 pages, easy to read on a computer and has lots of useful information. It's written for an American audience but what isn't, there are some suggestions that don't work here (buying animal antibiotics at a farm store for example) but the primary purpose of the book seems to be to get the idea of needing to be prepared and how to prepare over to people that don't know where to start.

There are a few useful lists including the list of 77 items that will be Gone Before You Get There if you leave it till the last minute.

A Beginners Guide to Being Prepared

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