dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

we figured we would try to live in a shtf scenario for 48 hours to see how it goes and map out things we've missed in preparation for a real scenario.

this friday, at 6 pm, we will turn off the water, electricity, heat, everything, and live off candles, stored fuel, stored food, and stored water until 6 pm next sunday night.

i'm planning on milling some flour + trying to cook some bread in a coleman gas oven and trying out our water purification system.

i think everyone should do this. i'm sure come sunday night i will have a list of about 20 things i need to go buy. :36_1_25:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Why are you going to mill flour? Do you grow wheat?

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Good idea....be sure to give us the follow-up.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

If it gets unbearable at home you can use some stored fuel to go to a nice restaurant for some stored food.:s1:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Best way to store flour is in grain form, and mill when needed. If you purchase bulk whole wheat flour the germ is removed because it turns rancid so quickly. Losing the germ is not desirable since it is so nutritious. If you like baking good bread you pretty much have to mill your own wheat berries, which is easy (fun) enough once you invest in the mill.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

That would be awesome to hear about!!!

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

i've got some hard winter red wheat from the lds starter kits + a victorio hand grain mill. here's where you can get the kits:

http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs...0151&langId=-1

i've got a gas powered coleman oven from cabelas, going to hook up propane, mill some flour, and try making some bread. i'm thinking the missus will be making me take her out to dinner at approximately 7 pm sunday night.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Hey, this SHTF dry run sounds like a great idea chad. How do you really know you can do it until you try?

I don't think I'm ready for a dry run yet, but I believe it would behoove me to try it anyway. I can always bail if I run into a "lesson". Later on, when the SHTF, there won't be an opportunity to bail out. It'll be a matter of adapt or die.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

:4_1_72: :4_1_72: :4_1_72: :4_1_72:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

that's my thinking. i want to find out about big holes in my plan before there are actually zombie hoards with deer rifles wandering around on the streets.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Good plan Chad. Be interesting to see what holes you find.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

I like it...
Wife, not so much...

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Until she's forced into it by necessity...then she'll really hate it....

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Chad, I commend you for trying. (un)fortunatley we dont have to do this on purpose, we just wait for hurricane season.

I do want to try this though, but my daughter is only a year and half old and its been 90 something degrees out latley. Just like during the hurricanes, its no fun here without power in those conditions, much less if you're 1 1/2

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Haha, yeah. But she's a good lady. I still think there is some time before worst case scenario, so I don't press the issue to much yet. If I was really uptight about it she would give in for me. Going to have to tell her I love her tonight. :36_3_13:

Ours is about the same age as yours but luckily we are in zone 6 so it's nice and temperate right now. So if I were to push for something this would be the time.

Good luck if a hurricane heads your way

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Unfortunately, i can't do the dry run thing, as my plan consists of hunting down the local 'preppers', murdering them, and taking all their painstakingly accumulated crap.....
hey....
wherabouts in the country do you live?
:wink:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

QWAK,chad,Injoy the ADVENTURE!:yes:

Try not to get angry:36_1_25: or upset:452: -- LAUGH:111: when things go wrong :yes: you will get more out of the experiment if you do and you will be more FLEXABLE and able to adapt.

Maintaining a calm, positive state of mind is #1:yes:

Long term -- try to adopt as much as you can in to your daily life AFTER the 48 hr. experiment --- change is much easier when it is by CHOICE rather than NESESITY and the less you have to change when at some time in the future the OPTIONS are not there -- IF you have already changed YOUR needs and expectations -- adapting to the new reality will be much easier!:yes:

GOOD LUCK!

the DUCK :15_1_70v:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Awesome idea....just not on the weekend of the NFL draft for a sports junkie like me. :moon:


I will talk to the g/f and see what her thoughts are about trying this later this summer after we have done some more prepping.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Today's the day, isn't it? GOOD LUCK! Happy learning!

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

The clock's ticking! One hour to go if you're on the west coast!

Otherwise....It's already begun.

Safe Travels!

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Where's the follow-up???

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Uhh Ohh.......

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

I always figured this guy as the bloodthirsty type....



:rofl:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

well, we did it! some valuable lessons learned.

overall, it went pretty well. here were the groundrules we used:

- no water out of spickets: buckets + jugs only

- no use of electricity

- no driving anywhere. we pretended we were land locked

for sure the hardest part was the water groundrules. my wife had an "ah-ha" moment when she realized
on saturday morning that there were no showers available. i think she thought i was going to cave on this
issue, but we stuck to it.

lesson number one: buy one of those portable hanging shower things. we scrubbed up in the shower with water
i had stored ahead in 5 gallon buckets, but in real life, i doubt i'd have these buckets full of water lying around.
i am ordering one of these today from cabelas:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...097&hasJS=true

this can easily be hung in your shower in your house, and you're good to go. i think those of you with wives/girlfriends will earn about 1,000 bonus point should you have one.

lesson number two: assemble things ahead of time. i had a portable gas oven we used to cook, but i waited to assemble it
until we got started on friday night. ran out of sunlight because i waited until after the kids were in bed,
and it really sucked trying to put it together and read instructions by candle light.

if you have a bunch of SHTF gear, and it's not all put together, take a saturday afternoon and do that now!

lesson number three: if you have kids, get activities prepped. "dad, i'm bored" was hear A LOT this weekend. no tv, no movies, no radio, etc. if you have kids, get them some busy activities. i'm going to go buy a box of colors, coloring books, mabye some snap-together models etc. you can only play ball in the yard for so long.

lesson number four: pay attention to what time it is. we had a lot of candles and lantern stuff stored, so we were okay, but i see how this could be a problem. don't wait until 8 at night to start cooking. it's dark then. try to varry your schedule so you get all the important stuff done while it is light. tht way, you can conserve candles and batteries. we plowed through a pile of candles and batteries that could have been easily saved if we had done the important teeth brushing cooking, etc while it was daylight.

lesson number five: laundry. not sure how to fix this one. we had a pile of dirty clothes at the end of the weekend. we had no mechanism to clean them had this little exercie carried on for a week or 2. i have no idea how to address this other than getting a big wash tub or something. ideas anyone?

overall, it was a great experience. we had no other alternative than to hang out with each other, take walks, play with the kids, etc. it was a great bonding experience.

i had tons of candles, fuel, easy cook food, water, etc. prepped, so that wasn't really a problem. the main issue was just keeping everyone busy + entertained.

by far the biggest problem i experienced this weekend was the shower/bath issue. i guess you just never realize how important that is until you don't hae it. i showered for 15 minutes when the exercise was over, i think my wife was in there for upwards of half an hour.

anyway, long story, feel free to ask questions about specific things.

again, go buy a portable shower.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Come on, showers are nice but not even close to critical. After getting up early and showering before work all week I typically don't bother all weekend unless there is something I need to dress up for. Backpacking trips or motorcycling trips I might not shower for a week or more and no big deal - use a little more deodorant if you are worried about offending someone.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

me, i don't care. my wife, another story.

:D

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Funny, I can get my wife to go without a shower without a lot of fuss but if I were to suggest a dry run of TEOTWAWKI it would never fly.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

QWAK,chad, GREAT DRY RUN!!:23_30_104:

Back in 81 I did IT for REAL with a lady and two little girls aged 9 and 6!:yes::36_1_25::4_1_72: About 10 days with only the 4 walls and roof of the cabin, EVERY THING trucked in and NO going back or OUT for more or what was not planed for!

I made a SOLAR SHOWER out of an old TRUCK INNER TUBE, a pipe fitting and a lenth of GARDEN hose!:yes: Put the inner tube on the roof in the sun and with a hand pump filled it with water --- by 5 in the afternoon there was enough HOT WATER for all 4 of us to have a FAST and injoyable SHOWER! :s1:

LIVING FUNKEY with dirty cloths takes some ADAPTING to :yes::36_1_25::111: but IT shure makes ONE APRECIATE having a BATH and CLEAN CLOTHS to ware!:yes::shine::s1:

It is part of WHY I apreciate my HEATED DUCK POND SOoooooooooooo MUCH!:yes::yes::yes:

You had a good ADVENTURE and NEXT time you will build on what you have learned!:23_28_100s::congrats:

the DUCK :15_1_70v:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

:111:QWAK,chad,GOOD THINKING!:yes: To be a GOOD LEADER:yes: one must concider ALL the NEEDS and also understand that it takes time to ADAPT:thinkey: and making ALLOWENCES for what others percieve as ESENCIAL, especialy at FIRST makes the TRANSITION more barable!:yes::shine:

I found it QUITE AMUSING finding a gient CRICKET in the home made PORT A POTTIE :yes::hahaha: the girls and there Mother PERCIEVED it DIFERENTLY!:yes::thumb.aspx: Caused quite an ARGUMENT and COOPERATION suffered DRASTICLY!:yes::36_1_25::shine:

the DUCK :15_1_70v:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

During our 10 day (Ike wind induced) power outage last September, we also missed the convenience of hot showers. I was heating water 2-3 gal at a time over a propane wok burner, and using that hot water for baths. Another option for hot water is a portable propane powered hot water heater/shower thingy:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

After some winter storm related power outages years ago, we switched to propane water heating, because we already had gravity fed spring water. Now, hot showers anytime, electricity or not.

Ya'll can say what you want about not having a shower, but I guarantee being clean will make almost ANY situation seem a whole lot less worse than it is.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Wow, thanks for sharing. That was a great idea.

I would probably just fill the sink with water and use Woolite or liquid laundry detergent and swish the clothes in there for a bit, rinse and then hang them on a clothes line. So a clothes line would come in handy, something I don't have.

The portable shower is also a great idea, especially for those who have city water. We have well water so hopefully we will be okay here. We're also lucky that we have our own propane tank which we use for cooking and heating the house.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Sure sounds like you better plan a bug-out location next to running water.

For harsh winter survival, a wood stove is essential.

Containers to hold water and allow sanitization (chlorine, iodine or other sterilizing means) are very important.

Thanks for the update. It challenges me to try this too. For me, it would be easy... but a family... now there is the challenge.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Great info Chad.

This would have come in handy, eh?
http://www.democratherald.com/dhblog..._washboard.jpg


I must ask: Why didn't you let your kids listen to the radio? I think radios would be ok for your experiment.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Like Heimdhal, we also live in hurricane alley. When Francis and Jeane came through here within two weeks we fared really well. About the only thing that we noticed was something to move the air. I went out and bought 4 - 12v 10 inch fans. Run them off a battery with a 30w solar panel. So far so good. Also added another 100 lbs. of propane to the stash.

I figure we won't be able to stay here more than a month anyway. By then the roads might be passable. Then off to deep cover.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Just thinking out loud. Could you buy a lawn sprayer and have it sitting in the sun to warm up the water. It could act as a shower as well. I would think one person could shower with one tank.

Attachment 69764

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

no particular reason. we just figured if we started with the radio it would invite whining about the television, etc.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Great minds think alike... I thought of that last night when I read this thread but forgot to post it (kids' bed time!)....

Yep, that is exactly what I was thinking... For those not fortunate enough to have free flowing spring water that is!

Dave

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

I have to agree with the sentiment above in regards to hurricane threats. Being that I live in Florida we have to deal with the possibility of loosing utilities for literally weeks at a time. That being said, let me share an experience, three things would have made all of the difference in the world:

1) Showers (already mentioned by Chad)
2) Air FLOW! (Good Lord it is hot and humid in Florida after a hurricane!!! DC fans with solar sounds like a good solution)
3) refrigeration (This is only fixable with either a propane GAS frig or battery/solar backup outside of course generator).

I have a propane GAS frig in my camper but was thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a smaller one in the garage just so we could emtpy the contents of the inside frig in to the propane frig. Naturally, a better solution may be just to get a large propane frig for the house.

Dave

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Does it hook up to the same type of propane tank that you use for a gas grill? I may have to look into this. I didn't know there was such a thing.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Absolutely! You can hookup whatever you want..

Here is a link to some propane full size to small Frig/Freezers for the house : http://www.gas-refrigerators.com/

Here is a small one you can hookup to a small 20lb grill tank :http://www.gas-refrigerators.com/arc...igerators.html

BTW, I just goggled for the above link, I never shopped with them but should give you an idea..

Dave

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

yes they will run off of any propane tank u just have to plumb them appropriately......do some research on RV Frig's ....here is one of many links availible http://www.gas-refrigerators.com/........they are expensive


EDIT: Dave we posted at the same time.....remarkably similar posts LOL

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Haha, you goggled the same :P

Is this where I yell - JINX!!!

Dave

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

BTW, Naturally Propane Gas Frig's are more expensive than electric, BUT they have NO moving parts and will likely out live YOU! Considering that, and their low fuel consumption they make a great candidate for homestead/off grid refrigeration. Honestly, some of the newer models could even do well in your urban/suburban home.

Dave

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

QWAK,A 12 volt water pump and some BLACK GARDEN HOSE and you GOT HOT RUNING WATER --- on SUNNEY DAYS any way.:wink:

One of the SOLAR HEATERS for the DUCK POND is 160' of 1 1/2" BLACK plastic pipe suspended by a 2x4 structure. A small circulating pump keeps the DUCK POND nice and warm in the summer time!:yes:

Probably the best lesson you can learn from your DRY RUNS:yes: is to "GET CREATIVE" and ADAPT what you DO HAVE in NEW WAYS to SUPPLY your NEEDS! :wink::thinkey::yes::shine:

You can NOT posably have PREPS for any and ALL posable situations and TRYING TO will both drive you CRAZY and keep you BROKE and wanting to BUY a lot more stuff!:confused_ma::hahaha::yes:

TRY to SEE things in DIFERENT WAYS:yes: --- WHAT could they DO and how could YOU adapt them to serve more usefull pusposes?:questionm

IMPROVISE -- get CREATIVE :yes: It is the BEST PART of trying to SURVIVE!:thinkey: Because things are HARD your MIND goes in to OVER DRIVE --- just DON'T let IT run away with YOU:36_1_30: and PROJECT in FRUSTRATION and ANGER!:452: Use that EXTRA ENERGY in being CREATIVE ---- BRAIN STORMING!:yes::shine:

You will be AMAISED at what you come up with!:yes::shine:

I believe that LEARNING to IMPROVISE is WAY more IMPORTANT than most of the PREPS I have acumulated and I have been PREPING since 1973!:yes::36_1_25::10_1_19:

the DUCK :15_1_70v:

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Duck,

Great advice on the solar water here... In Florida, we can do almost 100% of our water heating with solar. In fact, it even works in the Winter down here....

By the way, GREAT idea on the DC pump.... I should have thought about that one.

Dave

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

For laundry cleaning, try a 5 gal bucket with a lid. Make a hole in the lid just big enough to fit the handle of a toilet plunger.

Put in a small amount of clothes, water and soap. Run the handle through the lid and secure.

Then plunge away!

Rinse and line-dry.

Re: dry run this fraiday. we're going native
 

Great opportunity to practice wearing a headlamp for hands-free lighting.