Preparedness for Dark Times

SurvivalBlog.com ^ | 5/13/12 | John D.

[Kartographer]

I am a deputy sheriff in Louisiana and patrol primarily on the night shift. A few nights ago my shift was alerted that the main city in our parish was under a complete "black out", meaning a total loss of ALL electricity. The reason for the blackout was unknown but the repercussions were great. The power stayed out for a mere hour and a half, but that was all it took to cause chaos all throughout the city. In this hour and a half multiple shootings occurred, multiple wrecks occurred on the highways and city streets, and multiple stores and businesses were broken into and looted due to security systems malfunctioning. All within that small hour and a half. It really shows how fragile the order in our cities hangs in the balance. People who would probably have been watching television or engaging in other peaceful activities, were gathering in the streets starting fights. All because the lights and tv turned off. Wow. Only a handful of people had nothing to worry about because they were prepared with a few necessities such as: flashlights, food, water, protection (I.e. Rifle, handgun, or shotgun).

[An American!]

This story sounds too convenient...when, where and in what town did this occur? A search through news could not locate the source of this tale.

I learned alot reading through all the prep comments...particularly about eggs and hashbrowns :)

Thank you all for sharing the knowledge!!!

[Still Thinking]

Sounds racist to me, say Maxine Waters.

Yeah, but when EVERYTHING sounds racist, that's the same as NOTHING sounding racist.

[rightly_dividing]

I was cranking all of my gas powered stuff over the weekend and going through the paces on each for a short time and when my generator finally cranked and run and sputtered to a stop, I learned a lesson for future use, keep extra spark plugs on hand. It was no problem then, but after a hurricane with no store open, it would be major. Also, keeping plenty of the proper oil on hand is a good move too.

[The Duke]

Our local prepper group just got together last week and had a world-class presentation on the use of solar energy. Some of the important things learned...

• If you want the option of running when the grid is down you're going to need batteries, and if you expect the batteries to have any life at all they had better be 'deep cycle' batteries.
• If you're in a cloudy/shady environment be sure to get the film-based solar technology. If in bright light then the crystal technology is better.
• If you insist on a "Solar inverter" then you're always guaranteed a high-quality sine-wave output - which is very important.
• Use DC directly from the panels when you can to avoid the inefficiencies associated with conversions.
• Make sure the incline of the solar panels is equal to the latitude of your location in order to get max exposure to the sun.
• A 2 killowatt home system will give you pretty good coverage, but even with a 3 killowatt system don't expect to be able to run a central heating and cooling system (it's a good idea to have one room with an in-window air conditioner).

[FreedomPoster]

That’s a good call on spark plugs. Oil I always have around.

[FreedomPoster]

>>The store bought ones aren’t old. They are just from chickens who have been fed cheap food and bred for volume of eggs.

I’ve been buying some “real” eggs lately from people at farmers markets. They’re about $6/dozen here, and they’re worth it.

[redgolum]

Sounds like my block.

First time I met some of my new neighbors was during a black out.

And we got HAMMERED! Was so much fun, our wives didn’t tell us the power was on till later.

[archy]

The power stayed out for a mere hour and a half, but that was all it took to cause chaos all throughout the city. In this hour and a half multiple shootings occurred, multiple wrecks occurred on the highways and city streets, and multiple stores and businesses were broken into and looted due to security systems malfunctioning. All within that small hour and a half. It really shows how fragile the order in our cities hangs in the balance

We own the night.

[Squantos]

I love Sophie !!

http://www.thalesgroup.com/Portfolio/Defence/LandJoint_Products_Surveillance_Sophie/

[archy]

I love Sophie !!

Which version preferred?

[Squantos]

I have an original of my own yet folks that employ me provide a MF variant or an original like mine. I usually keep the companies original in my vehicle.

You ever get hands on with the trijicon thermal ? I need a trusted review of that gadget.