3 Layers of 72 Hour Preparedness

TheSurvivalMom blog ^ | July 17, 2009 | TheSurvivalMom

[SJSAMPLE]

Milk containers are flimsy and break down.
They’ll work in the short term, but you need to wash and disinfect them with water and about 1tsp of bleach.
Let set for a day, rinse repeatedly and refill.

Go with something more durable, including containers specifically made for water storage.

Definitely have non-potable reserves.
I plan on using the 600gallon kiddie pool.

[alarm rider]

Thanks for posting this.

I have a question which someone might be able to answer:

For water that is stored at home, is it better to use distilled water, spring water, or just plain tap water?

I am chiefly concerned with shelf life.

Thanks,
AR

[oldenuff2no]

Being retired military I've seen the refugee situation many times. I've seen these desperate people kill and steal anything they can to survive. It’ not nice, but it is the reality most of the time.
That brings me to my post. I live out in the sticks, not in a city. My entire home is set up to sustain my family and our animals. My home was built with armed defense in mind. I am not susceptible to fire, land slides, and am as earthquake proof as I could make it. But even if the house goes temporary shelters are readily available. I have my own power, water, stored food, garden, and slaughter animals.
I won't be in a sharing mood, I have set up to provide for my family not yours or anyone else's.
So in this beg emergency where are all the city folks planning on going? To put it bluntly, they ain't coming here!!!!! I may fire up the backhoe and dig a big hole in the north 40 for those who insist, but nothing here is for them no matter what their state.
Most of my friends are set up in about the same way. People who chose to live in the cities that have a very limited food and water supply are going to have problems if something big happens, but it is their problem not mine.
If the logistics that supply the cities totally fail most of those people will need more than three days of supplies just to get out of the city. On the fourth day they will be refugees without food, or water, and the locals are going to tell them to just keep moving because there is nothing there for them.
I've seen this scenario repeated many times all over the world. People really need to take a hard look at where they are and what they will need to survive in a prolonged emergency.

[mmichaels1970]

Thanks both for the advice. I’ll check out the website and look more into specially designed storage containers. Maybe supplement that with the jugs for vehicle and shorter-term storage.

[SJSAMPLE]

There’s even a water container (a “blivet”) designed to fit inside the bathtub.

You put it in the tup, open the nozzle and let the water pour inside. It will confirm to the shape of the tub and hold as much as your tub, but in a much more sanitary manner.

[SJSAMPLE]

Any of them will work, but you may want to induce a mild “shock” to the water (bleach) before storage, sanitizing both the water AND the container.

[DTA]

IMHO, this article is good only as a food for thought to make you make your own survival kit(s)

I believe that we have an avesome knowledge pool here on FR
and instead of amateur play should gather advice from the people who know what works and what does not.

I see essentially for scenarios, winter/all seasons and urban/country.Let’s call kits FRUW (FreeperUrbanWinter), FRUA (urban all season) FRCW, FRCA.

Idea is that winter kit is made by winterizing all-season kit.

What I would add to the kit:

1. inconspicuos looking light duffle bag with large ziploc bags for organizing contents and waterproofing packaged in such a fashion to be used as a cushion.

2. Zippo ligher, fuel and hand warmer

3. crank LED flashlight

5. “space blanket”

6. universal tool (leatherman or similar)

7. 3 cans of tuna or sardines in oil (one can = one day energy supply) and crackers.

8. 6 x 2oz chocolate bars for energy and depresion self-medication

9. bandages and liquid bandage

10. Cash in the pockets, and extra cash and credit card hidden in a duffle bag and in the clothes.

11. toilet kit that can be used if there is no water

[alarm rider]

Thanks for the information.

In your opinion, if we chose unopened distilled water, do you think it would keep for a long period of time?

Thanks,
AR

[SJSAMPLE]

Yes.
Water doesn’t break down and will remain potable for indefinite periods, provided it’s kept in a sterile container.

Keep it in a cool, dark place.
It may taste “stale” after years of storage, but should be fine.

[Syntyr]

and a

[ChocChipCookie]

How do you store yours, Appy?

[AppyPappy]

Hanging from a coat hanger in the closet.

[6323cd]

Can I simply rinse and reuse gallon milk containers?

Trust me, you can't. No matter how much you rinse and scrub the place where the bottle top twists on, you can't get rid of the milk odor and it will make your water smell awful. Most health-food stores sell food-grade plastic one-gallon jugs, get some of those instead.

[appleseed]

Thanks for the heads up.

Had a flood last year that got too close for comfort grabbed the boys, the BOB and some firearms and hit the road in a hurry.

Thanks Cookie for posting. Excellent info.!

Self Reliant/Survivalist Ping List

[radiohead]

The individual packs sound like a good idea bump, my little survivalist. Maybe we should think of a tent as well.

[redhead]

Bump...

[alarm rider]

Thanks,

We will go with that.

Regards,
AR

[stevio]

True, but let’s keep that just between Freepers. In case we overlook something.

[driftdiver]

Don’t count on using swimming pool water as a potable source. Its not safe to drink due to all the chemicals that put into swimming pools.

Safe for cleaning and other things besides food.

[SJSAMPLE]

You didn’t see the part where I said “non-potable” reserves”? ;)

The chlorine in a pool, if not left do dissipate, will harm your kidneys.
Sunlight will break down chlorine to safe levels, eventually, but then you’ve got other stuff to worry about by then.