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Who SURVIVED the BLACKOUT???
- Thread starter Gadget54
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2000
- Messages
- 549
Me?
All went BETTER than planned, with 2 pieces of luck
1)The subway train I was in was actually in the station - it would have been a bear if it wasn't
2)1/3rd of the way home (15 mile hike) I got a lift. Other than that, the only "Oh No" was the fact I realized my OVEN doesn't work without power. I remembered the stove top did not in my plans, but it can be lit with a match - the oven cycles OFF, and there is no electronic restart, or electronics to the valve. Didn't hurt in a short backup, and I can always bake in the backyard BBQ, but, it was a lesson learned
All went BETTER than planned, with 2 pieces of luck
1)The subway train I was in was actually in the station - it would have been a bear if it wasn't
2)1/3rd of the way home (15 mile hike) I got a lift. Other than that, the only "Oh No" was the fact I realized my OVEN doesn't work without power. I remembered the stove top did not in my plans, but it can be lit with a match - the oven cycles OFF, and there is no electronic restart, or electronics to the valve. Didn't hurt in a short backup, and I can always bake in the backyard BBQ, but, it was a lesson learned
i survived the blackout, the power outage stopped a few miles north of my house. so i sat around watching on sat. tv. as the folks in the towns north of me emptied their freezers for the second time in a month, as there was a tornado that took power out for about 5 days earlier in july.
alex
alex
I was at work getting ready to leave when, BANG! Lights went out and emergency generator went on! My wife was at home with my daughters and they were good with everything. I always make sure when the Deer Park guy comes with the delivary to get five 5 gallon jugs of water. At one time my wife thought it was a waste of money, But after the black out, Not no more!The one thing that is needed! WATER!
We keep lots of cereal and can stuff. Extra Batteries,flash lights and candles. And God will provide the rest!
We keep lots of cereal and can stuff. Extra Batteries,flash lights and candles. And God will provide the rest!
I survived the blackout.
Here is what I had that worked.
Swisschamp + multitool
What I had: Flashlights. 3-D cell Mag Lite, 2 AA converted LED Maglite. 3 LED camp light. Coleman Dual Fule powerhouse lantern.
What I didn't have: Candles and fuel for my coleman lantern.
What I had: Bottled water- 5 gallons. 10 bottles of sportdrinks (like gaterade)
What I didn't have: Water filter. So when the 5 gallons was gone, it was gone.
What I had: non-perishable food
What I didn't have: enough non-perishable food. Had plenty of pasta,
What I had: Cell phone
What I didn't have: walkie talkies
What I learned is that there needs to be an large emergency stash for surviving in a powerless city. In addition a smaller portable kit needs to be developed.
This means that everything has to be as light and powerful as possible.
Since then, I have bought 3 katadyn water filters. 1 pocket model and 2 Combi models. The combis are going to be mounted in the kitchen and powered by the faucet. The pocket model is going in the BOB. The 2nd combi is a backup.
I want to get a portable solar powered battery charger.
Two things that I wish I had but didn't include:
Mosquito nets and many gallons of GAS!
Here is what I had that worked.
Swisschamp + multitool
What I had: Flashlights. 3-D cell Mag Lite, 2 AA converted LED Maglite. 3 LED camp light. Coleman Dual Fule powerhouse lantern.
What I didn't have: Candles and fuel for my coleman lantern.
What I had: Bottled water- 5 gallons. 10 bottles of sportdrinks (like gaterade)
What I didn't have: Water filter. So when the 5 gallons was gone, it was gone.
What I had: non-perishable food
What I didn't have: enough non-perishable food. Had plenty of pasta,
What I had: Cell phone
What I didn't have: walkie talkies
What I learned is that there needs to be an large emergency stash for surviving in a powerless city. In addition a smaller portable kit needs to be developed.
This means that everything has to be as light and powerful as possible.
Since then, I have bought 3 katadyn water filters. 1 pocket model and 2 Combi models. The combis are going to be mounted in the kitchen and powered by the faucet. The pocket model is going in the BOB. The 2nd combi is a backup.
I want to get a portable solar powered battery charger.
Two things that I wish I had but didn't include:
Mosquito nets and many gallons of GAS!
Hotrod,
The Emergency generator the Hospital has is a GenServ. What the power of the unit is, I have not a clue. But it is a pretty big unit. I know we were able to sustain power in the Hospital for 8 Days! Good thing we did not have to do so. We got power back the next Day 8:30 a.m..
The Emergency generator the Hospital has is a GenServ. What the power of the unit is, I have not a clue. But it is a pretty big unit. I know we were able to sustain power in the Hospital for 8 Days! Good thing we did not have to do so. We got power back the next Day 8:30 a.m..
by law, hospitals are required to be hooked to emergency power, at our local hospital we can run for about 20 days on the onsite fuel, if we have to heat the building then the fuel consumption goes up, but the trucking company that is about 150 yards away has promised us all the fuel that they have in their underground tanks, so we can run a long time on the two 10,000 gal tanks they have also. the generator is a diesel, caterpiller that runs once a week, to keep it lubed, the fuel on site is is run through multiple filters a couple times a year to keep it fresh. it will run about 70% of the hospital as needed, and powers all critical functions.
at home i have a winco 10.,000 watt trifuel, runs the whole house without difficulty, including the well pump and the freezer, furnaces, and lights etc. i have a manual hookup to the breaker panel, and an electric start generator, so all that needs to happen is to wheel it outside, conect up the cable, start the generator and flip the breakers. and the lights go on.
alex
at home i have a winco 10.,000 watt trifuel, runs the whole house without difficulty, including the well pump and the freezer, furnaces, and lights etc. i have a manual hookup to the breaker panel, and an electric start generator, so all that needs to happen is to wheel it outside, conect up the cable, start the generator and flip the breakers. and the lights go on.
alex
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2000
- Messages
- 234
Not to diminish the difficulties that people encountered during the blackout but I had an amazing stroke of luck -- I had Thurs. Off! Then the blackout resulted in a "State of Emergency" declaration for Fri: 4 day weekend!
I'm not sure how I would've got home had I been working since I live outside the city and work downtown. Public transit literally came to a standstill.
I found that people who had converted to cordless phones at home simply couldn't be reached. Only those with the old-style corded phones were able to make/receive calls.
All of my Photons came in EXTREMELY handy.
After hearing of the tremedous distances some people walked (partly in the dark of night)I've decided to modify my BOB around four priciples:
A)It must be lightweight,
B)Able to be carried without fuss (keep two hands free)
C)Inconspicous (for walking through iffy neighborhoods)
D)Able to support me to a certain extent assuming I survive the initial disaster (terrorist, blackout, earthquake)
I've decided to add a small AAA powered "jogging" radio and Gatorade powder (extra energy for the extra distances) to my BOB. I already have a SAK as EDC so I'll add a larger lightweight folder--Spyderco?--(for self defence/survial) to my bag that I'll take out and clip to my pants before beginning my 'journey'.
I've heard some say that there is no need for small bandages etc. in a first aid kit -- ask someone who has walked 20+ miles in dress shoes; I'll be adding small-wound and blister care type items to my kit.
Still debating if I could carry a small, light crowbar.
I'm not sure how I would've got home had I been working since I live outside the city and work downtown. Public transit literally came to a standstill.
I found that people who had converted to cordless phones at home simply couldn't be reached. Only those with the old-style corded phones were able to make/receive calls.
All of my Photons came in EXTREMELY handy.
After hearing of the tremedous distances some people walked (partly in the dark of night)I've decided to modify my BOB around four priciples:
A)It must be lightweight,
B)Able to be carried without fuss (keep two hands free)
C)Inconspicous (for walking through iffy neighborhoods)
D)Able to support me to a certain extent assuming I survive the initial disaster (terrorist, blackout, earthquake)
I've decided to add a small AAA powered "jogging" radio and Gatorade powder (extra energy for the extra distances) to my BOB. I already have a SAK as EDC so I'll add a larger lightweight folder--Spyderco?--(for self defence/survial) to my bag that I'll take out and clip to my pants before beginning my 'journey'.
I've heard some say that there is no need for small bandages etc. in a first aid kit -- ask someone who has walked 20+ miles in dress shoes; I'll be adding small-wound and blister care type items to my kit.
Still debating if I could carry a small, light crowbar.
Sounds like Water and batteries. I have heard that you can shut the water off at the point it comes into the house, assuming you live in a house, and then drain from the water heater into containers. Anyone ever gone this far? As for emergency water I live two houses from the neighborhood 1/2 acre pond. With a few ways to filter I'll be Ok.
Any Block watches?
How about Comunication? My neighbors and I all seem to have the FRS radios. It wouldn't take much to convince them to switch to an emergency channel, say 9, like on CB. I also have the Ham radio.
Great info. We all wonder how are preparations can be improved then such a learning experience happens.
Gadget54
Any Block watches?
How about Comunication? My neighbors and I all seem to have the FRS radios. It wouldn't take much to convince them to switch to an emergency channel, say 9, like on CB. I also have the Ham radio.
Great info. We all wonder how are preparations can be improved then such a learning experience happens.
Gadget54
Listening to the news now and they said it took just nine seconds for everyone to lose power and be effected! WOW!!
I was south of the power outage by 20minutes. I was watching the TV when they started reporting and getting reports. As soon as I heard it was in OHIO I went ot the Gas station filled it up took out $300.00 cash and went to the store to make sure I had enough.
Worked out as a great excuse to get the Lantern that I have been eyeing!
Gadget54
I was south of the power outage by 20minutes. I was watching the TV when they started reporting and getting reports. As soon as I heard it was in OHIO I went ot the Gas station filled it up took out $300.00 cash and went to the store to make sure I had enough.
Worked out as a great excuse to get the Lantern that I have been eyeing!
Gadget54
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
- Messages
- 747
Hey Guys!
Like most everyone else, I've got this tendency to want to carry enough stuff to cover all the "what if's", and you've made me realize that that is simply not possible. Having a lightweight bag is critical, as is having plenty of water. I think that carrying a water filter is as important as my Glock for such conditions.
One thing that I would like to stress to all you city folks is that you aren't gonna walk 20 miles on pavement in dress shoes.(At least not without a significant amount of pain!) Get a good pair of lightweight hiking boots, and wear them around until they are well broken in. Then stash them in your office along with a couple of pairs of thick wool socks. They'll be priceless to you if you have to walk a long distance.
Defense may well be a primary concern too. For those of you living behind the iron curtain (and therefore being unable to carry a handgun), here are a couple of possible alternatives: ( Albethem far less efficient)- First, get a Surefire handheld tactical light. Most personal attacks occur in low light, and with one of these you can blind an attacker long enough to take him out. Second, if you plan on carrying a folding knife for defense, get some training from a qualified instructer. Knife fighting is a hideous thing, even with training. For the untrained, it is simply slaughter. Third, I'd recommend carrying around a 4-5' long walking stick. Find a martial arts school (dojo) that trains in combat, rather than sport fighting. Ask the instructer to teach you how to use a weapon called a jo (pronounced joe), which is a big stick about 4' long. With a bit of training and practice, you can really mess someone up with one. Finally, get some Fox Labs pepper spray, and get some instruction in using it. The Fox stuff is by far the most effective on the market - either civilian or law enforcement. It is some good stuff. This and a Surefire together can be pretty useful. For home defense, it's hard to beat a 12 gauge pump.
Thanks to all for helping me refocus on keeping it light. I always want to carry too much stuff! Good thread!
Like most everyone else, I've got this tendency to want to carry enough stuff to cover all the "what if's", and you've made me realize that that is simply not possible. Having a lightweight bag is critical, as is having plenty of water. I think that carrying a water filter is as important as my Glock for such conditions.
One thing that I would like to stress to all you city folks is that you aren't gonna walk 20 miles on pavement in dress shoes.(At least not without a significant amount of pain!) Get a good pair of lightweight hiking boots, and wear them around until they are well broken in. Then stash them in your office along with a couple of pairs of thick wool socks. They'll be priceless to you if you have to walk a long distance.
Defense may well be a primary concern too. For those of you living behind the iron curtain (and therefore being unable to carry a handgun), here are a couple of possible alternatives: ( Albethem far less efficient)- First, get a Surefire handheld tactical light. Most personal attacks occur in low light, and with one of these you can blind an attacker long enough to take him out. Second, if you plan on carrying a folding knife for defense, get some training from a qualified instructer. Knife fighting is a hideous thing, even with training. For the untrained, it is simply slaughter. Third, I'd recommend carrying around a 4-5' long walking stick. Find a martial arts school (dojo) that trains in combat, rather than sport fighting. Ask the instructer to teach you how to use a weapon called a jo (pronounced joe), which is a big stick about 4' long. With a bit of training and practice, you can really mess someone up with one. Finally, get some Fox Labs pepper spray, and get some instruction in using it. The Fox stuff is by far the most effective on the market - either civilian or law enforcement. It is some good stuff. This and a Surefire together can be pretty useful. For home defense, it's hard to beat a 12 gauge pump.
Thanks to all for helping me refocus on keeping it light. I always want to carry too much stuff! Good thread!