This triggered two thoughts for me. First, how much of a killer the cold is. We've moved on from "global warming" to "climate change" language but there are a lot of places in the world that would be grateful for a few degree temperature rise (such as Latvia where I am from). Today, cold kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, while "heat deaths" are limited to geriatrics in the "first world." Second, preparedn…
Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
51–60 of 405 posts
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
Minimizing the fact that real humans die from overheating tarnishes an otherwise interesting comment.
And that the advent of climate control (Air Conditioning) have significantly minimized heat deaths and allowed humans to live in climates that would have historically been impossible.
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#53This triggered two thoughts for me. First, how much of a killer the cold is. We've moved on from "global warming" to "climate change" language but there are a lot of places in the world that would be grateful for a few degree temperature rise (such as Latvia where I am from). Today, cold kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, while "heat deaths" are limited to geriatrics in the "first world." Second, preparedn…
Actually started a fire in the chimney and keeping it burning safely for several days can be enlightening (i hesitate to say "fun", except for the children). Try it with someone knowledgeable assisting. Keep fire extinguishers (emphasis on the plural) handy.
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#54This triggered two thoughts for me. First, how much of a killer the cold is. We've moved on from "global warming" to "climate change" language but there are a lot of places in the world that would be grateful for a few degree temperature rise (such as Latvia where I am from). Today, cold kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, while "heat deaths" are limited to geriatrics in the "first world." Second, preparedn…
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#55This triggered two thoughts for me. First, how much of a killer the cold is. We've moved on from "global warming" to "climate change" language but there are a lot of places in the world that would be grateful for a few degree temperature rise (such as Latvia where I am from). Today, cold kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, while "heat deaths" are limited to geriatrics in the "first world." Second, preparedn…
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#56The real story here seems to me to be not that people burned their clothes to stay warm but that people in a place with fragile connections to the outside world had so little in the way of supplies to weather a relatively short period without food deliveries. I'm not blaming them, I assume that many of the affected people don't have the resources to keep a buffer stock.
The real story of every tragedy that hits a reservation is that they all sit downstream of a horrific, orchestrated genocide campaign intended to destroy these people’s history, culture, and knowledge of self-sufficiency. Put ‘em on the shittiest plots of land you can find, steal their children, ban them from speaking their languages and from passing their knowledge between generations, then we can sit and gawk at th…
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#57The real story here seems to me to be not that people burned their clothes to stay warm but that people in a place with fragile connections to the outside world had so little in the way of supplies to weather a relatively short period without food deliveries. I'm not blaming them, I assume that many of the affected people don't have the resources to keep a buffer stock.
From the article, the community has stockpiled resources, but their plows and skidsteers are all out of commission. They literally cannot get to the firewood, and every time they clear some snow out more blows in. Some people have been completely isolated in their homes for 8 days. I'd say most people, even in rural areas, don't have a supply that'll last longer than that, except for some hardcore preppers.
Because i've lived my first ~16 years of life in a home heated with firewood (and coal but it's irellevant now) and by the end of september all the fuel needed for 3 months of winter was neatly piled up within easy reach of the house. All you needed was to shovel like 20 meters of path and maybe a wheelbarrow.
Why would you need something motorized to get to your firewood? Doesn't make sense unless they've never had heavy winters before.
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#58Seems like it would be the last thing I’d burn for warmth…
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#59The real story here seems to me to be not that people burned their clothes to stay warm but that people in a place with fragile connections to the outside world had so little in the way of supplies to weather a relatively short period without food deliveries. I'm not blaming them, I assume that many of the affected people don't have the resources to keep a buffer stock.
From the article, the community has stockpiled resources, but their plows and skidsteers are all out of commission. They literally cannot get to the firewood, and every time they clear some snow out more blows in. Some people have been completely isolated in their homes for 8 days. I'd say most people, even in rural areas, don't have a supply that'll last longer than that, except for some hardcore preppers.
If you haven’t already, I recommend having a supply of canned beans, canned tuna, canned meats to preference, canned sardines, bulk rice (you can drop dry ice in a 5 gallon container and fill it with rice, then put silica packets on top, then seal it). With that, you can eat pretty good limited only by the duration being prepared for, and it is relatively cheap & space efficient.
For water, buy a Sawyer filter. I like the squeeze. They are capable of removing most harmful organisms out of the water, are very portable, and would help a lot during a water supply issue. They do not filter chemicals or dissolved solids. I use mine when backpacking to drink out of just about every fresh water source you can imagine, and I use it when traveling to other countries with questionable water supplies.
Also, do yourself a favor and buy a bidet seat. These will change your life. Not only is it more hygienic, it reduces the use of toilet paper significantly. In the event of disaster but water is still flowing, that is one less thing to think about.
For warmth, have the layers available. A wool base layer can keep you warm in even the coldest climates. Do not use cotton; cotton is deadly when wet in cold. Wool insulates even when wet — this is commonly known but I have actually tested it with wool socks walking around in the Virgin river in Zion National Park during the height of winter, among other places. Also would want an insulated windbreaker that can be removed as needed. Warm clothing / blankets / etc is more reliable than a fuel source for heating in my opinion, because you could get snowed in and cut off from the fuel.
These are not actions reserved for just preppers. I think everyone should have this kind of basic readiness on some level. No one in the US, for instance, has any excuse because it is all very very affordable, and also contribute positively to the environment in the case of a bidet seat.
If I was in the position most of you are in (I have opted out of the housing market for ethical reasons), I’d also be powered mostly via solar and a 3 day reserve battery for the house. Expensive, but worth it. All my heating and cooling would be electrical and I would have an inductive stovetop. Everything electrified. It is a privilege to have that kind of prep but it has a dual purpose of not hurting the environment.
When I am in the wild, I do not like to carry anything that is singular purpose. Everything must have multiple uses. This reduces waste and increases efficiency in many ways. Likewise, for disaster readiness, you need to tweak the way you live normally to be efficient during disaster. A bidet seat, for instance, is a good example. This makes your life more efficient, more comfortable, and reduces waste. Simultaneously, it functions much better during disaster.
Food storage can also be done similarly. Store things you would actually eat but preserve well. Rotate the storage by actually using it; this lets you keep track of what is still good and integrates it into your diet realistically.
Water filters can be used while hiking. Use them. Go on a hike and take a drink from your rivers or lakes. It is refreshing. If your rivers and lakes have dangerous chemicals dissolved in it because of human activity, don’t you think something should be done about that?
Aim for at least dual purpose in things. Readiness should function without the survival aspect and flow into survival without friction.
Re: Thousands trapped on Pine Ridge burn clothes for warmth in wake of storm
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
The real story of every tragedy that hits a reservation is that they all sit downstream of a horrific, orchestrated genocide campaign intended to destroy these people’s history, culture, and knowledge of self-sufficiency. Put ‘em on the shittiest plots of land you can find, steal their children, ban them from speaking their languages and from passing their knowledge between generations, then we can sit and gawk at th…
Yes, why aren't these people self sufficient after we took away all their means of self sufficiency? It's a real big mystery isn't it.
This sounds very much like "racism of low expectations". "These people" are just as self-sufficient as any other group of modern people of similar socioeconomic background. It's been 100+ years since they were mistreated in any serious fashion.
I come from eastern Europe and 150 years ago most of my ancestors were serfs, only a rung or two above chattel slaves on the ladder of human condition. If someone seriously suggested that well, what do you expect of these poor chaps, serfdom and all, I think I'd get quite upset.
Just food for thought about how both your phrasing and implications of what you're saying might seem to people who aren't from your background.