SHTF: BBC Threads Nuclear War

Originally called a "docudrama" the UK movie "Threads" was released in 1984, a few months after the U.S. ABC Made for TV movie "The Day After". Both movies featured a fictional nuclear war event.

The story takes place in Sheffield, England in summer 1984. A short war between NATO and the Soviet Union breaks out over Iran. As it heats up, a few nuclear devices are used which quickly escalates into total nuclear war.

There are three sub plots in Threads;

A young woman who is expecting a baby and who lives with her parents.

Her boyfriend, who also lives with his family in another location of the city.

The town mayor and his staff who try to prepare the city for the possibility of a nuclear attack.

All of this takes place against the backdrop of Sheffield as the tension builds.

Stores run short on food as shoppers flock at the last minute to stock up. Some residents try to leave town for other parts of the country but find the roads closed off to "official business" only. Meanwhile, other residents spend their time protesting with the nuclear freeze movement hoping to avert a war.

When the attack comes, the young man's family tries to improvise a fallout shelter in the kitchen out of doors and mattresses. The young woman's family on the other hand, appears to have planned ahead and has a basement with some supplies prepositioned.

The mayor and staff have burrowed themselves in the basement of city hall in an emergency planning shelter with generator and supplies, hoping to coordinate efforts from this location.

The attack itself is ugly, probably the most graphic of all the nuclear movies of the time period. Two bombs are dropped on and near Sheffield. Thousands of citizens die horrifically while burning alive or from the blasts and the city is also heavily damaged. Several key characters die or disappear at this point leaving us with a core group of survivors for the remainder of the film.

The mayor and staff are trapped in the basement and while trying to get out, manage the efforts of their teams above. The job is daunting as there are thousands of dead, dying and injured above with little hope of help. This executive leadership team has little preparation or training and quickly find themselves and their efforts overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, after the death of a family member, the young woman leaves the basement shelter in search of her boyfriend and we get a view of the world outside. The destruction is everywhere and overwhelming. The scene at the hospital is particularly disturbing as the medical resources of the city are strained and no where near the level needed to cope with the injured.

The young man's family meanwhile, is left with only two members remaining and both have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation from the blast and fallout. They lay in their partially demolished home awaiting death which is slow and agonizing.

Dialog nearly stops at this point as the actors speak less and less as the situation envelopes them. The cold, the lack of water and food, the constant wandering search for shelter and the next meal. One by one, the characters die off from the effects of the war and the dark future ahead.

The movie ends thirteen years after it started with the daughter of the young woman now a teenager. She lives in a bleak, cold world. Ignorant and furtive, homeless and forever living from one hardship to the next.

Throughout the film, there are narratives describing scenes which can not be explained by the participants. There are also ongoing radio announcements from the government attempting to prepare the city for war ("The best place to be, is at home. Stay there.").

There are defining moments, such as when the family moves the dead grandmother outside of the shelter and covers the body with a blanket. They follow the rules given by the government for the disposal of the body but do so with guilty embarrassment as if they are worried the neighbors may see them. Afterwards, the scurry back down to the basement to hide once again, with no plan whatsoever as to what they will do when their food runs out.

There was much criticism when Threads was released and which is still relevant today.

The movie was largely the work of writers sympathetic to the anti-nuclear movement. Many are of the opinion that the film maker made Threads as graphic as possible to drum up support for the nuclear freeze movement in the UK and Europe during the early 80's.

Also, some of the possibilities described have been questions, such as nuclear winter resulting from the attack and the effect of fallout on the population. These matters can be argued by others elsewhere, here is what I learned.

- Being in the city is the worse place to be in a nuclear attack. Too many people, not enough food, not enough room between you and someone who wants your stuff.

- You can never stock up too soon and too much. Within a week of the nuclear attack, people are starving. Food became the new money. People fight over crusts of bread, a handful of grain and even rats.

- Having a basement or fallout shelter beforehand is a good thing. Trying to make a shelter at the last minute is dumb.

- Guns keep bad guys away. In the UK, most people do not own guns. Result - bad guys get to take what they want from you. Including your food.

- Have somewhere to go. One character spends the rest of her life living in abandoned sheds and barns. Not fun.

- The country is great to escape to if you have a farm and home. If you are wandering from place to place, the country is just a big, empty place to die.

- The government, for lack of resources and due to the sheer magnitude of their job, will not help you in this scenario. Don't plan on it.

- Did I mention food? Get lots now. Don't wait until it is too late.

Check Threads out for a sobering view of nuclear war and what can happen. It can be viewed on YouTube in its entirety.



Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak

Prepare: Die with Dignity

Buried in that 1000 page mess of a "health care" bill are a number of encouragements for our medical community to address the concept of "Death With Dignity" for those who are terminally ill or aged.

Someone countered the indignation about Death With Dignity as meaning "we need to let those that are both aged and terminally ill what options are available to them".

There are only two options available to older, terminally ill patients.

Option One - "Doc, I don't want to take any more of that medicine, or have chemotherapy or undergo another operation. I think I will just let nature take its course and have at it".

Option Two - I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

- Excerpt from the Modern Hippocratic Oath. Read the whole thing as well as the original. There is no place in either for euthanasia, assisted suicide or death on demand.

That's it. There are no other options. Either the patient wants to stop treatment or the doctor continues to do all in his power to provide treatment.

These were the rules before the government "stepped in it" just a generation ago and before the insurance companies waded in to make a mess.

Now about that Death With Dignity stuff..

Here, let me translate that from NewSpeak for you - Death with Dignity is the suggestion that doctors discuss with their patients that they accept their condition and go and die sooner rather than later, (also before running up costs for others to pay).

[I am sure there will be future legislation with the terms "mandatory" and "assisted" included as well].

As my wife said last night, "It seems more and more like they are readying us for Soylent Green"

After Chuck Heston watches Edward G. Robinson become a Human Happy Meal he comes to the conclusion..



Hungry yet?

With California, courtesy of the Feds, turning off water to many of the prime food producing areas in Southern California, we may be heading to the Soylent Supermarket sooner rather than later. With the drought in California worsening, perhaps they want us to start eating off the excess population?

We also have the Feds wanting to tax soda pop to raise money for "non insured health insurance". Funny how economics works. If you raise the price on something through artificial means (taxes, fees, etc), demand drops and with it, revenue.

Last night on ABC Nightline, they began the propoganda prep for "national food guidelines for healthy eating". They made the point that certain salty and fatty foods were addictive. Observation: It's not your fault you are fat, you are addicted. And, the Feds should regulate those bad food, like liquor and tobacco, because it will be good for you. I can't make this stuff up.

Ready to give up? Good. That's their plan. Overwhelm us with so much garbage we become depressed, complacent and docile.

No thanks. We are stopping them now. We are on to their plan. I don't care about the politics or the talking heads, I care about the results.

I don't want to live in an overly regulated safe world which encourages me to wear a helmet and pads just to take a walk outside. I don't want to live in a world which forces me to sign a waiver to mow my own lawn. I don't want to live in a world which demands I eat a certain amount of tofu and forbids me cooking meat on my grill out back.

So I will resist. Remember that concept? Resist. Say no. Refuse to go along. Be difficult.

We will win. They are too fat, bloated, full of self importance and delusion to change us now. Get busy, get to work.

SHTF: Minimum housing, Minimum wage, minimum life next

Couple of things ran across the radar this AM.

First, this article about this boarding house in Seattle with a new concept. Tiny apartment homes with shared kitchens and laundry facilities. The actual rooms are as small as fifty square feet. How cute.

Except when you realize how many of those in charge, (and who get paid lots of tax dollars and non-profit money), think this should be the ultimate destiny for all of us little ants and bees here in the U.S.. Everyone should embrace this small is better philosophy.

I can see their version of the future...

Imagine happy workers in their snug little one room homes with two sets of clothes, (two pairs of khaki pants and two blue shirts), a municipal bus pass and a secure job at the department of Coffee and Soy Burger Production.

Mandatory educational hours twice a week learning about subjects like "The Carbon Impact of Human Existence on Earth" and "The Progressive Values of Alternate Cultures Compared to the Failures of the Western World Belief System".

Good medical care provided by USCare and USPharm. Advocates praise the decrease in life expectancy among Americans to the "sustainable level" of 59 years of age. As their productivity drops, those seasoned members of society should be encouraged to Die With Dignity.

How about that big bump in the Minimum Wage today?

Yesterday the serfs earned $6.55 an hour. Today they can look forward to $7.55 and increased dollars to spend freely on big screen televisions, video games, new fuel efficient cars from GM and fast food. One economist praised this potential infusion of $5.5 billion into the economy as a "shot in the arm".

Forget that businesses are suffering and laying off employees, reducing hours and closing their doors. Mandatory government wage increases mean nothing if there are no jobs.

This minimum wage increase will definitely turn things around. It reminds me of those incredible crop predictions of the old Soviet Union. Prosperity for all!

Never forget that this is all part of the plan for us little people. 99% of the population going to our minimum wage government jobs moving park benches and painting the local Diversity Center. Living in crammed rabbit warrens eating soy mush and bean surprise. Children limited to one per couple once they pass their Child Licensing Test. Vast areas of suburbs, rural areas and wilderness off-limits to the masses and only available for the enjoyment of the Elders and Watchers assigned over us.

Peace and Tranquility upon you!

Bah. It won't work and it won't last. These brainiacs seem to forget we are human beings. Individuals with spirit, drive and determination. We refuse to climb into our pigeon holes and chase the cheese around the maze. We stubbornly cling to our antiquated religions and self preservation.

As individuals we want to make more money than we did last year. We want to live in the home of our own liking whether it be a two bedroom apartment downtown or five acres in rural Idaho. We may want to have no children or ten.

We may wish to pursue eight years of college, four years of technical school or simply avoid school and recycle discards found on the side of the road. Simply put, individuals fail to comply with Big Brothers Five Year Plan. And they hate us, but we have an advantage they don't.

We move faster. We are more nimble. Their bloated carcass can hardly get out of bed in the morning without a poll, focus group and consensus. We win in the end. They lose and go extinct.

In the meantime, you need to get ready. This is a marathon, not a race. We need to be prepared for the trying times over the next two years or so. The economy is not growing and cannot keep up with the spending. The collapse is inevitable. You must prepare for your family and friends. The usual; food, fuel, water, space.

We will persevere. We will overcome. We will survive.

Prepare: crop failure, colder weather and food shortages coming this fall

Yesterday, I wrote at length about job and credit survival. I forgot to mention two parts of the unemployment disaster that the Guv and others are not talking about.

First, many people I know are accepting big pay cuts to stay employed. We are talking about 10 and 20 percent across the top pay cuts. Yes, these people will be cutting back in their expenses no doubt. But what about the amount of money they contribute to savings and retirement? That will go down. And the amount of money to pay down debt? That will go down as well. Forget about additional shopping, these people will be fighting to keep their homes and cars.

Next, the forced furlough. The boss orders everyone to take a week or two of unpaid leave. This are happening everywhere and of course, our friends in the government and press are keeping hush about it. Many companies are shutting their doors for one week to one month this summer and not paying employees all the while. What's the effect of that little action?

On to today..

Weather in the Midwest, Northwest and West is colder than expected. Many parts of the country have not gotten out of the 80's this summer. This has affected crop production with corn futures on the rise.

Add to this the demand for corn for ethanol which reduces the amount of the limited crop available for food, both for people and animals.

Finally, throw in new regulation both for water and proposals for greenhouse gas reductions all of which will hit the agricultural sector particularly hard.

Net result? Higher food prices followed by potential food shortages. Where? Overseas? Nope, right here at home.

It gets better. When supplies shrink and demand stays the same, prices go up. Add to that little scenario 10 to 15% expected unemployment and we have hungry people unable to purchase higher priced food.

What a mess.

What can you do now?

If it were me, I would lay in a stock of basic foodstuffs now. That means big bags of beans, rice, flour, sugar, salt, jugs of cooking oil and plenty of spices. I would also look at cases of canned goods like vegetables, fruit and meat.

Next, I would purchase as much fresh fruit (its all on sale right now) and get busy dehydrating and canning.

Then I would pick up some big packs of meat. Freeze it, dry it or can it as well.

A garden can produce in the winter, but not tomatoes or corn. Garlic, onions and potatoes can be grown though.

Stop eating fast food. Save that money for real food.

Stop making little trips to the grocers. Make big, fill-the-cart trips once a week. Load up on staples now.

Start exercising. The unhealthy may not make it to next year.

How did it get to this?

We put our food into our fuel. We took good land and turned it back over to nature. We penalized farmers for water and fuel use. We considered taxing cows and pigs because they produce methane. We have junk food so cheap nobody raises their own natural food. We crammed millions into cities to control them, but failed to allow for urban food production.

A hundred years ago, chickens walked around New York City. People had vegetable gardens in their backyards in Boston. Barns and cows were common in Dallas.

But not anymore. We have turned people into bees and ants. Scrambling around inside of a controlled colony to serve the king and queen bugs who sit in the center of the hive in DC and NY. We slave for the equivalent of three days and die. Food for the colony. On to the next generation.

It won't last.

As always, remain optimistic, faithful and full of hope. We have been preparing for this for years. We will persevere.

Get ready. Be watchful. And get to work.

Prepare: Job and Credit Survival

Some may ask, "Where have you been? Why no posts for the last week or so?". Others probably did not notice; most have thier own problems these days and spending time reading blogs is not on the To-Do list.

First, the unemployment numbers keep going up. It's "officially" over 10 percent nationwide, with many states reporting double digits in the high teens, such as Michigan, California, Oregon and others.

The layoffs are continuing across the country and they will keep up until the balance sheets look good enough to see stocks rise. "See, everything is swell now".

Let's get back to reality. Layoffs will continue. Stop clinging to the idea that your job is "safe and secure". And it's not just private enterprise. Cities and states are running out of money that means that those teachers, cops, firemen and yes bureaucrats are going to start getting let go too.

What's worse is that many jobs are not coming back. Sure we have been losing manufacturing jobs for years, but add to that jobs in finance, insurance, and services are going bye-bye now too. With the current shenanigans going on in DC, don't expect there to be an uptick which creates new jobs and industries any time soon.

Even the Chairman of the Fed says that this will continue until 2011 or longer.

What are these people thinking?

Let's add to that the financial industry. Your credit cards, car loans and mortgages. Some of these companies have their heads on straight. They are working with their customer to find a way for them to keep their home and car anyway possible. I applaud those companies.

The credit card companies are in La-La Land. For customers falling behind on their "minimum payments" they are raising their interest rates. We are talking 18 - 24 percent interest rates. The worse car loan I ever had as a young man was 9.5 percent. Credit card interest at 24 percent? How do they expect anyone to pay that back?

And what's more, the credit card companies are moving quickly to charge off accounts and send them to law firms for collection. Great. What's next? Loan sharks breaking legs?

Have you ever spoken with a credit card company before? If you have a balance, they ask how much can you pay right now. They offer a free "check by phone". All we need is the past due amount of $3214.92, please. Can we set that up today? Sure, let me go sell a kidney and I will get back to you.

Then they have the nerve to ask, "Do you have a friend or relative you can get the money from? Or do you have retirement you can borrow against?". Sure, why don't I rent out my children for hard labor. I will get that money to you right away. The credit card companies will be asking for debtors prisons in the next session of Congress mark my words.

Hey credit card companies! How about you eat the late charges, over limit fees and lower your interest rates to single digits? Didn't think so.

These are the same companies who received huge loans and payouts from TARP courtesy of me and you. Granted, some refused loans and others paid them back, but where was our loan or rescue money?

Speaking of which, I don't want charity - let me keep some of what I earned in the form of tax relief. How about we freeze income taxes and tax withholding for one year. Guess what? Spending like you have never seen before.

Sure, many of us would use that windfall to pay down debt, buy food and save. But there would be spending - we are Americans after all.

But we can't have that. Our money is needed overseas, in the pockets of bankers and special interests groups who have never held a job or earned a dime in their life.

I have said before, I work three jobs. Sometimes I get paid on time other times not. I don't plan on ever having a standard, 9-5, get paid on the 15Th and 30Th, job again. Those days are over. Not by my choice. If someone called today and offered me $100,000 a year with benefits, I would be at their office before the phone hung up. They have us like rats in a maze.

This is life in America. I still am not discouraged. I am still optimistic. I still believe. Why?

Because our oppressors will starve by their own rules and requirements before they can break us. They can't think outside of the box while we lost ours to foreclosure years ago. They need the revenue, interest payments, minimum balances and late payments which are not coming any longer. We got used to less, unreliable, devalued money years ago. We will survive.

Systemic failure is imminent. Get your house in order and get ready.

Next - crop failure, weather patterns and food shortages coming this fall.

Prepare: Cheap Survival Food

"Which Foods Are Gone After A Crisis?"

Food is king. Well, actually, the article I read today said that Ramen was king. I agree when it comes to cheap, lightweight, filling food, ramen noodles rock.

Ramen is considered the fare of hungry college students, underpaid office workers and struggling families. However, it is a big part of my survival food plans. Why?

It's cheap. It costs less than $.10 a pack often. It hardly weighs a thing. A person can easily carry 20 of things in a bug out bag. It is sold in bulk. You can buy a 15 pack at a regular grocery store.

Drawbacks - it has lots of sodium, some fat and other stuff which is not very good for you. In a survival situation, these may be good things.

Here is a great story about the history of ramen noodles.

What else is cheap food for survival?

Macaroni and Cheese

Forget comfort food, mac and cheese is survival food. It can be made with only the ingredients in the box, milk and butter, while nice, are not neccessary.

Macaroni and cheese is a favorite of children and adults. It can be purchased at the grocers often at "3 for a dollar" sales and the non-Kraft version is even cheaper.

I have made mine with dried milk and powdered butter, so that can be done as well.

Rice

Rice per cup costs next to nothing when purchased in big 50lb bags. All that is required is water to make.

Rice can stretch a can of stew or soup into a meal for two (or more in really hard times). Rice stores forever when properly contained.

Beans

Rice's best friend. Dried, can be stored for years. Only need water to cook. Soak overnight to cook and it helps remove some of the "gas effect". Rice is a healthy food as well. High in fiber and protein. And dried beans are cheap.

Oatmeal

Same as rice, cheap and good for you. Buy in big packages. Store in large sealed buckets and it lasts for years. I used some oatmeal I purchased in 2005 for baking last weekend. Had it in a sealed bucket in the back of the pantry. Tasted fine.

Again, water is all that is needed.

There are lots of cheap survival foods which can and should be stored now while the stores are full and food is available. Remember, to pick up appropriate storage buckets to store the food in.

Whether it is a hurricane, storm, war or end of the world, a good food storage program starts with you.

Prepare: Suburban Survival Basics and Intro

Most people these days live in or around a city. Most of us can be classified as "suburban". Very few are completely rural or even part time rural. The reason being jobs, access (to school, health care, etc.), family and convenience.

The world right now is "out of whack". Here in the U.S. we are rapidly running out of time and options. Unemployment is spiraling out of control as all sectors of our economy are in trouble. Money is hard to get for businesses and individuals. Homes are foreclosing. Businesses are shutting their doors. There will be no more easy fixes and recovery will take decades.

With these two things in mind, you, Mr. or Mrs. Suburbia, better wake up and get ready. I truly believe we are about to be in for worse times, rather than better times.

The end will not happen at once.

There will NOT be a sudden "the government is broke" announcement followed by immediate rioting, looting and runs on grocery stores.

The end will come gradually. Another percentage uptick on the unemployment charts. Hiring and spending freezes by the government. Reduction in benefits to the unemployed, elderly and veteran. A mass migration of transient workers heading back to their home countries as jobs and money dry up.

Now is the time to stock your suburban lifeboat for the inevitable.

Money -

Starting now, take 10% of your paycheck, put it in cash and hide it at home.
Start selling (while there are buyers) all of your unneeded and unwanted junk. Hold a garage sale, post to Craigslist, etc. Sell off those compact disks and DVD's you never watch. Get rid of that old stereo forsaken for the IPod.

Stick all the extra money into two piles - Emergency cash and preparedness.

Food -

First, start laying out 4x3 planting areas in the back yard. Use bricks, wood, rocks, whatever to start building raised beds. A half dozen of those will raise a surprising amount of food. Plan on growing food which produces a lot from a little. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans. Melons and corn take up too much room and water.

Next, go to the warehouse store and start buying big bags of rice, beans, spices, flour, sugar, salt, etc. Long term stuff which can be made into meals and food to fill you up.

Buy lots of canned and dried foods. Fill the pantry now while its available with food you like to eat and which can feed you, your spouse and children this winter.

For instance, let's say you go through a pack of hot dogs a week. Buy four packs, freeze three and put the other in the fridge. As long as the power is on, you have one month's worth of hot dogs. Do the same for macaroni and cheese, cereal, etc.

Water -

You need to store water. Buy ten cases of bottle water so you know you have something. Stick it in the closet.

Next, get some storage containers. A couple of 55 gallon, food grade barrels are not that expensive. They can be filled, placed in the garage and treated with a bit of bleach. You now have several days worth of water on hand.

Put up some barrels to catch rain water from the down spouts.

Find a nearby water source. Stock up on bleach, filters and some way boil water.

Energy, heat, light -

Buy several packs of batteries from the dollar store. Get more from the warehouse club store if you can afford it.

Buy at least one deep cycle rechargeable battery. Pick up a solar panel kit, (even a small one will do) to charge it. Once charged, you can use it to power..

A single burner hotplate. You now have an appliance for heating water and cooking small meals.

Also purchase a two burner camp stove and as many gas cylinders as you feel comfortable storing.

The big propane tanks for the grill are handy, I have four. But remember, cooking outdoors alerts the neighbors that "Soups on!".

I don't care to store charcoal. It goes bad too soon.

For light, pick up battery powered lanterns over gas; they are safer to use indoors. Candles are handy, but they don't put out much light. If you do get them, believe me, get the non-scented variety.

LED lights are great for flashlights and head lamps.

A single space heater run from the deep cycle battery can warm a single room the family can use during cold nights without central heat.

A fireplace is good as is a wood stove, but you will need a lot (6 cords a season minimum) of wood.

Protection -

Go to the nearest sporting goods store and select a pump action 12 gauge shotgun. Pick up at least 500 rounds of ammunition mixed in slugs, buck, and bird shot. That is 20 boxes of shells.

Go to another sporting goods store and purchase a .22 rifle such as a Marlin or Ruger. Pick up at least 5000 rounds of ammunition. That is 10 bricks.

Find any friends or relatives who shoot and own guns. Ask what their plans are and what they will do if riots break out or there are food shortages. There is strength in numbers but only among those willing to defend themselves.

Measure plywood for the front windows and door of the home. Put up the highest fence allowed around your property. Install real locks on the front and rear doors and measure out a cross bar as well.

Get a number of fire extinguishers for the house as well as smoke alarms.

Start putting all vehicles in the garage or behind the house if possible.

Transportation -

Keep cars properly tuned and full of gas at all times.

Start storing the largest amount of gasoline you feel comfortable with.

Get a bike for each member of the family and at least one full size bike trailer. Make sure it matches the type of bike you have so that installation is quick and secure. (The bike can be used for short trips to save money and gasoline).

Stock the basics for the car: jumper cables, motor oil, coolant, filters and belts. There is a good chance you will have to keep your own vehicle running in the near future.

Medical/Health -

If you know a doctor or nurse, good for you. Get ready to treat yourself otherwise.

Stock a home medicine cabinet now. How many times has a child or spouse had a cold, fever or the flu and there you are running out to the drugstore or grocery for a box of NyQuil? Fix that now by stocking all of those products without excuse.

Build a real first aid kit. Not just those plastic band aids, but gauze, large compress and wrap bandages.

Have everyone blood type and allergies written down and handy.

Stock up now on soap, shampoo, cleaning products, baking soda, bleach, and lots of toilet paper.

Skills/Knowledge -

What can you do? Can you fix a car? Plant a garden? Home repair? What marketable skill do you have which others need and are willing to pay for?

Stock up on books on farming, small repairs, medicine and other useful subjects.

The bottom line is this. In a very short time, we will be forced to make do with what we have and what we are. You can get ready now, or you can be another statistic. It is totally up to you.

What are sitting there for? Get to work!

Prepare: Where to get water post-SHTF

Nuclear war, EMP burst, financial collapse. Every day emergencies, but where do we get water from?

Without fresh water, you die of dehydration. No water to clean with. To cook with. A world without water is a nasty place you won't live in long.

Right now, your home water comes from the faucet. Most of us are on "city water" which comes from a processing plant a long way from home. The water company provides water pressure in the pipes which allows the water to come out the faucet when we turn on the tap.

If the power goes out, or the water supply is disrupted, or the system is damaged, then no water. If you have ever had your water out because of a line break, you know how rough this is.

Now some are fortunate to be on well water. However, they are not out of the woods yet. Wells are no longer the bucket on a rope affair we have in mind when we think of wells. Rather, they are a deep shaft under the house with a powered pump lifting the water out of the depths. Even the infamous pitcher pump is no longer found in the home and those only work for shallow depth wells.

So if the power goes out, then the home with a well may also have no fresh water either.

So what to do?

If you have a well, the answer is easy. Have an alternate power source equal to pumping the water up to the house. Also needed is a power source for a pressue tank.

If you do not have a well, you may want to consider getting one. Yes, most municipalities frown on new well permits in the city, but an enterprising soul could look into "sand point wells" on the Internet and check out the farm and ranch store for the neccessary hardware. If someone were to put in their own sand point well in the backyard over the weekend, who would be the wiser? Just sayin...

Other water sources

Is there a water source on or near your home? A creek, pond, lake, river or stream? Even if the water is questionable, follow the Prepare Three Rule For Water - Boil, Filter, Bleach. Do this and any water is drinkable.

(Stock some camp stove cylinders, big jugs of bleach and water filters now).

Rain keeps falling on my head..

Store that rain water. Place a barrel at the base of the water spouts from the gutters off the roof. Generally, a regular trash can will work if you follow the Three Rule listed above. They sell rain barrels for water collection, but they are expensive. You will need something over the top of the rain barrel to keep mosquitos and large debris out, but allow rain water in. A piece of screen window works fine.
Some people connect two water barrels together with a piece of PVC to expand their collection.

Another is a cistern. A hole in the ground, lined with concrete and covered with some sort of access. The water can also come from rain water. A filter system can be built before the water enters the cistern using gravel, screens and sand. One idea here; a swimming pool can be converted to a cistern although the cover would most likely be a pool cover or a combination of discarded lumber. Be careful with cisterns as people and animals can fall in and drown.

Containers. Where ever the water comes from, where are you going to store it? Get plenty of containers, the bigger the better.

Remember, boil, filter, bleach. Any water can be made drinkable with this formula.