5 of us were planning on the weekend on the "Building Communities" section of our plan. While I admit some ideas are genius, overthinking was a common problem as I wrote down everyones ideas. We went over the ideas and I found quote a few easier solutions.
If a museum, antique shop, heritage center or similar was near by your location, old school equipment will be available. Things like a peddle sewing machine, beast drawn agriculture equipment, smelters, blacksmith tools, mining equipment, logging equipment, rebuilt planes and locomotives, steam cars, (horse and) buggies, canning equipment, antique weapons, printing presses, and, well you get the point.
I know what my local area has to offer as well as a lot of surrounding areas because of family outings and things to do when visitors stay at my place.
What does your local area offer?
pics are examples
We did take into consideration of fuel sources (if required) and know how of maintenance / operation and most of us can use multiple things that are around us or know the basics of operating some. I mean I can't drive a locomotive, but I know how to operate a "cane train" from working on them for 3 years. The native weapons I can use, but still have problems using woomeras (spear launching equiment).
Basically we would only get what would be useful to us and what we can operate, then mark down what is left just in case it is required or more beneficial in the future.
Cheers mate.
Good we are on the same page.
This is where we are not on the same page. I prefer to expect the worse than to make plan for z-day which becomes obsolete the moment an outbreak happens.
For example, if Australia was to have the initial break out and was contained from the rest of the world. I would not be surprise if the "outside world" were too quarantine Australia letting nothing in or out. This would be the smartest option in my opinion. But this is only an example.
I just prepare for worse case scenarios (within budget and limits) and if things pan out a little better than expected, it will make my life so much easier.
I started at the begining in my initial planning. Ie Survival, Defence, Security, Long Term Survival, Establish, Community, Offence, Communications, Scout, Rescue, Expand. This is just off the top of my head, the list a few of us sat down and wrote is a little more in depth.
So in retrospect, we only concentrated on short term survival as you did before we actually started to sit down and think about it. After I joined ZPI i was flooded with so much more information and scenarios (though some don't apply).
Bah - what I'm trying to say is that make your initial plans first because, without them, what use is designing step 8 without passing step 1.
*Edit*
I played "Tourist" over the weekend and took the wife and kids on an outing to see some of the heritage listed areas out and about. We went to the local information centre to get a list of places that allowed us to see (some places you can view only from the fence line) and booked a place for two 'free' tours.
After spending a little less than $20 on the day (fuel & pre packed snacks) and keeping the kids entertained for half a day I was able to make some notes about life before modern technology. I learnt how to connect two phones with a 6v battery and an ohm resister, reshod a fake horse & had an attempt at a few old school games and toys. I also noted where smelters, agriculture equipment, mass produce juicers, hand crank pumps and a hell of a lot of cast iron pot belly stoves.
I also learnt a few tricks about eucalyptus trees (specifically the gum variety) from an Indigenous Australian that I wasn't aware of. Tried some 'bush tucker' and remembered why I don't eat it reguarly. Learnt how to tell the difference between a Witchetty Grub and some foreign bugs as well, such as the African Nightcrawler worm (which in hindsight was obvious). He taught my sons how to "dot paint" traditionally and marked out areas of ochre on a map for me that are not heritage listed. Through this tour I booked 2 courses for a small group of friends. A 2 day course on how to carve and throw a boomerang , and a second 1 day course in finding and preparing local 'bush tucker'.
Highly agree with you mate, I created this thread just to awaken some awareness.
The idea was to keep things simple for those not yet compitant to work on modern equipment where as the old technology is very basic. Though I have found maintaining old components a lot easier than that of the new. A water bored windmill for example hasn't changed much in the many years of it's designs, everytime they have created a more "modern" version so far it has seem to not nearly outlast those that were installed 50 years ago with both recieving common maintenance.
The other idea I was trying to portray was knowing your local area now, to be able to source supplies. Worst case scenario (in my mind) doesn't allow me to wander very far from my alpha site. Thus being able to source your local supplies and utilise them before stretching your search more abroad.
Though I do plan to implement both new and old technology in the event of an apocalypse. Maybe this could be a new discussion on another thread?
To be honest I should of been more clear... But yes - I meant this as an intial stage.
Thanks Nixdad *add them to the book list*... Sounds like a good series to read, may give me more insight and idea.. Much appreciated mate.
I recently went to an old steel works mill... The process is not surprisingly labourous back 150 years ago, but it is surprisngly basic. Well basic for one with expierence in quarrying and mining. I've added this place to my map along with a mining museum in Collinsville, Qld, Aus.
"Leo84: id love to spartan kick a kid" - ZPI CHAT
DUMB WORKERS