How long could you survive now with what you have on hand?

LadyRuby

I was thinking about this question today, and my answer to myself was probably longer than I'd have imagined (that's when we start eating the olive oil, etc.).

I casually asked my husband this question today, and his answer: "Well, we have one good beer and two bad ones. So probably about a day."

Can you tell that he's not quite on board?

dissimulo · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 01, 2005 Posts: 371

I could survive on what I have for a long, long time - but I couldn't live a lifestyle anything like I have right now.

Without any input of supplies, I could keep my current lifestyle going for about two months, with the exception that I would have to dramatically cut my electricity use, since I can only generate around 250 watts constant on the average. I can crank up the generator if I need more power, but the fuel wouldn't last long. I could probably run the generator for big jobs one day a week for two years.

After two months, I would be down to some canned goods and dry supplies, which I have enough of for years. I would need to expand my garden greatly in the next year to supplement the dry foods, but I would easily make it on a beans and rice diet until I could do that. I have about half an acre of established tree and small fruits, so I would not suffer too much.

Hard to say how long I could really go. Eventually, I would run up against need for parts for things like the well pump, and home maintenance. I would run out of wood and I don't have enough of a wood lot to replenish it (this could be a big problem). Without income, I would eventually have a problem with property taxes. Medical problems also would crop up sooner or later.

All you can do is prepare. Even with the best preps, you could come down with appendicitis and be in real trouble.
_________________
With a farewell scream of escaping steam, the boiler bows to the Diesel;
The Iron Horse has run its course and we ride a chromium weasel
-Ogden Nash

vision-master

I got enough beer for a week?

Pops

Shannymara

LadyRuby

mekrob · Expert Joined: Dec 09, 2005 Posts: 2663

About 5 days worth of cream of wheat but can be stretched to 10 days.

5 days worth of chili and pita bread.

2 days worth of noodles in a bowl.

And some pink lemonade.

Damn, I'm Fark.

Oh wait, my roommate is pretty damn fat...I'm saved!

Pops

strider3700

Water - Assuming that it doesn't rain a single drop again 6-8 months easy. Assuming a dry season Years. Assuming regular rainfall (it's been getting heavier lately) forever.

Food - Assuming the power stays on and I can take my time emptying the freezer and fridge 2 maybe 3 months for the two of us once I get the pasta filled again. If the power goes out and I loose the freezer 1 month probably.

Damn I need to go shopping for dry goods again.
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shame on us, doomed from the start
god have mercy on our dirty little hearts

rwwff

3+ months without leaving; though it would be spectacularly boring fair.

Interesting question then, how do you tell if you're gonna be on your own for 3 months. When does it become worth it to cut trees to get sun light and plant 1000 sq ft of corn and peas?

Harder question really becomes at what point do you abandon ship on suburbia, get in the truck and head to the farm. Wait to long, and you can't get stuff growing in time to make the transition, go to early, and you'll look like an idiot to family and friends if nothing interesting actually happens. Remember back in the 80's, "guy with a bombshelter" routine?

Hardest question... How to enjoy civilized life in the air conditioning for as long as possible, and yet end up on the farm with a mule or two and a couple burros. (I like burros, we think alike.) when things go splat....

pea-jay

Personally, I dont think things will go splat, and all of a sudden, no civilization. Not impossible mind you, but unlikely.

But what the heck, I'll play too.

Depends on if I made a Costco trip or not. Fresh from there, probably a few weeks, though the last week would be rather slim pickings for sure. I got 18 pounds of rice and 10 pounds of oatmeal, canned fruit, veggies and milk. I also baked me a months worth of Sherm's MegaMuffins which also pack a nutritional punch as well. But after that, games up.

I dont worry about water here. On many days, simply putting a bottle and funnel out will suffice.
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UNplanning the future...
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parsifal · Tar Sands Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 46

I want to die off fast, but I want to make the quick transition from an epicurean moment to the mob bashing in my skull. I've got some wine, some cheese and a battery to play my music.

"The will to power is the will to life." How would Nietszche treat Peak Oil?

Pops · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:10 am Post subject:

ncgoatgirl · Tar Sands Joined: Apr 24, 2005 Posts: 49 Location: NC

--1.5 gallons of goat milk per day. However, without store-bought grain, that might drop to 3 quarts per day, through most of December.

--Cow freshening in November; on grass and hay only, a gallon or two of milk a day.

--Garden in, including winter crops of collards, kale, carrots, parsnips, etc., plus canned tomatoes, etc.

--Eggs from free-range chickens, probably only a handful a day without grain.

--100 lbs of wheat berries for bread

--Lots of misc. foods in the cupboards---rice, beans, flour, sugar, assorted canned stuff, coffee, tea, etc.

--many gallons of homemade wine.

I think we'd be ok for a while.

ncgoatgirl · Tar Sands Joined: Apr 24, 2005 Posts: 49 Location: NC

Oh, wait, I forgot the potatoes and the meat animals: muscovy ducks, ram lambs, and buck goat kids.