The urban survival kit

Most readers of this blog are from advanced, urban societies. We may not face natural predators but our reflexes will have to be just as fast if a bus driver sufferers a heart attack and careers towards us.
Here is a partial list of urban hazards- in approximate order of likelihood.
1. ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT/MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
There is little that can be done apart from making sure that there is information on your person about pre existing medical conditions and your next of kin (program this into your phone). Consider an identity bracelet if there is anything wrong with you.
2. RUNNING OUT OF CASH.
Always have a �20 note in case ATM machines no longer work. Keep this separate from your wallet.
3. MUGGING/PICKPOCKET.
Never carry your address. This will make it easy for anyone stealing your keys to burgle your home. An umbrella is a good self defense weapon.
4. BECOMING THE TARGET OF UNDIRECTED RAGE OR POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.
Some people are simply looking for trouble and a white middle aged man makes an ideal target due to a combination of peaceful reputation and political correctness. One solution is to claim to be a Muslim and to say you are being targeted due to your faith.
5. TERRORISM.
This is relatively unlikely but serious when it happens. Do not spread anthrax around by running from the contamination area. Stay calm. Carry a first aid kit.
6. POWER SHUTDOWN.
This can be quite nasty on the underground. In hot weather you should have some water or fruit juice.

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The case against plastics

Plastics, we are told, are chemically inert and therefore cannot affect the human body. Despite this there is a great deal of information claiming that certain additives in plastic are very bad for us indeed. Different plastics leech different chemicals and it is completely impossible for an unqualified person to fully follow the argument.
One would think that food safe plastics would be completely free of anything that could get into food- yet this is clearly not the case. All you need to do is to take your plastic 'tupperware' type container and sniff it. You will notice a definite smell that could only exist if the plastic were emitting fumes of some kind. You will notice the same thing if you leave water in the container for an hour or so. There is a definite 'plastic' taste.
Clearly something is entering the food- probably not the real nasty stuff that mimics estrogen in the body- but something.
I have taken every plastic container to the charity shop!
Here is the case against plastic.
1) Plastic taints and absorbs flavours from some foods.
2) Plastic is flammable and emits toxic fumes. This is the chief cause of death in household fire.
3) Plastic is generally harder to recycle than glass.

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The 100, 500 and 2500 survival kits

�100 Survival Kit.
�100 will prep against the most likely cause of death in the home- fire. Buy a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher as well as a blanket for the kitchen.. When you come to replace your furniture, pay a little extra and make sure it does not produce toxic fumes in a blaze. Get a carbon monoxide tester too if you have gas in the home.
�500 Survival Kit.
This contains the previous kit plus about sixty Kilner jars. This may seem a great deal but they have multiple uses.
Firstly, they may be used for food storage. Use them for all of your survival rations (rice. flour and so on) but they also keep breakfast cereal fresh. Kilner jars are also useful for household organization. Sort oddments into categories until they can be processed properly.
Keep one jar for water. This is to allow you to make a cup of tea even when the mains have burst. The remainder of the budget should go on food. You now have six months rations!
�2500 Survival kit.
Now we are getting serious! Include the previous kit and also buy a 'bug out bag' containing a tent, a little food and other personal items in case you need to leave your home quickly. You should own some physical gold (sovereigns have some minor tax advantages in the UK) and should start making contact with other preppers. An outdoors survival course would also fall within this budget and you should have some safe refuge in mind.

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