In the comments to yesterday’s preparedness post, longtime reader/commenter GWB makes some good points but I have to disagree with him on a definition of terms, and on a couple of very minor points. The term of discussion is “preparedness” and we do seem to have a different definition of same.
He makes the point that preparedness means stocking up on the manual items, which in many households are the backups to regular use items. I did touch on the need to stock up on the manual items, but since I’ve covered that topic before I did not get too far into it. I think it is important to have them, especially if things go south for an extended period of time. In fact, having multiples of critical items is a very good idea.
However, my definition of preparedness revolves around layers and durations. As in I plan and prep to have as many layers in place as possible, in order to handle a variety of durations with as much comfort as possible. Having a single layer for any point makes that layer a potential single point of failure. I want as many layers (and as many steps between pure electronics and pure manual) as practical (or possible if cost no object) in place.
Much depends on duration, or rather durations, of the things that happen. As I noted in the Preparedness Pays series, there are three types/levels of emergency and they are based on duration. The book-in-progress (sigh, still) breaks it down very nicely, but a rough idea is that 1- to 3-days is an annoyance; 3-days to 4-weeks (or so, forget the exact time frames I used) is an emergency; and anything beyond 4-weeks is a disaster.
In the case of yesterday’s post, I’m actually optimistic about the potential disaster (really disasters) that I see as possible. As Sarah oft says, Be Not Afraid. For all that I think things are going to get more than a little bumpy, I think the odds are that we bounce back sooner rather than later. Lots of reasons for that, and frankly Sarah is doing a good job of analyzing a lot of the reasons why. If you are not reading her, you should be.
What wasn’t obvious yesterday, though, is that I think that for about 90 percent of what could happen, we should bounce back to reasonable levels within 4- to 6-years. Now, I want shoes, batteries, and electronics that are going to give me the best they can during that time. For the products I mentioned, keep in mind that newer batteries will hold charge longer, are easier to recharge, and generally they will operate at maximum efficiency for a good period of time. The non-electronic parts of the system should last a good long while as well. With solar chargers and other means of recharging, I keep their ease-of-use and comfort for the longest possible time.
If I get new shoes next month, I should be good for at least 4 years on the main shoes, and I bet I can get almost that out of the tennis shoes at need. At which time, I would hope that we are back to where such things are once again widely available. Same holds true for several of the other items I mentioned.
Semi-aside, it used to be one of the hallmarks of a good barber was being able to keep not just your razor sharp, but all of your scissors and clippers sharp as well. If you’ve never had a haircut where the barber used dull manual clippers and/or scissors, count yourself lucky. For such biteth mightily and well beyond a mere ouchie. It’s why I want to keep the ease of use of the electric trimmers/clippers and other implements around as long as I can. For me, I think it important to maintain some levels of presentation, for reasons of physical and mental hygiene. Such is much easier and less painful with modern conveniences, so I want to be sure what I have will work and work well for an extended period.
Also, don’t throw or give away anything you do replace. Clean them, charge them, and tuck them away appropriately to have as backups. Stuff happens, and having extra layers keeps it from being a Hoover moment. If also gives you potential trade goods at need. Just a thought.
Yesterday’s post was about the need to stock up on critical items (shoes, edged items, etc.) that may have components from overseas, as well as some important comfort items (and, in some ways, I do count phones, laptops, etc. as comfort items). It is also a suggestion to add layers where you can to your preparations, and that this too shall pass — possibly like a kidney stone and sadly over years not weeks. But it will pass.
Thing is, be prepared for anything that comes, from any source. Keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Excellent follow-up to yesterday’s post. The layers is exactly right.
I like to use the off-the-grid stuff even for some short-term items, as it means I have to worry less about managing what gets charged when or prioritize that last remaining charge.
And, of course, clothing is one of those items that is decidedly low-tech in most incarnations. And it’s something a great many people totally forget in prepping. As a matter of fact, I now need to go make a list…. (And a budget.)
Thank you, and thank you again for your good comments on posts!
I do need to do some clothing prep myself. It is easy to overlook, but for emergencies and disasters, very important.