I got three different ration buckets from an estate sale a few years ago. They’re about 10 years into that 20 year shelf life. The only problem is I’ve been keeping them in my garage. Temperature changes all the time. Real hot summers and real cold winters. I realize now I should have kept them in the house. Would you keep them or toss them?

I have a dehydrator (Note: it's a relatively low heat unit which circulates air through it; this is NOT freeze drying). I am going to store some dehydrated fruits and vegetables in mylar bags with some desiccants, but I was wondering what the expected shelf life of these are, when I should start rotating them etc. I expect certain vegetables to last longer than fruits, but was wondering if anyone had any tables on expected shelf life of these things, assuming they were dehydrated properly.

As i'm a non-diabetic myself, I have a few questions regarding a friend that recently underwent surgery for sleep apnea.

His wounds aren't healing, or as I suspect it takes alot longer for it to close properly.

Did they take out the stitches too early or how long should stitches remain in this case? Is there any medication or similar for treatment or does he need to keep it taped together? Apparently there are nose bleeds.

He's in Ukraine so not sure what options are available.

What is a good amount for two adults of canned food and/or dry food one should stock up on?

Mine is survival trapping and fishing cause I suck at hunting but I can trap and fish very well. I can also grow shit and forage like a MF

Should I start prepping just in case things go sideways??

I’ve recently began prepping. I started with getting a full physical and bloodwork done to ensure that I am healthy and do not have any underlying issues. I then purchased first aid supplies, matches, candles and food. i do plan on rotating the food (beans, rice, canned goods etc).

A friend was over, went into my pantry for a snack, and noticed all the extra items I had in boxes. Its not a lot but she is someone who has been in my pan before so it was noticeable.

I explained the box in the pantry, and my reasons for my light prepping. She said my reasons were ridiculous, there won’t be another pandemic and I won’t need to shelter in place or leave to go somewhere else. I didn’t want to argue with her so I just told her she was right and thanked her. I felt that the conversation wouldn’t be constructive and my viewpoints wouldn’t be taken seriously so I just let her think what she wanted to keep the peace.

My next step is to purchase a solar power bank, n95 with respirators, small butane camping stove, flashlights and bartering items.

Do you discuss your stockpile/preps with your friends/other people? Do you tell them your viewpoints?

I thought about doing so, and telling my friends to at the very least make sure they have enough supplies for 72hrs, but this interaction makes me think I shouldn’t. I think I’m going to have to let them be caught unprepared, and if SHTF, help them where I can.

I've looked around for this and I cant find something like it. I've heard the solar panel ones and the crank ones dont actually work very well.

I'd like something where I can just stock up on AAs and it will keep me charged for a while

Are there any thoughts or suggestions for installing boards for my windows? Just in case a natural or man made disaster happens, I would like to be ready ahead of time. What is your advice or suggestions to prepare for this?

Please remove if not allowed. I read rules of the sub.

I want to get a mask (or respirator?). Mostly for nerve and tear and other chemical threats. I would obviously throw it on if there was a nuke, but I know it's not going to do much for me if that happens. Or if there was a biological attack i would also throw it on. Do I need separate filters for all that? Or do they make expensive filters that cover all those bases and do it well? Yes I know gamma is photons and will go throw anything that's not multiple feet thick.

TLDR: best gas mask hopefully under 500$, don't want MIRA I think as it's rebranded

I think the only difference between a respirator and gas mask is that a respirator is just a gas mask that works fine as a gas mask like normal with 40mm filters HOWEVER you have the capability to use an included (or potentially separately purchased) SCBA system. So a respirator can work like a gas mask OR you can utilize that same mask as a respirator at your perogative (correct?) Assuming my understanding of this premise is even remotely correct, if whatever mask i buy has the capability to down the road be used as a respirator with future purchases of additional gear that is absolutely a bonus but right now I have no intention of buying that cool stuff. So if i have to pay big money for that premium, don't worry about it.

I would like to buy MOPP someday but at the moment I'm not doing that. Obviously many gases attack the skin but for the moment I'm limited on funds and space to store stuff.

I would prefer if it had a good drinking system and was pretty compatible with shooting a shoulder fire weapon (rifle, smg, shotgun). I typically shoot rifles left handed FYI

I would like if it had sunglasses

I had LASIK but if it works good with glasses that's a bonus cuz someday I'll need them again (although the rubber mask might be rotted and trash by then...)

From what I understand 2 lenses is not ideal, you want one big giant polycarb/plastic lens (they call that panoramic, right?)

I don't want MIRA. All the appearing-to-be-knowledgeable people seem to agree it's a scam company. Perhaps if you like MIRA so much you can buy one from whoever MIRA buys them from and skip the middle man? No idea

I'm located in US and would like to keep the price below 500$ but I would rather get something really good or best bang for buck if that makes sense. I'd rather get something really good and simple for 250$ than a cheap military poopy one for 500$. Meaning if to get all the features i want in a good package i have to spend beaucoup bucks, id rather skimp on some of the bells and whistles I mentioned and get something really good for less money.

What filter(s) to buy?

Any good brand new gas mask will come in a sealed container, and you don't open it till the emergency arises IF you want the rubber's shelf life to last as long as possible, correct? Same with brand new filters, they come sealed and if you want longest possible shelf life, don't open, correct?

If i buy a mask I may open it up and throw a crappy filter in it for the odd range days (and maybe occasional PT?) But not sure I'll make that executive decision later on.

I'm military I've been to the gas chamber with CS but I've never MOPPED up and not CBRN so I'm just a beginner and as of right now the mask and filte(s) (and maybe drinking system) is all I want.

Thanks so much, any advice tremendously appreciated

Hey everyone! Me and my partner are looking for some help finding a generator for off grid living, ideally we’d use it mainly to run a fridge, ac and occasionally space heater, electric stove, and enclosures for a gecko and snake. Not as important but would be nice to run a tv and xbox. Any help is appreciated!

Edit: forgot to mention a solar powered generator is preferred!

If I don't have time to build a filtration system with gravel, charcoal and cloth, would hose water be safe in long-term storage if I run it through charcoal filter disks?

So I'm not at the Mylar storage stage yet. Everyone says in general to use what you eat and rotate what you use. Does that go for Mylar storage? Like since it's sealed would you be eating it too and rotating it or are they only to be cracked open when you run out of your lesser-longterm food?

I'd imagine that opening and resealing would not be too optimal. But I'm not sure.

Hi, I’m wondering if I can store dry dog food in Mylar bags? Or if it would be better to keep it in the bag it comes in? I’m not getting any clear answers online. If it is okay in Mylar does it need a moisture absorber?

I want at least 3 months of dog food saved for my pup.

Thanks in advance

I am thinking either of these two but if you know of a better one please let me know!

Kaito KA500 • AM/FM, NOAA Weather Alerts, Shortwave • Hand crank, solar, USB, and battery-powered • USB output for phone charging • Durable and water-resistant

Midland ER310 • AM/FM, NOAA Weather Alerts • Hand crank, solar, and rechargeable battery • USB port for charging devices • Ultrasonic dog whistle for search-and-rescue

Looking at picking up an old truck that has a PTO on the t-case and curious what things are out there that might be useful in an off grid camping situation

This is Health Warrior Oatmeal. Wanting to seal these up in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Based on the ingredients list is it safe to seal? What would suggest an expiry be on this?

I live in a suburban neighborhood that has a couple of small ponds as part of a wetland watershed, and there's a creek that runs over a rocky, sandy bed that drains one of the ponds (and leads to another pond in the next neighborhood).

I'm wondering if I get a backpacking-style water filter, could I draw water from these natural bodies for drinking or cooking in an emergency where tap water is no longer safe or available?

The ponds have a lot of life in them: plants, frogs, fish, ducks, the occasional heron. It's not just duckweed and algae.

All I have right now plus some rice is a different location and some water as well. From now on every grocery run I will pick up a few extra cans of food and make sure to get some variation. Water as well. Last time I was "serious" about prepping, all I did was get an old bag and put some small gear in it and called it a get home bag. The time to take it serious was yesterday but I start now. Thank you to this sub.

I posted this on r/zombiesurvivaltactics — I don’t believe zombies are even possible but I thought they’d find it interesting and they basically all just said I was an idiot. Extremely pretentious group over there lol. Figured you guys might find it a bit more interesting.

Pretty comfortable and I keep it on me whenever I’m not at work or somewhere non-permissive. This is a BACKUP and has a double edged dagger for emergency self defense. I have a Morakniv Garberg that I typically keep on my belt.

Serious question, whats stopping me from plating 20 Aloevera plants in my bunker and having fresh air? I wouldnt need to expose myself by having an air pipe, risk it being damaged from a nuclear shockwave or have to worry about pathogens

I’d like to say my dewalt leaf blower is one of the best products I have in my truck besides my dewalt tire pump. My leaf blower once helped me get my buddy out of a jam after a hurricane he drove his car through flood water and stalled it. I took my leaf blower and blew out his air intake and dried it enough for him to start it and get only a little water in his engine. He was able to get home and took it to a mechanic after the fact but still a good thing to bring around!

I saw these MyMedic products (MyFAK Pro) etc on sale, but when I searched this subreddit about it it seems that the consensus, here at least, is that they are "booboo kits". From what I've read specifically the RATS tourniquet offered is not ideal.

I'm not a paramedic, so having a curated kit & simply learning to use its contents felt great for me but now I'm second guessing its items. What are some alternatives, or should I just build out my own med kit despite my lack of expertise? I feel like that's an even worse idea.

I mainly want something for emergencies, ideally I never have to touch it but I want to know it's there and how to use it.

I use this method for splitting large sections of rock, usually 3 to 10 feet lengths at a time. I have yet to try it with wood. It seems by working with the grain in wood it would be possible, but I'm interested to know if anyone has tried this method themselves?

The home has well water. The image below shows the components used in getting the water from the well into the massive storage thank and then to the house. I have numbered them in hopes that you can describe the process to me. Note that levers 7 and 9 are on the "on" position, while lever 8 is currently off. The area marked 1 is where the well water enters the building. Thank you!

https://preview.redd.it/3nv8kpy0wrfe1.jpg?width=1165&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3f0f7abb1e43521f2ba2913dac662b41260b83ba