I used to deliver office supplies in a truck to the World Trade Center every morning for years until my company went out of business 4 months before 9/11.

I used to think that I should at least make a small effort to survive any future catastrophe (martial law, economic disaster, etc.), but, who am I kidding?, I have a terrible case of survivor's guilt, besides, I live in the city.

But for all who live in the country and have families to live for, these ideas should prove helpful.

Stirling engines can be run off of heat from the sun using a fresnel lens to concentrate the heat for high heat (a regular magnifying glass will probably provide medium power). There are different kinds of stirlings shown on youtube (liquid piston, etc.). Amazon.com has one fully assembled that used to cost $180.00. Edmund Scientific has some hobby stirlings for $60.00 that can run off the heat from a cup of hot water or the cold temperature from an ice cream bar.



The Mendocino Motor is magnetically levitated and could not turn a pulley, but if you could change the bearing setup to use roller bearings, it might be strong enough for a small generator or automobile alternator.



http://www.jcwhitney.com/RV-Parts/10107.jcw



The trouble with Alternate Current (A.C.) is a constant fuel supply for a generator that might have trouble surviving a dusty and humid environment, but an alternator connected to an exercise bike could recharge batteries for computers, Cell Phone s, etc. (cars used to use generators to make A.C. but cannot supply it as 60 cyles house current).

This old post of mine has multiple videos...

//www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1049759#i







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3NU22KxDaQ




Lawn lights on top of tall poles would be unlikely to get stolen, but it would also be helpful to be able to bring some lawn lights into the house every night to light the rooms (put them in a room with mirrors so the light would reflect into other rooms also).



http://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29983&siteId=220



Some hand crank Cell Phone chargers might be unecessarily expensive.



http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/sidewinder.htm






http://phone.cellphoneshop.com/1/1/4074-manual-power-generator-mot-a630-a840-...



At KMART, I bought a hand crank recharger for Cell Phone s for $10.00 (camping supplies, Presidian brand, Nebo also) with one charger cable.

The trouble with the modern solar film is that it will become brittle and crack in the cold, so the non-flexible boards would be more dependable.



http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___73048







http://hometown.aol.com/multi007/page1.html






http://www.metacafe.com/watch/479447/laptop_battery_hack_dont_buy_a_new_one/



In extreme environments (dust, cold/heat) with reduced hope of medical treatment, you might rather not have the lithium batteries around.



http://lowendmac.com/musings/06/0908.html






http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=220870&start=0






http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/no_everlite_mini.php







http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-PowerChill-Thermoelectric-Cooler-40-Quart/dp/B0...






http://www.comforthouseannex.com/powercooler.html






http://www.frostytech.com/permalink.cfm?NewsID=68958






http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070805182811AAYkiC9




When the A.C. power fails, will you be able to flush the toilet without an alternate source of water? (Solid food is impractical if the toilet can't be flushed).


The most important consideration is avoiding the first brigade "Raiders" (if this happens according to schedule, read the 2nd article).



http://eldib.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/




If you are not in the habit of keeping loaded firearms within reach of your children, a can of spray paint in the eyes of an attacker might be helpful with wild dogs and snakes (wild humans also). Cigarette lighters, sterno, propane torches when locks freeze, WD-40 spray lube (ALL aerosol products use a very thin oil as a vehicle and are good for lube AND also degreasing engines,...and cut TAR). Automatic transmission fluid and a rag will clean greasy hands MUCH better than soap (no need for water). Battery operated fans can be a lifesaver for kids (especially with asthma, no meds will be available).

Plastic garbage bags and plastic buckets used for wallboard compound can keep stored items dry.

If you get a flat, auto parts stores have cans of flat fix, but if have to change a tire and remount it, look on youtube for resetting the bead with lighter fluid (usually, only auto repair shops can do that).



There are 3 grades of diatomaceous earth, but only FOOD GRADE should be used around humans. It is used to control pests (slugs, roaches, bedbugs, etc.), used as fertilizer (mineral content), and used for intestinal parasites in pets, livestock, and humans. Don't breath the powder into your lungs, and don't let it get into streams (will kill fish).



http://www.herbalremedies.com/diead6oz.html






http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html






http://www.ontariogrowerssupply.com/scart.asp?area=Food%20Grade%20Fossil%20Sh...







http://www.nopesticides.org/alternatives-insects/materials.shtml






http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html