Updated 11/8/08:
The Store n' Ignore Disaster Box is essensially a container full of items which
1) Have an indefinite shelf life
2) Would likely run low during the second week of a major disaster
3) Can easily be used or re-sold even if there *isn't* a disaster
The contents run the gamut from wheat berries to space blankets. But the box is no cure-all; to be that it would require perishables. This box focuses on being useful almost regardless of how long it sits there, regardless of whether there's a disaster. It is a diversified store of value.
I've spent some months scouring e-bay and discount stores for bargains. So I can sell you the items at roughly the price *you* would pay if you spent hours finding and collecting them yourself. However you should know before ordering that it takes me a while to put one of these together and get it to you at such low cost. I cannot yet mail or deliver it. You'll have to get it from me at a mutually attended New Hampshire event.
Here is a video of the first box being put together:
Here is the manifest and price for that box:
http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=12492.msg268813#msg268813And here are the items usually available for placement in *your* box.
http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=12492.msg268816#msg268816Gimme a shout if and when you would like to purchase one, tell me what your parameters are or just turn me loose to build one for you using my best judgment.
To buy a "Store n' Ignore Disaster Box," just gimme a shout.
Dave Ridley
603.721.1490
RidleyReport
at live period com
Now...below this text is the original message which brought the idea under discussion. If you have ideas for improvement...simply post a reply!
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12/07
<<<< I'd like input from you guys before I get too deep into this project...
I am thinking of designing and producing a low-cost disaster kit primarily for use *after* the first week of a catastrophe. It would also be designed so that every item had an indefinite shelf life. Its contents would be barter-friendly consumables you could make easy use of with or without an emergency, at a better price than you would usually find them at the store
In other words, a safe microinvestment.
Here's a list of items I might include...but mainly I am wanting to know how much interest there is in something like this. If interest is limited , I may not do much. However if interest is high enough, that would give me an excuse to start collecting a lot more survival friendly stuff and turning this kit, or something similar, into reality.
Chlorine Water treatment tabs - plus printed instructions on how to use them, even in cloudy water.
http://www.lesliespool.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=9151&iMainCat=14&iSubCat=104&iProductID=9151&tabID=3 There is apparently debate regarding the indefinite status of this item's shelf life.
Alum - for de-clouding water and making it easier to treat with Chlorine. I'm uncertain regarding the indefinite status of this item's shelf life.
Ammo - Something the Red Cross and Wal Mart kits never get around to including...fortunately it is still legal to sell without bureaucratic obstacles. Ammunition historically becomes a currency in protracted crises.
Candles -
Laptop Friendly Disaster Survival Library - this is a keyword searchable disaster survival document on CD; compiled by me but written by the U.S. Army and the Red Cross.
Matches - Matches became a currency in Bosnia during the 1990s conflict. To limit fire hazard issues, I could store them in sealed glass jars?
Sterno - good for cooking indoors without electricity
kleenex - ideally, I should leave you a room full, but this will have to do.
Lamp Oil - apparently odorless mineral spirits are better. u get them at home depot.
honey - will crystalize eventually but can be reclaimed by _____
salt - the world's ancient currency. Became very valuable in central Bosnia during the war.
Wheat - plus printed instructions on how to sprout it. This will keep you eating veggies for another week or two.
See thru trash bags - double as low-budget greenhouse device in the sun. Useful for all kinds of things and rarely in plentiful supply.
Baggies
Tampons - barter friendly even if you don't use them.
Ideally the biggest advantage of buying these things in this disaster kit form, might be that they are actually cheaper to own that way. I already know how to find things really cheap around here and I'm just getting started... but my first step would be to find the lowest possible prices on items like these.
Your thoughts? >>>
