Prepping in small spaces kind of sucks because you do not have much room. Well recently I have been meeting some folks online that live either in small homes or apartments that do not have much storage space and needed some ideas. So to kind of remedy this, I thought I would post my original post from Today's Survival Show on Apartment Prepping here on my blog.
Original Post:
I too live in an apartment, AND I am a prepper. I feel that when it comes to living in an apartment, prepping is essential because of the fact that you are limited. It is pretty tough to live in an apartment, but in reality, it is just learning to live in a small space. Small spaces are not just limited to apartments, some are living in houses smaller than an apartment.
One of the biggest limits is space and storage, but here is a chance to be creative! When looking for storage, think Under, In and Up.
Under as in spaces under your bed, tables like what Frazer mentioned or high legged chairs that you do not have to move.
For 'In' what comes to mind is of course rubbermaid tubs, but again get creative. Think 'hidden in plain sight'. Enclosed end tables with doors, entertainment centers, a wooden trunk serves as storage as well as a decorative coffee table (YAY for multi-function!) Benches that you can lift up the seat for storage. I have even seen an ENTIRE KITCHEN in an armoire!
Next is Up. All apartments have some sort of closet and cabinet system, unfortunately for preppers as well as everyone else, efficiency apartment cabinets are not very large or efficient so that means it would help to have more shelves. If your landlord does allow you to put things like that up on a wall, then great! Many do not how ever, but there is no reason that you cant have shelves. Bookcases, free standing shelves and utility cabinets work well. If you cant afford to buy or make any of those, then get milk crates. They work really well as low makeshift shelving when stacked on each other, I know, I use them as small bookshelves! Also, stack your rubber tubs. Another idea is a rolling cart that not only adds counter space, but also a couple of shelves underneath. There some out there that are not very expensive and have a nice butcher block top.
If ya need ideas, just google 'Small Space Living'. There are a ton of sites out there for it. This is one that I mentioned earlier: http://smallspaceliving.blogspot.com Sure it has not been updated in a while, but it still has some good articles.
If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Books n' Kits n' Reader's Knowledge!
Blogger Kim said...
BTW, that "lady stuff" can come in handy for a guy who might have a deep bloody gash that needs to be covered with something large...those pads come in handy for more than just what we women tend to need them for! Great job on your kit...I think I'll get mine out of the car this weekend and make sure I've got all that we need...you've mentioned quite a bit that I'm not sure I have...yikes!
Kim,
That is a very good suggestion, and also the cotton in the pads themselves also make for good fire tinder too in a pinch.
Yes, it is a very good idea to check your kits. I have heard that it is a good idea to check them about twice a year, namely spring and fall to replace and replenish things that have gone out of date or are used up. Maybe get in the idea of practicing with your kit and using it from time to time. I use mine to make my lunch sometimes.
Blogger Joshkie said...
If you haven't read it, "98.6 Degrees the Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive" by Cody Lundin is a really good book.
His website is here:
http://www.codylundin.com/degrees.html
Josh
Josh,
Actually I have both of Mr. Lundin's books, "98.6 Degrees" and "When All Hell Breaks Loose" and I am reading them. I currently have not posted any reviews of them yet as I am not finished with them. However, Cody's knowledge in primitive living so far seems outstanding. To me the guy seems to walk the walk and I have a lot of respect for him. I probably will do a full review on them as soon as I finish them, and there are a few things that I would like to try out from his 'When All Hell..' book. He has some interesting concepts I would like to try. But thank you for the recommendation and the link to his site! It is well worth the visit. Also, I think he has a Youtube channel under the name Abodudeman. Just recently that channel posted the informational interviews that showed Cody Lundin and also The Survival Mom Lisa Bedford for Newsweek Magazine on survival that they did a year ago! Plus there is a some other videos on his channel. It is worth a look!
Ravenwolf
BTW, that "lady stuff" can come in handy for a guy who might have a deep bloody gash that needs to be covered with something large...those pads come in handy for more than just what we women tend to need them for! Great job on your kit...I think I'll get mine out of the car this weekend and make sure I've got all that we need...you've mentioned quite a bit that I'm not sure I have...yikes!
Kim,
That is a very good suggestion, and also the cotton in the pads themselves also make for good fire tinder too in a pinch.
Yes, it is a very good idea to check your kits. I have heard that it is a good idea to check them about twice a year, namely spring and fall to replace and replenish things that have gone out of date or are used up. Maybe get in the idea of practicing with your kit and using it from time to time. I use mine to make my lunch sometimes.
Blogger Joshkie said...
If you haven't read it, "98.6 Degrees the Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive" by Cody Lundin is a really good book.
His website is here:
http://www.codylundin.com/degrees.html
Josh
Josh,
Actually I have both of Mr. Lundin's books, "98.6 Degrees" and "When All Hell Breaks Loose" and I am reading them. I currently have not posted any reviews of them yet as I am not finished with them. However, Cody's knowledge in primitive living so far seems outstanding. To me the guy seems to walk the walk and I have a lot of respect for him. I probably will do a full review on them as soon as I finish them, and there are a few things that I would like to try out from his 'When All Hell..' book. He has some interesting concepts I would like to try. But thank you for the recommendation and the link to his site! It is well worth the visit. Also, I think he has a Youtube channel under the name Abodudeman. Just recently that channel posted the informational interviews that showed Cody Lundin and also The Survival Mom Lisa Bedford for Newsweek Magazine on survival that they did a year ago! Plus there is a some other videos on his channel. It is worth a look!
Ravenwolf
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Survival Gear: My Vehicle Kit
The beginnings of my vehicle kit. I am a little nervous in posting this. I had originally posted this over at Todays Survival Show Forums
Hyigene and First Aid
Three minor first aid kits for basic injuries, styptic pen, pain meds, soap (bar and liquid), hand sanitizer, tooth brush with toothpaste and *ahem* "extra lady stuff".
Food and Cooking
2 cans of soup, can of fruit, can of veggies, chocolate bars, small mess kit with plate, pan, pot, black cup, and a fork / spoon/ knife combo, Multi Spice kit, enamel cup, two cans of sterno, sterno folding stove, p-38 can opener, canteen, wineskin, plastic bags and potable aqua.
Heat and Light
Socks, light sticks, 5 bags of fire sticks, 2 lighters, 1 brick wetfire, blastmatch, box of matches, magnesium bar, emergency blanket, 2 candles, fatwood sticks, hand and foot wamers, drier lint.
Misc stuff:
2 pairs of gloves, duct tape, trash bags, sewing kit, bungee chords, rope, tri-folding shovel, tent stakes,pencils, compass, tissues.
Not shown:
bandanna
Wool Blanket
Cloth Blanket
Multitool
Tarp
bottled water
boots
shammy towel (for got to add it in the picture with my soap and stuff.)
toilet paper
Jumper cables
Mini survival kit with sabercut saw, whistle, signal mirror, wetfire tinder, second blast match
kitty litter *works like sand in snow.*
notebook
canvas bag that contains half of this stuff
second canvas bag for the rest
and most important, Myself!
I know that there are some other things that I should put in, like a flashlight, (I just realized that!) Notice that I put HUGE emphasis on heat. I live in Minnesota, and it gets BASTARD cold here, if you cant keep warm, then you are in trouble! The fire sticks and other stuff I have in case I have to leave my car, or if I will be there a while. Heck with this kit, I can camp for a while if I need to. My first 72 hr kit for my car. Mostly I intend to stay with my car though.
Most of this stuff I was able to get for under $10, and some I even got for a $1 or less, so building your own kit is not really that expensive. Just make sure that you make your personal kit relevant to you. I am a woman, so I added in some lady stuff. Plus how many other kits do you know have extra socks and boots? Sometimes that is a good thing to add in, especially if you live in very cold, or very damp places, the last thing you want is cold and / or wet feet. This is just somethings to think about when you make your own bag. I encourage you guys to do your research on this. However, this is my first bag, so it is a work in progress. I think so far so good.
Stuff to add:
Dry food
energy bars
flashlight
fishhooks
beef up my first aid kits, I know it is a good start, but it is just a start.
Hyigene and First Aid
Three minor first aid kits for basic injuries, styptic pen, pain meds, soap (bar and liquid), hand sanitizer, tooth brush with toothpaste and *ahem* "extra lady stuff".
Food and Cooking
2 cans of soup, can of fruit, can of veggies, chocolate bars, small mess kit with plate, pan, pot, black cup, and a fork / spoon/ knife combo, Multi Spice kit, enamel cup, two cans of sterno, sterno folding stove, p-38 can opener, canteen, wineskin, plastic bags and potable aqua.
Heat and Light
Socks, light sticks, 5 bags of fire sticks, 2 lighters, 1 brick wetfire, blastmatch, box of matches, magnesium bar, emergency blanket, 2 candles, fatwood sticks, hand and foot wamers, drier lint.
Misc stuff:
2 pairs of gloves, duct tape, trash bags, sewing kit, bungee chords, rope, tri-folding shovel, tent stakes,pencils, compass, tissues.
Not shown:
bandanna
Wool Blanket
Cloth Blanket
Multitool
Tarp
bottled water
boots
shammy towel (for got to add it in the picture with my soap and stuff.)
toilet paper
Jumper cables
Mini survival kit with sabercut saw, whistle, signal mirror, wetfire tinder, second blast match
kitty litter *works like sand in snow.*
notebook
canvas bag that contains half of this stuff
second canvas bag for the rest
and most important, Myself!
I know that there are some other things that I should put in, like a flashlight, (I just realized that!) Notice that I put HUGE emphasis on heat. I live in Minnesota, and it gets BASTARD cold here, if you cant keep warm, then you are in trouble! The fire sticks and other stuff I have in case I have to leave my car, or if I will be there a while. Heck with this kit, I can camp for a while if I need to. My first 72 hr kit for my car. Mostly I intend to stay with my car though.
Most of this stuff I was able to get for under $10, and some I even got for a $1 or less, so building your own kit is not really that expensive. Just make sure that you make your personal kit relevant to you. I am a woman, so I added in some lady stuff. Plus how many other kits do you know have extra socks and boots? Sometimes that is a good thing to add in, especially if you live in very cold, or very damp places, the last thing you want is cold and / or wet feet. This is just somethings to think about when you make your own bag. I encourage you guys to do your research on this. However, this is my first bag, so it is a work in progress. I think so far so good.
Stuff to add:
Dry food
energy bars
flashlight
fishhooks
beef up my first aid kits, I know it is a good start, but it is just a start.
Monday, January 17, 2011
I am still alive!
Yes, I am still here! I have just been having some personal issues to deal with, however, i should be having some articles up in the next few days. I usually keep to posting an article a week, but with the holidays and all, I have been busy. As a little preview, I will have topics like 'what we can learn from animals' and more articles on dehydrating. So stay tuned!
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