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Preppers

Northeast Mutual Support Group

184 replies

K9medic · 06/03/2022 10:47

Mutual Support Group (coffee club) Northeast

It would seem that at least 3 of us are Northeast (England) based, is there any more?

I tend to hangout on another UK based prepper related forum where we have MSG set up, the idea being we can help each other if and when there is a problem (ok we occasionally meet up for a coffee, natter and to swap ideas, well mainly coffee to be honest).

This has got me thinking about running this Topic along the same lines. A dedicated place to share local finds or post warnings relevant to the Northeast.

Thoughts on this?

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Workinghardeveryday · 26/04/2022 19:01

Thing is, how can you actually really prepare for nuclear? You can’t really - or I would given I live close to a big army and raf base....

K9medic2 · 03/06/2022 14:31

Hi, hows everyone doing?

Not sure what went wrong, but for some reason the site would not accept my user name (slight change and it works fine).

BobBobBobbing · 04/06/2022 10:43

Extension is halfway built which will make this winter a lot more comfortable as the room that was there before was single brick and very cold. The new one has insulation everywhere so we will be warm and not be spending a fortune just to get the kitchen to a habitable temperature.

Once the extension is complete I'm going to start winter prep given the price of gas and electric. Extra insulation is going in the loft, chimney sheep in the bedroom chimneys and a curtain for the front door. Plus I need to order the logs. Any one else thinking what they can do to prep for winter already?

FoolShapeHeart · 04/06/2022 11:02

I've bought a curtain to cover the front door. I've already got thermals, snow boots, hot water bottles & blankets, and silicone ready to seal any skirting board gaps. I'm concerned about energy & food price rises impacting this winter.

K9medic2 · 04/06/2022 12:10

Because my floor is raised, im slowly putting insulation hnder the floor boards and good quality underlay down as i can afford it

Dontdoitdontdoit · 27/12/2023 01:10

Hi all, is this thread still live/are you all still prepping away in the background? I'm back in the area and getting my bum into gear with tiny humans in tow. Managed to get my functional life network in place and now looking to expand this into a prepping network too. Hope to hear back from you. BW,

K9medic2 · 29/12/2023 10:11

I'm still prepping away, more of a life style for me, but nothing going on in the world at the moment makes me thing I am wasting time or money.

I haven't been on here for a while, combination of work, family etc cut my free time.

So how is everyone else, survived the Christmas holidays?

Dontdoitdontdoit · 29/12/2023 15:15

That's so good to hear. I'm hoping now I have time, space, am settled in one place and a little money to spare that it will be a lifestyle for me too. I hear you about the need for not resting on laurels given the world. Do you know if any groups which meet up? Christmas here was busy but good, my little ones are getting old enough to 'get it' now. I hope you had a lovely Christmas too?

K9medic2 · 29/12/2023 15:22

Depends on your area, I am on another Prepping forum (Yes I know, I have no loyalty) and we occasionally met up, but work and Covid sort of killed that bit off.

Since Covid people seem reluctant to meet f2f.

Dontdoitdontdoit · 29/12/2023 19:27

I'm around Tynedale. It's a shame things haven't picked up post pandemic but good to know why I'm perhaps finding it a bit tricky to find groups. I'm happy to do f2f if you/others fancy. I'm cracking away at my craft skills while I'm building up everything else so always happy to do cuppa, crafts and knowledge transfer partnerships.

K9medic2 · 01/01/2024 13:15

Happy New Year to everyone

RainbowZebraWarrior · 11/01/2024 15:14

Happy New Year, all.

I'm just sitting in the car waiting for DD to come out of school, musing as to what weather we may get next week. It does look like temps are dropping. I'm a mile inland from Whitley Bay and it's currently 6 degrees, but feels much colder. Obviously we've had Easterly and Northerly winds in the past few days which makes it feel colder.

I've let basic supplies drop down a bit as my pantries were getting impossible to keep on top of. I've just got a nice amount, now. I've topped the freezer up with protein (mostly chicken) after using the Christmas food.

The wood shed and garage are stacked up, but I hate going out to fill the log basket, so I'm going to bring some of the seasoned wood into the conservatory. Running low on bread flour, and going to get some part baked baguettes as if we do have a spell of poor weather, I'm happy as long as I have a supply of hot sandwiches and tea!

Hope everyone is doing OK.

K9medic2 · 11/01/2024 21:59

I have been teaching in Stockton all week, so about 60 miles each way. Driving back tonight temperature was noticeable down.

To be honest I am as well prepared as I can be at home for a spell of cold weather, and if I did get stuck in the van I have my get home bag (winter) with me.

Between Christmas an New Year I had the kids making jam jar lights (garden solar lights in a jam jar). I find they work better if you swap the batteries out for better quality rechargeable ones. We now have enough for every room in the house. Ok they are not bright enough to read by, but fine for moving about the house.

My biggest worry is trouble in the gulf sending prices up or causing a fuel shortage. I never let the van get below half anyway and I have a couple jerry cans, but that would soon run out.

Dontdoitdontdoit · 13/01/2024 10:33

Happy belated New Year! I've just come back from working in the North East of Scotland and the temperatures are still a couple of degrees colder there as they ought to be but definitely noticing the drop. I find it harder to keep track of over the last ten years ago as there doesn't seem to be designated seasons anymore, just a mish mash of warmer and colder periods. I'm prepared for subzero in the hills this weekend. In Scotland, there was fast freeze sheet ice for a couple of nights which was a bit daunting. I wanted to ask if anyone has top tips for essential medical type supplies for small people?

K9medic2 · 13/01/2024 14:53

Funny you should say that, but my cpd this month is peadiatrics.

Its not my strong suit, so i have been reading up on it and spent the last two days on an pead trauma course.

Is there anything in part particular you need to know ?

FoolShapeHeart · 13/01/2024 21:30

A very belated happy new year to us all, let's just creep in quietly and try not to spook 2024...

@RainbowZebraWarrior yes it's been brassic here, I feel like I've not been properly warm for days.

@K9medic2 I'm also interested in any suggestions you have, nothing specific though that's probably that I don't know what I don't know! MiniFool is a bit of a daredevil, which brings its own set of possible complications 😬

I don't know that I'm any less prepared than last year, but I don't /feel/ very well prepped at the moment 🤷🏼‍♀️ I think it might just be that I've not given it very much head space recently 🤞🏻

ToastieSnowy · 13/01/2024 22:16

Belated Happy New Year to you all too.

I’ve used up most of my prepper stores with cost of living. It’s been a godsend but I’m at the stage where I’m getting nervous about not having enough. That doesn’t include washing powder or toilet roll, so at least we’ve got hygiene covered even if we’re cold and hungry. 😅

On the medical supplies have some emergency burn gel in your kit, antiseptic wipes, small sharp scissors, I prefer the hydrocolloid plasters but they are more expensive. Have some Zovirax in if you’re prone to cold sores too.

Dontdoitdontdoit · 13/01/2024 23:47

It's a relief to hear that I'm not alone in feeling not as prepared as I'd like to be. Great tips @ToastieSnowy any recommendation on burn gel? I just bought two pairs of new hairdresser scissors as they remain the sharpest ones I've ever bought. I second @FoolShapeHeart on any tips for handling emergency breaks and head injuries in the absence of immediate medical assistance and personally, anything you pick up (or know in advance) about managing respiratory issues (bronchiolitis/asthma) without medication/inhalers.

K9medic2 · 14/01/2024 15:17

First of all, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. So, I highly recommend going on a good first aid course. If its children you are interested in, then look for the 12-hour Paediatric course. But remember the syllabus we teach on those courses is aimed at professional help arriving within the “Golden Hour”. Most of the skills are transferable to a longer wait, so you could say to the trainer I often go walking in the hills how would I change this, rather than I am a prepper and the SHTF.

The foundation of all first aid is A - Airway, B - Breathing, C – Circulation. Everything is an airway, breathing or circulatory problem. So, for example, drink hot water it effects the airway, which swells and stops breathing. Spill the hot water on your arm, the airway and breathing are unaffected, but the blisters and shock effect the circulatory problem.

Use D.O.T.S to assess for a fracture. Deformity, Open fracture, Tenderness (or pain) Swelling.

Treatment for fractures is relatively simple, it does not matter if it is the neck, or the little finger keep it still. How you do that is the difficult part. I do like simple splints like the SAM or cardboard for arms, legs and joints. For a neck it is hold their head still and wait on an ambulance.

Broken bones are of course a circulatory problem, trapped blood vessels, bleeding and shock. But a damaged neck could affect the brains ability to control the diaphragm and lungs (breathing problem).

Remember the above is a very simplified version of what we teach, and yes I do teach first aid as a living, that I have typed out over a coffee and not as in depth as you will get on a course.

ToastieSnowy · 16/01/2024 13:07

I have Boots Emergency Burn gel, it’s a 60ml bottle so perfect for store. I was very relieved to have it when I burnt myself

K9medic2 · 16/01/2024 18:01

Tried hard to snow here today, temp on my garden thermometer is sitting at about -1c but add in a stiff breeze and the wind chill will be well below that.

Tonight's plan is get the kids outside looking at temperatures and judging wind speed as part of their survival badge.

Would not be surprised to wake to white stuff tomorrow.

How is everyone set for a cold spell ?

Dontdoitdontdoit · 16/01/2024 21:55

@K9medic Wow! message understood and gratefully received but still, overwhelmingly helpful. Thank you. Paediatric course would be great but inhibited by 60hr work weeks, caring responsibilities, multiple tiny people and catastrophic lack of spare funds. Are there any in England (having moved back from elsewhere) which are funded or subsidised?

Temperature hunt and survival badges sound excellent, what a lovely afternoon activity.

My snow/prep to do list is a million pages long and well behind where I'd like it to be but reminding myself I can't make the days longer and chipping away at it is about the best solace I can muster. Planning somewhat of a skive tomorrow once some anticipated money lands to focus on car maintenance for the snow, filling gerry can and pantry stocking of epic proportions.

Preparing for solar storm interference and outages following last nights 60k+ reports of power, phone and internet outages across T&W

Dontdoitdontdoit · 16/01/2024 21:56

@ToastieSnowy good shout, added to tomorrows list. Thanks so much

K9medic2 · 20/01/2024 08:13

So staying with the first aid theme, I have a day off tomorrow so I will produce some crib notes for the different sections I deliver in the Paediatric course. But theory will only get you so far.

For hands on practical, if you are employed try getting your employer to send you on a first aid course. Ok unless you work with kids it will be adult based, but honestly the physical techniques are the same (obviously with a lot of techniques you modify it for kids, if your doing chest compressions on me you would push harder than on a 3 year old).

If enough people are interested I am happy to run a free session or two on first aid in the northeast (so long as you are supplying the coffee). I don't have my own training centre so I would also need to charge room hire unless someone has a room big enough.

If you have any particular concerns let me know and I will add them to the crib sheets.

K9medic2 · 22/01/2024 08:29

How is everyone doing this morning? On the coast here we lost our power over night for about 3 hours, no great hardship for us as there are torches in every room. I have rechargeable lights, but they were not needed.

Even though there was plenty warnings to get ready yesterday, there are a few people asking for flasks of hot water etc for baby's bottles this morning. I'm dropping the youngest munchkin at school, then going to see one of my bosses if we need to checking up on the people who we know are vulnerable in our village. We normally use our old ambulance, she is old but she is fitted with a water heater 😊

Brizlee Wood the local RAF weather station is about 20 miles north of me, recorded windspeeds of 99 miles per hour during the night.