Just how prepared are you?

[Oakie]

Another must have is an old fashioned telephone that gets it's power from telecom not the mains, we asked a few people out our way if their phone was working, there answer was that they didn't know because the power was still off. ..

Yeah, I kept an old one for just that eventuality and it was invaluable as mobile coverage faded.

[Grumph]

Based on first hand experience ( didn't a lot of us get that) I'd add a wall mount for the torch to the kit - having it where you can find it is vital.
I knew where ours was - but the hall cabinet it was on had gone over...
Maybe a pry bar too - a lot of people had to open stuck doors.

The spare keys is a good idea too - one of the people staying at Homebush had a usable car - but the keys were upstairs and no one was allowed back in...

And Ed it's worth repeating - water cylinder restraints - vital !!!
There are a lot of houses here sound but flooded because the cylinder moved.
On the other hand IMO the recommendation to screw cabinets to the wall is largely useless - ours would have had to be bolted to studs...

[Oakie]

On the other hand IMO the recommendation to screw cabinets to the wall is largely useless - ours would have had to be bolted to studs...

Studs are what mine are screwed into and the three cabinets in question didn't move. Well the cabinets themselves aren't screwed directly to the wall ... it's a wee 'L' shaped bracket, the bottom of which screws to the top of the cabinet and the upright part screws into the wall (stud). So glad I did that.

[scracha]

Have you considered how long the freezer will work for if the power is cut? If unopened they can last a while, but if you're opening it to get meat out regularly, you may want to consider a generator, great for fridges and freezers. I can get diesel powered generators as well.

Was the first thing I mentioned on the list. Primarily because last year we had 3 days without power (fuckin 2nd world country). I'd love a diesel genny but they're way too expensive for a Scotsman. Getting clever neighbour to hook me up with some solar panels and batteries for the shed......be cheaper than hooking it up to mains.

A cheap power inverter is also a gawdsend.

[Edbear]

Based on first hand experience ( didn't a lot of us get that) I'd add a wall mount for the torch to the kit - having it where you can find it is vital.
I knew where ours was - but the hall cabinet it was on had gone over...
Maybe a pry bar too - a lot of people had to open stuck doors.

The spare keys is a good idea too - one of the people staying at Homebush had a usable car - but the keys were upstairs and no one was allowed back in...

And Ed it's worth repeating - water cylinder restraints - vital !!!
There are a lot of houses here sound but flooded because the cylinder moved.
On the other hand IMO the recommendation to screw cabinets to the wall is largely useless - ours would have had to be bolted to studs...

They're called Seismic Restraints and are definitely a "Good Idea", available form your local plumbing merchant or call our free-phone 0508-446 892 and tell Jenni I recommended you call, that you're a KB'r and I said we'd give you a discounted price!

All good advice, mate!

Studs are what mine are screwed into and the three cabinets in question didn't move. Well the cabinets themselves aren't screwed directly to the wall ... it's a wee 'L' shaped bracket, the bottom of which screws to the top of the cabinet and the upright part screws into the wall (stud). So glad I did that.

Yup! WE have a very tall solid bookcase and it needs exactly that, as we also have a 4 year old grandson who could pull it over on himself...

Was the first thing I mentioned on the list. Primarily because last year we had 3 days without power (fuckin 2nd world country). I'd love a diesel genny but they're way too expensive for a Scotsman. Getting clever neighbour to hook me up with some solar panels and batteries for the shed......be cheaper than hooking it up to mains.

A cheap power inverter is also a gawdsend.

I can see what I can get a diesel gen for if you like, but the petrol ones are pretty cheap to run. Generator's have both 12vDC and 240vAC power, but I can also source inverters at a good price.

[Flip]

As a hunter I have enough food, water, camping gear, kW petrol generator, lights, torches, gas cooking gear to survive for ages.

The really funny thing is I have a boss who used to call me paranoid because I had a small pack at work with enough food (rat packs) water and shelter etc so I could walk home which would take me a full day as its 36km. On Monday 6th Oct I had a lot of satisfaction asking if he thought I was paranoid now.

[Grahameeboy]

So where would the safest place be to go in Auckland in the event of a volcanic eruption?

[Hitcher]

So where would the safest place be to go in Auckland in the event of a volcanic eruption?

Whangarei.

[avgas]

So where would the safest place be to go in Auckland in the event of a volcanic eruption?

Party Central, next to the red cross tents.

[avgas]

My son's response (he's in a flat across town) a few months ago when I asked him the OP's same question was..."I'll just come over to your place, Dad". Right...

Its funny you mention that - because that is what I have set as plan.
Chuck everything in the car, and drive to dads.
Even though its a couple of hundred km's away it has some benefits.
- Wine (he buys but doesn't drink)
- Water bore (sp?) + 100,000L tank
- Food
- Massive shed
- House made out of reinforced concrete (ex-cowshed)
- Rifles (in case of zombies)
- Lots of stuff for fires
- Couple of sticks of Jelly
- Diesel
- Petrol.....

So dads place is the safest place I can think of

[sinfull]

Whangarei.

But he'd never be able to return south....... oh wait !

Got to admit i have been thinking about it (must be gettin old)
My home water tank holds 25000L and have two 1000L tanks up at the land,
A freezer full of meat here and one full of pig food (yeah i'd eat it)(cooked) at the land plus another with club food !
We have three or 4 gas cylinders which are usually full up on the land, steam kegs, boil up pots and BBQ for cooking
A geny 2kva (petrol) under the bench in my garage and always have a couple of containers of gas here at home for the bikes (thinking deisel geny for long term feul storage but that can get a bug too)
Enough cans to last me a week as i never eat em, but i do have kids who'd make their way to mine, so might set up a cupboard and fill it with cans and dry goods !
rechargable torch 12v and 240
But everything's scattered around the house, we are looking at getting a container up at the land, so it could be a good excuse to set up a communal kit !
Several of the guys have weapons so fresh food aint a problem if shit drags on and a couple of pigs and a yearling cow to protect lol
I'm pretty sure most will make their way there with what they can carry and if there's any damage to the place we'll rebuild it with whats on the land !

Bring on armagetton lol

[scracha]

Several of the guys have weapons so fresh food aint a problem if shit drags on and a couple of pigs and a yearling cow to protect lol
I'm pretty sure most will make their way there with what they can carry and if there's any damage to the place we'll rebuild it with whats on the land !

Bring on armagetton lol

Remember the banjo, lube and condoms

[sinfull]

Remember the banjo, lube and condoms

That's a gimme ! Soddom girls rock

[Grahameeboy]

No correct answers so far....no surprise

[marie_speeds]

I have a quick bike, thats all I need.

I'm ready - I have a shot gun and three cases of shells ...

That's me set too.... and a case of Scotch..... Let's face it...if everythings screwed up and you can't get away on your quick bike and you've used up all your shells "hunting" you may as well be drunk

Oh and barbecue....