samedi 24 septembre 2016

How To Survive When Living Off The Grid

By Frances Edwards


At times, a good break from all the stress occasioned by normal life may mean living a secluded albeit self sustaining lifestyle. If you have ever fancied the thought of living off the grid, prepare yourself for a very different experience from what normal life dictates. You might want to prepare yourself psychologically for living without your friends nearby and getting by without piped water, electricity and other shared utilities.

Before you identify an ideal location, you must prepare in advance. To get on the right track, get a grasp of the general climate of the area. The place should experience sufficient rainfall to enable you to engage in agriculture. Subsistence farming has always been practiced by indigenous tribes since time immemorial. It helps ensure that food never becomes scarce.

As such, ensure you have the right tools for farming beforehand. Also look for a place with a permanent river nearby. This way, you can irrigate your crops without worrying about them withering. If the place is generally unsuitable for farming, think about looking for other locations. Access to water for drinking, cooking and agricultural purposes is very important.

Once you have water available, the other areas of concern will be easy to meet. With no cooking gas available, you should review your options for cooking. You may make a makeshift stove out of clay or use rocks to create a cooking platform.

You should also have absolutely no problem gathering firewood if you choose a spot that is surrounded by trees and bushes. To get a good grasp of surviving in the wild, start practicing how to make fires using any dry twigs you find close to where you are. When you light a bonfire at night when out in the wild, predators and disturbing insects will not come near you.

Your communication needs should also be well thought out before you move. Surviving off grid also means using natural techniques to communicate with others. Essentially, you will have to do without electronic communication gear. If you cannot fathom the thought of leaving home without your cell phone, it would be prudent to learn how to communicate without it early enough. Also remember that you will have no access to a television set. As such, prior preparation and anticipation is important.

For a smooth experience, it is wise to opt for a downhill location. There are several advantages that come with taking this step. For one, a downhill spot will guarantee a good supply of river and rain water. To flow uphill, water must always be pumped. Staying downhill will ensure your tanks get filled through gravity. Moreover, your home will always remain shielded during hailstorms.

It is also fundamentally important to construct your home with the weather in mind. Ensure it is well insulated. Furthermore, leave enough entry space for sunlight. Finally, use durable firewood during winter.




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