SURVIVAL LIGHTING : Part 1 of 6 – Power Outages (“Black-Outs”) .

These are also commonly refered to as ‘Blackouts’.

Power Outages are in many ways similar to earthquakes – they can occur without warning and they are not limited to a particular season of the calendar year or region of the world.

The power outage can be the result of a number of factors OR combination of factors :

• bad weather, extreme cold/hot
• other destructive weather phenomena such as heavy rainfall, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, bush fires
• earthquakes, tsunamis.

Origins of power outages.

Of all the threats that our back-up plans seek to address, a blackout is one of the most likely to occur. When part of the power grid fails, the affected area can be without power for hours, days and sometimes even weeks.

The causes of power outages are diverse. Power cuts can result from technical failures, but the increase in extraordinary climatic events (extreme heat, cold spells, storms, floods, electromagnetic disturbances of space origin, etc.) in recent years suggests that the threat is more serious comes rather from that side.

Of all the threats that our back-up plans seek to address, a blackout is one of the most likely to occur. When part of the power grid fails, the affected area can be without power for hours, days and sometimes even weeks.

The causes of power outages are diverse. Power cuts can result from technical failures, but the increase in extraordinary climatic events (extreme heat, cold spells, storms, floods ..

 

electromagnetic disturbances of space origin, etc.) in recent years suggests that the threat is more serious comes rather from that side.

Nevertheless, the “strange” activity detected around power and nuclear power plants in recent years (drones) may suggest that terrorists are seeking to attack these strategic points to weaken our economy and cause industrial disasters. Cyber attacks are also increasing on the systems of these sites, so the threat is real and serious.

It should also be noted that sheer bad luck can and has led to a tiny, but nonetheless significant number of power outages ……

However, it would’nt be right to lay the problem only at squirrels ….

Immediate consequences of a power failure.

 

The immediate consequences of a power failure are:

• The immediate shutdown of the distribution of electricity to homes

 

• The neutralization of modern means of communication (fixed and mobile telephony, internet),
• The extinction of public lighting in cities and on highways,
• The immobilization of transport dependent on electricity (trains, trams, metro, etc.),
• The shutdown of businesses, industry and their supply and distribution channels,
• The physical closure of neighborhood banks which will also become unreachable and the end of the distribution of cash,
• The deprivation of modern comfort in the homes (lighting, cooking, heating, refrigeration). In short, anything that works with electricity.

How to prepare for a power outage.

During the first days of such a scenario, the disruption of fuel supply circuits for transport will cause shortages at petrol pumps but also in businesses that will no longer be supplied by carriers. 

Those in this situation will have to face aggressive and panic crowds at the best of times as well as to looters. At this point,it will not be possible or for that matter realistic to rely on the emergency services (police, firefighters, who will already be overwhelmed. 

If the power outage lasts a week or more, chaos and tensions will spread rapidly as stocks of supplies money, food, water, medicine, fuel, dwindle.

Therefore,  it is necessary to store at home to compensate for the lack of light, heating, refrigeration and cooking means to continue living in the best possible conditions. Also anticipate the decommissioning of elevators and garage doors. I recommend that you figure out how to operate these manually before being faced with a fait accompli and not being able to get your vehicle out when you need to do this most urgently.

A number of specific issues must be taken into account to deal with an electrical blackout:

• Lighting & the emergency/auxiliary power supply
• Food and water
• Additional heating and cooking
• First Aid Kit & Medications
• Communication

(1) Lighting etc.etc

There is nothing worse for morale than a house or apartment in complete darkness, don’t ignore emergency lighting. It is vital that you store something for lighting your habitation during a blackout and  in an easily accessible place. 

For example, have plenty of candles and count at least one LED lantern per room and one torch per person. Also, keep enough batteries to keep these lanterns running for several days in a row during the dark evenings and night times. 

If the power outage is long-lasting and tensions start to appear, consider covering your windows as soon as night falls. Being the only well-lit house for miles around could get you in serious trouble – not,however, from the authorities !

 

Regarding emergency supply sources, there are back-up solutions so that you are not completely deprived of electricity in the event of a power failure. 

Recharging your smartphone, emergency lighting and powering your radio is possible without having to use the mains. 

On a final but very important reminder – visit our SURVIVAL LIGHTING section to read more about coping with power outages AND the need to have at your disposal a variety of lighting and power-charging devices .

(2) Food & Water

In other sections of our website we have discussed the importance of Food & Water preparedness in the likelihood of some form of interruption to the normal supply.

However, here is an alternative presentation which to all intents and purposes mirrors what we have discussed elsewhere namely in the Food and Water menu

 

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(3) Additional Heating & Cooking

Cook Safely. Warm meals can also be prepared without a stove. For example with a gas-powered camping stove that is easy to store and transport. This means that smaller meals can be prepared without any problems. Suitable gas cartridges for changing can be found in every hardware store.

A garden or table grill that runs on charcoal or gas can also be used for cooking without electricity. However, barbecuing should only take place outside, there is a risk of suffocation inside! For more advice and information go to our Camping Stoves & Accessories sub-section of the Food and Water menu.

(4) First Aid Kit & Medications

Details of supplies to take into account ALL family members (and pets !) is listed below .If special medications are already being taken, it’s not a bad idea to have an additional supply.

(5) Communication

A massive power cut would cause the immediate termination of fixed and mobile telephone services. Without power, no more television to keep informed. At least have a small battery-powered radio to keep you informed of developments. To reach your loved ones (elderly and / or dependent) you will have no other choice than to travel to meet them physically if you are not equipped with radio-transceivers. 

Unless the blackout has been going on for weeks and the situation has turned into utter chaos, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Survivalist Radio: criteria for choosing a Battery-operated emergency radio :

Battery stations are the most common on the market. The quality of the case varies according to the model but in general, the solidity of all the stations is appropriate. On the other hand, it will be necessary to pay attention to the antenna which is the fragile point.

Using standard batteries is a great idea as they can be purchased anywhere. Also, these radios do not consume much power. You can last for months with a set of 4 batteries.

When purchasing, pay attention to the following criteria:

Below is a worthy recommendation :