Saturday, 24 September 2016

Survival Secrets For 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.

With water available, it will undoubtedly be easy to live a comfortable life. Since this type of living cuts you off the supply line for cooking gas, you should think about how you will prepare your meals. You can make an earthen stove using clay or arrange some rocks to provide a platform for your cooking activities.

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.

Communication is an important factor that you should think of before moving. In essence, going off grid means you will only have to use natural means to communicate. This essentially means no phones and other electronic communication equipment. If you are used to using your smart phone all the time, you should try to master some of the skills used in communication before the technological era. Television will also be a thing of the past. As such, learn how to get by without it beforehand.

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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