Extopian

WAPA is the Western Australian Police Academy. They regularly train their members in outback survival as well as share preparedness and training information with the general public. These ration packs are produced and issued by the Command and Land Operations Unit and are available in two menus and both have been designed to ensure food and vitamin needs are sufficient to meet daily requirements when involved in practical activities in the outdoors. I’ve decided to share add the information to Extopian because these could very easily be produced from supplies found at most traditional grocery stores; a real economic boon for those who want to add a 24 ration pack to their bug-out bag, car emergency kit or home disaster readiness plan without resorting to costly pre-made solutions.

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Drying or dehydration, the oldest method of food preservation, is particularly successful in the hot, dry climates found in much of New Mexico. Quite simply, drying reduces moisture necessary for bacterial growth that eventually causes deterioration. Successful dehydration depends upon a slow steady heat supply to assure that food is dried from the inside to the outside. Drying is also an inexact art. Size of pieces, relative moisture, and the method selected all affect the time required to dehydrate a food adequately.

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Despite what many believe, you don’t have to spend large amounts of money on specially packaged foods to put away a sizable food store. You certainly can do this if you like, but what you’re doing is trading money (and a good deal of it) to save effort and time. Turn that equation around and you can save a lot of money if you’re willing to spend a bit more time and effort to get what you want.
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This is a sample list for a family of three. Your family needs may differ quite a bit, due to your meal preference, dietary or other special needs. However, if you use this list as a base, you won’t go hungry. It also allows for “guest” meals. This is a realistic pantry supply to last a year comfortably. Remember the biggest mistake of pantry-building though, rotate your supplies, using the oldest first, replenishing as you use, in order to keep relatively fresh foodstocks. If you have a family of 4, increase the amount by 25%, a family of 6, by 50%, and so on.

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Fireplaces and wood stoves are more efficient with each new decade. Heatilators, inserts, blowers, and a host of heating bells and whistles have rekindled the desirability of wood heat. Today, the key for enjoyment of that wood heat is in discovering many hot firewood resources that balance best with the checkbook.

Department of Energy figures reveal that the average cost of delivered cordwood nearly doubled in the last 10 years. By contrast, in that same period, the cost of utilities in most of the nation stabilized. The stark difference in cost between firewood and utilities combined to create the greatest decline of wood heating in history.

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Home storage of fuel is a necessity for homesteaders. Even if you are still on the grid, your truck, tractor, standby generator, etc. will still require fuel. I intend to offer appropriate methods of storage for LP gas, gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene. I will also offer some tips on safe fuel handling.

Fuel Types

LP Gas is one of the easiest fuels to store and also one of the most danger-ous. It is a highly versatile fuel which can be used to power internal combus-tion stationary engines, tractors, and other motor vehicles, as well as for cooking and heating. LP has two serious drawbacks: First, it must be stored under pressure to remain a liquid; any leak (which may not be visible) could leak away all of your fuel without your knowledge. Second, LP is only slightly heavier than air, and will dis¬perse at the exact ratio to produce an explosion. It will also “puddle” in low spots, waiting for an ignition source.

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