Sunday, September 25, 2016

How To Survive When Living Off The Grid

By Frances Edwards


Sometimes, it takes a little break from the hustle and bustle of normal life for one to be able to refresh and do away with stress. If you fancy the idea of living off the grid, you should be prepared for an experience quite different from what you are accustomed to. This means living away from your friends and doing away with the likes of electricity, piped water and other community utilities.

To start off your new found life, you ought to do some preparation. For starters, you must know the climate of the area you will be residing in. Find out whether you can cultivate your own garden for subsistence. In the past, families used to plant all the food they needed right outside their homes. This meant they were self sustained round the clock.

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.

Getting firewood should not be a hard thing to do if the area is largely forested. To have an easy time when the day comes, it is advisable to master the art of staring fires using firewood beforehand. With a well lit bonfire, you should keep insects and other predators away at night whilst staying warm.

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 your survival, it would be prudent to choose a spot that is located down a slope. This is advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will ensure you get immediate access to water from natural sources. Water cannot flow uphill without a pump. The location will help water get into your tanks from uphill through gravity. Furthermore, you will be shielded from harsh weather conditions such as strong winds.

The greatest trick to surviving for the longest time possible lies in how you set up your home. Ensure it is well insulated using good windows and roofing material. Also ensure there is enough entry space for sunlight. Lastly, always use low combustion firewood in your fireplace during winter.




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