Why do we always reccomend dim lights with long runtime during outage?

[f22shift]

I lived through the NE blackout a 5 years ago. I don't remember seeing any rioters or looters in my parents neighborhood (where I lived at the time).

it wasnt long enough

it was fun. ppl drunk on the streets of nyc. ppl bbq'in their freezer stuff and having fun in the suburbs. the supermarket was even running on a backup generater.

 

[D-Dog]

I do live in a city so my perspective may be a little skewed but I am also referring to to an epic emergency, one that is a little more disruptive than a really inconvenient extended yet dangerous blackout. I believe that humans are capable of great compassion but I also believe that there is a primordial dark side where reason and compassion can be overridden. Think about our dependence on fuel for instance, how many people do you know that are or can be independent without grocery stores and no or little knowledge of agrarian techniques once that nice supply of fresh food runs out.

I will have to say that if such an "Epic" event were to occur, a flashlight, and a long running one at that probably satisfies some primordial fear of being without fire and light which we equate with safety and security. I may be a little paranoid 😗like some others that have posted before me but you know what they say about paranoia don't cha, "Paranoid people only know a little".:nana:

Youfoundnemo can kill deer...:nana:

But yea, we all remember the looting after Katrina, however, the event would have to be VERY extreme for large-scale looting, etc. I'm thinking EMP or nuclear strike or something of the sort

@f22shift -- don't forget no school for all of us who were "kids" back then

 

[Zatoichi]

I like to be prepared. At the same time, I refuse to adopt a survivalist mentality, and worrying about the country being thrown into a long term state of voilent anarchy. That's no life at all IMO. With a family of 4, I'd be hard pressed to store months worth of food in the lead-lined, anti-magnetic, zombie-proof, hidden bomb shelter, so batteries might soon be little comfort. If you're stuck in a dark hole so long that half a dozen good, sparingly used batteries won't get you through, you're probably doomed anyway. Dooomed I say, doomed! 😱

Obviously it's different if you live next to a volcano or something, and it's likely you'll face long periods without supplies from time to time, but this idea of needing to stock up on batteries (or prepare in any way at all) in case the rest of the population become criminally insane, for so long you might never see a new battery for months - if ever?! I'm not living in fear like that. I'm honestly more worried about my next credit card statement (after buying new lights, more batteries, a charger, a tester...). 😉

 

[D-Dog]

I'm honestly more worried about my next credit card statement (after buying new lights, more batteries, a charger, a tester...). 😉

too true on here I'm afraid

 

[saabgoblin]

I can't disagree with you Zatoichi, yeah there are some scenarios that I would prefer not to live through but I am getting more at extended catastrophes seeing as though I live in earthquake country. I am thinking 5-20 days, after that, I doubt that a flashlight would be your utmost concern. Five days without water and you are pretty much dead.

 

[D-Dog]

I believe water would quickly become the largest concern, especially when generators die on pumping stations or in the event of an earthquake/etc the water mains are broken. We use I forget how many gallons of water a day between showers, cooking, drinking and the infamous toilet to name a few... and quality of life would really suffer if this were to occur.

 

[carrot]

You nailed it. While many LOVE brightness (and I do too) my main interest is in long runtimes.

 

[Nochrome]

I like to be prepared. At the same time, I refuse to adopt a survivalist mentality, and worrying about the country being thrown into a long term state of voilent anarchy.

I think there's a middle ground here. It doesn't have to be a long term state of violent anarchy for things to get nasty. Katrina showed us that once the rule of law is absent society falls apart pretty quickly.
You don't have to have stores of food set aside in bunkers. Costco sells some decent emergency food kits for pretty cheap and you can just keep them in a cupboard (no lead lining required 😉)
A simple long running supply of low light is a necessary and sensible thing to think about in advance. Several solutions have been mentioned that will perform well and will not require huge stores of batteries.
The need for light in an extended power outtage should not be under estimated from a psychological standpoint especially when you've got kids.
IMHO I'ts true to say that lighting may not be your main concern but if you've prepared then it won't be a concern at all.

 

[Stereodude]

Katrina showed us that once the rule of law is absent society falls apart pretty quickly.

Perhaps, but it also showed us that when you have to evacuate you might want to do so instead of staying and complaining about the aftermath.

 

[Nochrome]

Well said. I couldn't agree more. A little common sense goes a long way.

 

[Zatoichi]

Yes Nochrome, being prepared for a power cut is sensible, and I agree many of the measures suggested have been sensible. What I'm not really into is preparing for some kind of apocalypse. Living in England I feel emergency food packs are a little outside that middle ground, but for some they'll be very prudent. Besides, I can live on tins of spagetti o's for a couple of weeks. 😀

 

[Cydonia]

I like to be prepared. At the same time, I refuse to adopt a survivalist mentality, and worrying about the country being thrown into a long term state of voilent anarchy. That's no life at all IMO. With a family of 4, I'd be hard pressed to store months worth of food in the lead-lined, anti-magnetic, zombie-proof, hidden bomb shelter, so batteries might soon be little comfort. If you're stuck in a dark hole so long that half a dozen good, sparingly used batteries won't get you through, you're probably doomed anyway. Dooomed I say, doomed! 😱

I would like to remind you that countless millions of people, every day, worldwide subsist on little more than rice and whole grains - the gap between utter starvation and death is only a few cents a day. You too... can and will subsist on such simple fare if/when SHTF. So... some sacks of rice and beans don't cost much. 5 gallon water jugs don't cost much. A good Swiss Katadyn ceramic water filter costs a bit more, but...

Don't throw in the towel and give up because the task of preparing sounds too shocking or impossibly daunting.
That's a sad "easy way out" that far too many choose to take... 🙁

 

[saabgoblin]

Perhaps, but it also showed us that when you have to evacuate you might want to do so instead of staying and complaining about the aftermath.

I agree but;
Let's not forget about building a city below SEA LEVEL and then rebuilding the same city and not raising the new buildings on stilts to solve the problem in the first place. All of the batteries and food in the world won't help out in that scenario.:thinking:

 

[Zatoichi]

Don't throw in the towel and give up because the task of preparing sounds too shocking or impossibly daunting.
That's a sad "easy way out" that far too many choose to take... 🙁

I don't find the prospect of storing grain and water daunting, I see it as being almost completely unnecessary where I live. If I'm going to prepare for things that will probably never happen, where is it going to end? I choose not to live like that. I'm prepared for events that I believe there's a significant chance of happening. Thus far and no further for me.

 

[Cydonia]

I agree but;
Let's not forget about building a city below SEA LEVEL and then rebuilding the same city and not raising the new buildings on stilts to solve the problem in the first place. All of the batteries and food in the world won't help out in that scenario.:thinking:

In the beginning it wasn't below sea level so much... the alluvial that it was built on has subsided over time. There was an attempt to get laws implemented to require the rebuilt houses to be 3 feet (1 metre) higher than they previously were. The outcry from citizens and their action groups was deafening. So it was dropped. Moral is, you can't save people from themselves. It's an untenable case now though. The costs to "save" it from the foaming Sea waves of old Neptune would be utterly outlandish :laughing:

 

[Nochrome]

Besides, I can live on tins of spagetti o's for a couple of weeks. 😀

Before I was married I proved that you can survive on spaghettio's just fine 🙂

 

[maxa beam]

In the beginning it wasn't below sea level so much... the alluvial that it was built on has subsided over time. There was an attempt to get laws implemented to require the rebuilt houses to be 3 feet (1 metre) higher than they previously were. The outcry from citizens and their action groups was deafening. So it was dropped. Moral is, you can't save people from themselves. It's an untenable case now though. The costs to "save" it from the foaming Sea waves of old Neptune would be utterly outlandish :laughing:

The levies and canals worked fine versus the late hurricanes

Before I was married I proved that you can survive on spaghettio's just fine 🙂

The Spaghetti-oes and Frozen Dinner diet?

Ugh.. I remember.

 

[saabgoblin]

Can you say the Donner Party, then again, I do live in earthquake country and once you have experienced a concrete building roll like a wave you realize how fragile we are. I see it as living as comfortably through a rough patch then I can always eat insects, rats, and especially pigeon, I hear that they are really fantastic especially stuffed with dandelions.:nana:I agree that it can go too far but I really like what an old friend says about being prepared.

"I enjoy having everything planned out with all of the details put in place so I can just sit back and relax while I watch all of my plans fall apart".

All kidding aside, they don't call them catastrophes and disasters for no reason and if having a long running light and whatever else at hand that will put your mind at ease then so be it. I guess it all depends on your level of neurosis weighted against your probabilities. "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail" So what are your risk factors and then figure from there but keep that case of Twinkies because all of those preservatives will help you last through just about anything.

 

[jusval]

Power outages?

Funny, I guess I'm too old........... I use candles..........

or the fireplace.........

When the power goes out, I only use the flashlight to get to the nearest candle.......😉

 

[saabgoblin]

You're not too old, you are just seasoned as long as you don't have a gas leak in the house, if you do then you will be seasoned and fried.:nana:Now I need an explosion proof flashlight fore emergencies, oh yeah, I already have one.

Now I can't wait til someone makes a joke about being old and having a gas leak 😳I just did.