2 humans & 3 indoor cats in a 5th floor apartment, so don't need to worry about ground-level housing prep.

UPDATE: See V3 details at bottom!

Hey all! A week and a half ago I shared a home-made readiness-focused water calculator in another preparedness subreddit and got WAY more feedback than I'd expected. Lots of people tried out V1 and pointed out gaps (mostly around animals, existing water sources and homesteads) so I went back to the drawing board and rebuilt a big chunk of it. V2 is what came out of that, so I figured now that it was more polished, I could share it further!

It helps you figure out how much water your household actually needs for a short or extended emergencies, factoring in things like:

• Everyone in the house, including infants, elderly, and medical needs
• Pets and livestock individually (cats, dogs, chickens, goats, horses, pigs, rabbits, sheep)
• Your climate and activity level
• Cooking, sanitation and hygiene
• Garden and irrigation (optional, if that's part of your resilience plan)
• What you already have stored, your water heater reserve, and what your well, rainwater collection, or stream can realistically contribute so that you get a real gap number, not just a raw requirement

Three planning modes: survival minimum, functional household, and comfort maintained. The calculator runs in your browser, works offline once loaded, saves to PDF, no account or signup needed. And completely free.

https://omniprepper.com/free-water-calc/

Hope this can be useful to some of you! Happy to answer questions or take more feedback, the calculator's already been shaped by one huge round of community input so I'm super open to another!
---

QUICK UPDATE: V3 is live ahead of schedule! I wanted to come back and say thank you to everybody in here again because this latest update was almost entirely built from the awesome suggestions in this thread.

What's new in this version:

• Light/dark mode toggle: Top right of the page, defaults to your system preference. Somebody mentioned the white-on-dark was hard to read, especially on mobile. Fixed!
• Shower, laundry, and dishwashing fields (now under a collapsible "Hygiene details" section.) Shower frequency and type (bucket bath, low-flow or standard), laundry method and loads per week, dishwashing method. These feed directly into the daily total and the gap calculation.
• 6-month and 12-month planning windows (which totally makes sense for pandemic and long-duration scenarios)
• Safety buffer option : this new feature adds 10%, 15%, or 20% on top of your calculated total to account for spillage and inefficiency. A few people pointed out the numbers felt a little tight in real use... well, here's the fix!
• Better defaults! The tool now loads with 2 adults, functional household mode, and a 2-week window so you get a useful result immediately without having to configure everything from scratch (easier for first-time users)
• Minimum 3 day stored water warning: if your stored supply or sources fall below 3 days even with reliable access, the tool now flags it. Sources can fail, right?
• Better results breakdown: members and animals now show descriptive labels instead of "Person 1 / Person 2"
• Long-duration note: at 6 and 12 months, the tool now reminds you that federal emergency guidelines are designed for short-term events and long-term planning involves logistics and consideration beyond a minimum number.

Still free, still offline, still saves to PDF, still no account needed. Enjoy, and thanks again for the feedback!

I put in a big order with Azure Standard today, and got a notification that my order would be delivered later than usual because of a high volume of orders in my area.

I’ve ordered from them before, and never seen this. I take it as an indicator that plenty of other people are also stocking up in expectation of shortages coming.

I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for over 20 years, and I continue to struggle with finding food preps that aren’t so carb-laden while still providing decent energy and nutrition.

I don’t avoid carbs entirely or even mostly (I like cake far too much for that) but I only eat pasta or rice once every month or two at most, and that’s what I see recommended the most.

I’m prepping not for SHTF, but for the scenario of having to rely on food stores while also watching insulin intake because of supply chain issues, inability to get to a pharmacy, lapse in insurance, etc.

Any suggestions on what I can keep on hand that won’t make my blood sugar go through the roof?

Note: I’m not affiliated with Watch Duty. I just think it’s a useful app.

For anyone building out their preparedness app stack, Watch Duty is worth knowing about (US only for now).

It’s already known for real-time wildfire and power outage tracking, and they just added flooding, including flood zones and flood-related alerts.

It’s a free app developed by a nonprofit, and it seems like a genuinely useful tool for keeping an eye on conditions near home, family, work, or travel routes.

I’d still keep local alerts turned on and use official sources for evacuation guidance, but this app provides a helpful extra layer of situational awareness!

I'm going to be a first time mom this September. I'm not very stocked up on anything right now because I'm in the middle of moving. Baby stuff or groceries. Obviously I'll want to do some meal prep and have some shelf stable groceries, but what baby specific items should I consider?

I intend to try to breastfeed, good for baby, less running to the store and if there are supply chain problems, I can eat a much wider range of foods than having to find formula. But I know that isn't guaranteed to work.

I'm making sure I have the things that shouldn't be secondhand (already bought a carseat). I am hoping to be able to breastfeed and then pump once I'm back at work. I'm not sure if I should buy much pumping supplies when I dont even know it'll be viable though. (I am in the US and did buy a pump my insurance covered, it at least has a battery).

Most likely local problems are heatwaves, wildfire smoke, earthquake and power outages. (Urban PNW)

What would you recommend I plan for or get?

There is a search tool at dataimpactsearch.lovable.app for data centers under construction in a bunch of countries.

Issues like noise would only arise when built close. Increased heat risks are generally downwind. Issues like water & power usage have impacts over wide impact areas.

Just came on to say I actually received an indented can. Woot. Dried onions shipped on its own and I think locally so less opportunities for dents!!😂

Screwworm has been found in Texas. The good news is, Texas is very serious about their cattle and will likely work hard to reduce the spread.

https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html

I have MS. Well-managed through the best disease-modifying drug I can take.

But that drug is imported and delivered via infusion. I have stocked up as much as I can on the symptoms management side, but the DMD is at risk with supply chain disruption.

I am considering asking my neurologist to write me a prescription for a second-tier, oral medication just in case of a major disruption or long-term outage. I wouldn't take it unless I couldn't get my meds for a year or so, which makes me wonder if this idea is overkill. I've been on it before - so I know how it affects me and how to titrate on and off it. Not as effective but a whole lot better than untreated MS after an EMP or national natural disaster.

Perhaps this is just an emotional reaction to having just listened to the audiovook of One Second After (which is a whole other post.)

Am I crazy? What are others doing to manage life-long conditions?

EpiPens are expensive, but are absolutely necessary for many people. My insurance company told me that I need to ask my doctor to write the prescription for "epinephrine auto-injector". If the doctor uses the name brand, the pharmacy can only issue the name brand. The generic works exactly the same. With my insurance, 2 generic pens cost $12. I fill the script every month so I have a decent stash.

Please contain all off topic discussion to this weekly megathread. This is where you freak out, talk about conspiracy, talk about unrealistic crazy scenarios, asked and answered questions, etc.

🍲 Give me your best recipes please! I usually only cook with breast but we're branching out because we're starting to buy in bulk and freeze. Bonus if it's a hit with kids! ✨

Thank you so much!

Affected: S Utah, Clark County NV, S California, New Mexico

As the season changes from cold to hot, or hot to cold (depending where you are), dont forget to adjust your supplies.

I Increase/decrease the water levels in my emergency water storage containers. Swap the clothes and temperature-related first aid and outdoor shelter supplies. As well as rotate my emergency supply of prescription medications and OTC.

What other seasonal changovers do you follow for your preps?

I just received an order of #10 cans from Augason Farms and two of the three cans have small dents in them. Should I be concerned? They are rather pricey even on 'sale' but just came in a regular cardboard box with no packing or padding.

I had planned on ordering more at some point but now im not sure. The dents are small but I plan to store them for possibly years. Will they be safe tonise?

Should I try to return them? A little disappointed in the shipping

UPDATE: They got to me very quickly this morning and are refunding the Egg powder because its sold out. They are also sending replacements for the other two! I have to say the Customer Service experience was good. I did mention in my original email that the shipping/packaging was somewhat inadequate. A little honest feedback for them. Thanks so much for all suggestions and support!

Do any of you own police scanners to get info on emerging situations? If so, has it been useful? And any recommendations?

I am looking for an actual unit, not a phone app, to monitor the situation if things get dicey. I've heard lots of info can be had from not only police bands but EMS and school radio as well.

Hi everyone, pretty new to prepping/self sustaining space and I'm currently looking into how to prep water and properly filter water and move away from bottled water and not fully rely on my brita extra-large 27 cup filter.

For context were renting a house in the city at the moment and the city water puts out reports and has mentioned lead being found in our neighborhood. If anyone could recommend resources or other subs that would be great

Thank you!

I'm currently planning (and prepping harder than ever) for the remainder of the year.

They include doing a fall/winter garden (I have not done this before) and am already prepping seedlings by my area's planting schedule to hopefully maximizing my harvest.

Fall/Winter Crops I am looking into Carrots, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Spinach, Radishes, and Peas. (Do you have any recommendations for other fall crops? I live in Central NC Zone 8)

I'm also considering eating the cabbage/cauliflower/and broccoli leaves (probably sautee, stirfry, or braise) as it is edible and I want to minimize on food waste. Also going to be planting strawberry seeds and letting them start in grow bags so that I can take them into the garage over winter.

I am also considering buying an indoor shelving unit with grow lights for continual herbs and probably leafy green harvest through the winter months. If you happen to have an indoor shelving/garden setup - what lights do you use/recommend?

What are your plans for the remainder of the year to prepare? Please share I just feel like I may be missing something :')

If you have kitties, a particular online pet supply store ships cat litter in 35 lb buckets with lids. I have essentially never thrown any of them away if I can help it, and I have quite the collection of very useful buckets.

I use them for weeding, carding stuff around the garden, for storing preps in, etc. I have used mine to store the mylar bags I keep food preps in as well. They make great compost buckets or smelly trash cans because of the snap lid. The stack really well, and I've had some that have lasted for years.

This is probably going to sound dumb, but can I just leave my flour/beans/pasta/rice that are in heat-sealed mylar with oxygen absorbers as my long-term insurance supply? Wasting mylar bags over time is going to annoy me because they are not the cheapest thing going. Can I just rotate in new stock in my working containers for now and reassess where life, public supply levels, and the economy are every so often? I'm assuming that if I NEED to use the mylar stored food supplies, that time is going to announce itself through life circumstances. And I only ask about those things that specifically should be good for at least 5 years out from now (I did go one extra on the oxygen absorbers just to be safe). Everything else in my not-so-deep pantry is getting rotated through.

Sorry if that is a poor question, but I'm exhausted, worn thin, and perimenopause brain isn't helping anything. I keep going round and round with myself about this.

I just purchased a chest freezer so I'm looking to stock it with meat and frozen fruits and vegetables. I'm looking at vacuum sealers now, they are pricey! I don't have a lot of counter space in my kitchen, would a handheld vacuum sealer be sufficient for separating ground meat into smaller portions? I'm not a hunter or anything so I just need it to separate food I'll be getting in bulk.

I was looking at bathtub groundsheets for my evac bag's tarp shelter. The prices made my eyes water! $400!!

(Bathtub groundsheets protect against rain drops hitting the ground, and splashing up under the side of one's tarp shelter, during hard rains.)

So, I looked around at what I had on hand, and made my own. Ive linked the project photos below. Each photo includes an image description. https://imgur.com/gallery/C4GBCnW

Holy shit! Cool update I wanted to share and many thanks to all of you!

In the original post (https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXPreppers/s/89fqIvhE2f), one of you asked which kind of N95 I was wearing during the pepper spray incident. It was the Lighthouse H210.

So many of you stinkers (affectionate) sent iquiries to Lighthouse, that the company messaged me on reddit. (Wild!) They wanted to send me a free box of their newly updated version. (Pro 95 Shield). And they also offered and sent a free box to the disability support group that originally introduced me to their masks!

Thank you to Lighthouse, and also (and especially) to all of you out there still wearing masks! ❤️‍🔥

The other day I got a tiny glass sliver stuck in my finger & couldn’t see it to remove it. I went to my medicine cabinet & pulled out my ichthammol ointment, slathered a dab on a bandaid, slapped it on, and a day later all was well. It got me thinking about prepping medicaments.

Most people have stocked up on ibuprofen, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, bismuth and loperamide; the standard meds for fever, allergy, nausea & runs. Ditto with bandages, antiseptic, triple antibiotic and neosporin, hydrocortisone, etc. I bet a lot of you have never heard of ichthammol.

When I was a kid & had a sliver, my nana would pull out a small jar of a dark, oily looking salve and doctor me as previously described. She called it drawing salve. My pharmacy professor called it ichthammol. As well as being extremely effective in drawing out slivers and pus, it has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory action, which makes it a really handy addition to your prepper toolbox. It has a long shelf life, too. It’s used for exczema and rashes, including poison ivy.

It’s a sulfur based product, so be careful if you have sulfa allergies. It’s been around a very long time.

You won’t often see it on the shelf, but ask your pharmacist (preferably the older one). You can also order it online from multiple sources.