Table of Contents
Foreword xv
1 An Introduction to Self-Reliance
- An Uncertain Future 1
- Technology Failures Are Common 2
- Why This Book? 4
- Be Prepared 5
- Preindustrial Self-Sufficiency 6
- Old-Fashioned Self-Reliance and
Modern Sustainable Technology 7
- References 8
2 Present Trends, Possible Futures
- Do the Right Thing 10
- The Main Threats to Our Future 10
- A Perspective on Relative Threats 11
- The Eco-Threat 12
- Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming 14
- Deforestation 16
- Systems Modeling and Systems Response 18
- Feedback 19
- Overshoot and Carrying Capacity 20
- Limiting Factor and Drawdown 21
- Collapse 22
- Sources and Sinks 23
- Sustainability and Limits to Growth 24
- The World’s Oceans 25
- The Economics of Climate Change 27
- Peak Oil 27
- EROEI, Petroleum, and Biofuels 29
- Facts about Oil and Other Energy Sources 31
- The Bio-Threat 32
- The Terrorism Threat 34
- Other Important Trends 35
- Water and Food 35
- Depletion of the Ozone Layer: A Modern Eco-Success Story 36
- Polar Ice Caps 36
- Earthquakes and Volcanoes 37
- Prophecies 38
- What Can I Do? 40
- References 41
- Resources 45
3 Supplies and Preparations
- Are You Prepared? 49
- Planning for the Short Term 50
- Short-Term Preparedness Checklist 50
- 72-Hour “Grab-and-Run” Survival Kits 51
- First-Aid Kits 52
- Earthquake Precautions 53
- In the Event of an Earthquake 53
- Long-Term Planning and Storage 54
- Basic Supplies and Portable Equipment 54
- Calculating a Year’s Food Supply 55
- Storage Tips 57
- Dry Ice Fumigation 57
- Vacuum Packaging 58
- Mouse Traps and Rat Poisoning 58
- Shelf-Life Guide 58
- Notes on Camping Gear 59
- Tents 59
- Clothing 59
- Sleeping Bags 60
- Insulating Sleeping Mats 60
- Backpacks 60
- Stoves 60
- Cookware 61
- Footgear 61
- Firearms 61
- Planning for the Long-Term Future 62
- References 62
- Resources 63
4 Emergency Measures for Survival
- Survival Strategies 66
- Basic Strategies 67
- Compact Survival Kit 69
- Developing a Survivor Personality 71
- Typical Survivor Personality Traits 72
- Intuition: A Survivor’s Powerful Ally 72
- Water 75
- Requirements 75
- Recommended Emergency Measures 75
- Dehydration 75
- Conserving Water 75
- Fire 76
- Starting a Fire with Matches 76
- Starting a Fire with Flint and Steel 77
- Starting a Fire with Bow and Drill 77
- Starting a Fire with a Hand Drill 79
- Starting a Fire with a Fire Plough 79
- Food 80
- Basic Guidelines 80
- Plants 80
- Insects, Grubs, and Worms 82
- Shelter 82
- Location 82
- Squirrel’s Nest 83
- Building on Fallen Trunks and Trees 83
- Scout Pits and Coal Beds 83
- Snow Shelters 83
- Emergency Snow Shoes 84
- Cordage 84
- Recommended Plant Fibers 84
- Fiber Test 85
- Preparing Fibers 85
- Spinning Fibers into Cord 85
- Splicing 86
- Simple Tools 86
- Discoidal Stone Knives 87
- Bone Tools 88
- Surviving a Nuclear Disaster 88
- Types of Nuclear Threats 88
- Protecting Yourself from Direct Radiation 89
- Protecting Yourself from Radioactive Contamination 90
- References 91
- Resources 94
5 Water
- Water Requirements 96
- Stocking Up for Emergencies 96
- Guidelines for Coping with Disaster 97
- The World’s Water Crisis 98
- Fossil Aquifers and Virtual Water 98
- Water Pollution 99
- Types of Contamination 100
- Disinfecting Your Water 101
- Heat Sterilization 102
- Portable Water Filters 102
- UV Sterilization—“SteriPEN” 103
- Mixed Halogens—MSR’s MIOX Purifier 104
- My Water-Treatment Recommendations 104
- Chemical Sterilization 105
- Preserving Water 108
- Using Silver to Preserve Water 108
- Treating and Finding Water the Low-Tech Way 108
Treating Water 109
- Finding Water 112
- Wells 113
- Protecting Your Water Source 115
- Modern Water Treatment 116
- Chlorine Treatment 116
- Ozone Treatment 116
- Activated Carbon Filtration 116
- Reverse Osmosis 117
- Distillation 117
- References 118
- Resources 119
6 Food: Growing, Foraging, Hunting, and Storing
- World Population and Food Supply 122
- Agricultural Productivity 122
- Irrigation Gains and Losses 123
- Genetically Engineered Foods 124
- Soil Health and Soil Losses 125
- Sustainable Agriculture 126
- Permaculture 128
- Grow Biointensive 129
- Double-Dug, Raised Beds 130
- Intensive Planting 132
- Composting 133
- Companion Planting 134
- Whole Gardening 135
- Seed Propagation 135
- Pest Control 135
- Extending the Harvest in Cold Climates 136
- Sprouting: Your Own Minigarden on a Windowsill 137
- The Sprouting Process 137
- Foraging for Food 139
- Brief Guide to Wild Edible Foods 139
- Poisonous Plants to Avoid 146
- Preserving and Storing Food 147
- Root Cellars and Other Cold Storage 147
- Drying and Smoking Food 148
- Preserving Meat 149
- Dairy, Tofu, and Tempeh 149
- Making Butter 150
- Ghee 150
- Yogurt 150
- Cheese 150
- Making Rennet for Cheese 152
- Raising Animals 152
- Hunting and Trapping 153
Bow and Arrow 153
- Traps 154
- Skinning and Cleaning 156
- Fishing 156
- Angling 157
- Catching Fish by Hand 157
- Spearing Fish 158
- Fishing with Net 158
- References 159
- Resources 167
7 Shelter and Buildings
- Green Buildings 170
- Green Certification and “Greenwashing” 172
- A Survey of Various Green Building Systems: Straw Bales 173
- In-Fill (Non-Load-Bearing) Straw Bale Construction 174
- Load-Bearing Straw Bale Construction 175
- Finishing Straw Bale Walls 176
- ICF 177
- SCIP 178
- “Green” Concrete 180
- Pumice-Crete 181
- SIP 181
- Earth-Based Building Systems 182
- Rammed Earth 183
- Adobe 188
- Cob 192
- Cast Earth 193
- Fire-Resistant Green Building 193
- Lessons from the 1993 Laguna Fire 194
- Green and Fire Resistant 195
- Banboo as a Green Building Material 195
- Passive Solar Design 196
- Passive Solar “Rules of Thumb” 196
- James Kachadorian’s Patented Solar Slab 200
- Preventing and/or Battling Mold 201
- Health Effects of Mold 201
- Identifying a Mold Problem 202
- Dealing with Mold 202
- Construction Tips for Preventing Mold 202
- Mat’s Mold Wisdom 203
- Traditional Low-Tech Structures 205
- Log Cabins 205
- Timber-Frame Construction 207
- Tipis, Yurts, Wickiups, and Wigwams 207
- Earthquake Resistance 211
- Improving Earthquake Resistance 212
- References 213
- Resources 221
8 First Aid
- Initial Evaluation 225
- Survey the Scene 225
- Consent and Liability 226
- ABCs of First Aid 226
- Treatment Priority 226
- Unconscious Victim 226
- CPR 229
- Survey for Injuries and to Control Bleeding 231
- Pressure Points 231
- Tourniquets 232
- Wounds 232
- Abrasions 232
- Incisions 233
- Puncture Wounds 234
- Abdominal Wounds 234
- Head Wounds 234
- Chest Wounds 234
- Choking 234
- Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts) 235
- Bandages and Dressings 235
- Shock 235
- Symptoms 235
- Treatment for Shock 236
- Fractures and Dislocations 236
- General Guidelines for Treating Dislocations and Fractures 237
- Special Precautions for Fractures 238
- Reducing Dislocations 238
- Sprains and Strains 239
- Heat-Related Trauma 240
- Heat Stroke 240
- Heat Exhaustion 240
- Bites and Stings 240
- Animal Bites 240
- Snakebites 240
- Spider Bites 241
- Tick Bites 241
- Stings 242
- Eyes 242
- First Aid for a Foreign Object in the Eye 242
- Moving Injured People 242
- Clothing Drag for Single Rescuer 243
- Multi-Helper “Stretcher” Rescue 243
- One- and Two-Person Carries 244
- Emergency Childbirth 246
- Signs of Impending Delivery 246
- Stages of Labor 246
- Emergency Childbirth Supplies 247
- Delivery 247
- After Delivery 248
- References 248
9 When High-Tech Medicine Fails
- The Holistic Health Movement 251
- The Low-Tech Medicine Cabinet 252
- Simple, Effective Remedies and Supplements to Have on Hand 252
- The Essence of Healing 256
- Genetics and Cellular Growth 256
- Body Energy 257
- Colloidal and Ionic Silver 258
- Making Your Own Colloidal Silver Generator 259
- Using Your Colloidal Silver Generator 259
- Solutions of Metallic Silver Nano-Particles 261
- Healing with Herbs 261
- Types of Herbal Preparations 262
- Powerful Herbal Combinations for Better Health 264
- Caisse’s Tea (Essiac) 265
- Jason Winters’ Herbal Tea 266
- Dr. Clark’s Herbal Parasite Cleanse 267
- Kidney Cleanse 269
- Liver Cleanse 270
- Detoxification 271
- Naturopathic Healing 271
- Fasting 272
- Supplements and Food 273
- Homeopathy 274
- The Origins of Homeopathy 274
- Homeopathic “Potencies” 275
- Effectiveness of Homeopathy 275
- Homeopathy Practice 276
- Sinus Health and Molds 276
- Health Effects of Molds and Other Fungi 277
- Treatment for Molds and Other Fungi 277
- Electromagnetic Fields 279
- The Beck Protocol 282
- Healing with Energy 283
- A Few Useful Guidelines (No Fixed Rules) 285
- The Power of Prayer 285
- Hypnosis for Pain Control and Healing 287
- Fractional Relaxation Induction 289
- Hypnotic Suggestion 290
- Awakening Technique 291
- Visualization and Mind-Body Healing 291
- General Guidelines 291
- Visualization for Mending a Broken Bone 292
- Egyptian Healing Visualization 292
- Some Notes on Death and Dying 292
- References and Resources 293
10 Clothing and Textiles
- Fiber Arts 306
- Preparing Fibers 306
- Sustainable Fibers 308
- Spinning 309
- Weaving 311
- Knitting and Crocheting 312
- Furs and Skins 313
- Brain Tanning Overview 313
- Dealing with Furs 320
- Bark Tanning Leather 320
- Patterns and Custom-Tailored Clothing 321
- Footwear 322
- References 324
- Resources 327
11 Energy, Heat, and Power
- Shifting to Renewable Energy (RE) 330
- Why Renewable Energy? 331
- Energy Conservation,“Negawatts,” and RE 331
- RE Systems 332
- Net Metering 334
- AC Versus DC 334
- Alternatives for High-Energy-Consuming Appliances 334
- Photovoltaics Versus Wind Versus Micro-Hydro 336
- Batteries 336
- Backup Generators 338
- System Sizing 338
- Photovoltaics 340
- Insolation 340
- Solar Array Sizing 341
- Panel Orientation 341
- Maximum Power Point Tracking 342
- Wind Power 343
- Micro-Hydropower 344
- Micro-Hydro Considerations 344
- Solar Hot Water 345
- Passive Solar “Batch” Heating 345
- Direct Pump Solar Hot-Water Heating 347
- Active Solar Hot Water 347
- Solar Space Heating 348
- Solar Water Pumping 349
- Biofuels 350
- Steam Energy 352
- Fuel Cells 353
- How Fuel Cells Work 353
- Efficiency and Environmental Considerations 354
- Fuel Cells in the Home 354
- Heating with Wood 355
- Efficient Stove Features 356
- Energy, Power, and Electricity Primer 357
- Energy 357
- Power 357
- Electricity 357
- Proper Wire Sizing 360
- Battery Voltage: 12 Volts, 24 Volts, or 48 Volts? 360
- Capacitance 360
- Inductance 362
- References 362
- Resources 367
12 Metalworking
- A Brief Introduction to Metals 372
- Casting Metal 374
- Sand Casting 374
- Furnace 377
- Forging 382
- Low-Tech Heat Treating 383
- References 385
- Resources 388
13 Utensils and Storage
- Making a Simple Wooden Cup or Bowl 389
- Basket Basics 390
- Materials 390
- Making a Basket 390
- Gourds 393
- Growing Gourds 393
- Curing Gourds 393
- Cleaning Gourds 394
- Sealing Gourds 394
- Storing Fluids in Skins and Other Animal Parts 394
- Primitive Pottery 394
- Clay 395
- Pinch Pots 396
- Coil Pottery 397
- Slab Pottery 397
- Throwing on the Wheel 398
- Firing Pottery 402
- References 403
14 Better Living Through Not-So-Modern Chemistry
- Soap 405
- Soapy Plants 406
- Lye Soap 407
- Candles 410
- Wicking 411
- Making Candles 411
- Alcohol 412
- Malt 413
- Mash 413
- Fermentation 414
- Distillation 414
- Vinegar 416
- Natural Glues 417
- Pitch Glue 417
- Hide Glue 417
- Vegetable Oils 417
- References 418
15 Engineering, Machines, and Materials
- Engineering 421
- Forces and Statics 421
- Stress and Strength (Mechanics) 424
- Fluids 426
- Materials 427
- Mathematics 427
- Trigonometry 429
- Logarithms 429
- Conversions 436
- References 437
- Resources 439
16 Making the Shift to Sustainability
- A Poor Track Record 441
- Proactive Success Stories 444
- Limitations to a Free-Market Economic Policy 446
- Tragedy of the Commons 446
- Sustainable Communities 448
- Sustainable Cities 448
- Cradle to Cradle 449
- The Natural Step 450
- Backcasting 452
- Ecological Footprint 452
- Negative Population Growth 454
- Getting a Grip on “King Coal” 454
- Doing Your Part 455
- Planning for the Future 457
- The “Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon” 458
- Plan B: Live Locally, Think Globally 458
- Effective Action 461
- Choose Wisely 461
- References 462
- Resources 467
Bibliography 471
Index 488
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