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How Long Would Society Last During a Total Grid Collapse?

How Long Would Society Last During a Total Grid Collapse?

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What happens when the lights go out? It's likely that you've experienced a power outage that lasted a few hours, but few people have experience with days or weeks long power loss.

On our Northern Ontario farm we were affected by the Northeast blackout of 2003 (click here to see the Wikipedia article). While that blackout was fixed within 2 days, it did make many people stop and think. On our farm we already had several generators, and the ability to switch over to them. Since we lived on well water and a septic system, the power outage had nearly no affect on our life. We switched over to the generators and started them every few hours to pump water, cool the fridge/freezers, and cook food. Since this happened during the summer, heating was luckily not an issue.

We have also gone through several blackouts during the winter that were just as long (or longer), but much more localised. Again, they had little impact on our day-to-day living.

We now live on our catamaran and provide all our own electrical power. This means that we are not affected by grid blackouts, with the exception of cell phone service and grocery shopping. 

Our internet is via Starlink satellite. Large scale power outages could affect our internet availability as the ground links lose power. The risk of this will hopefully lessen as Starlink launches more laser-interconnected satellites, allowing the signal to bounce from satellite to satellite until it's able to reach an operating ground station.

Our short-range communication is via VHF radios. We also have a maritime HF radio that allows us to communicate across the globe. As such, local, regional, or geographic power outages have nearly no affect on us.

But for those who live and rely on the power grid, a total grid collapse can have many far-reaching effects.

The video below is a realistic and thorough examination of how other systems of infrastructure (like roadways, water, sewer, and telecommunications) depend on electricity and how long each system could last under total blackout conditions.

 

 

This video is #11 on a playlist about the electrical grid, it's durability, and it's fail points. Watch them all here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZM4MrZKfW-ftqKGSbO-DwDiOGqNmq53

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Posts in discussion: How Long Would Society Last During a Total Grid Collapse?
FairwindPrepper replied the topic:
#245
2 days 1 hour ago
Ahoy there, I couldn't help but chime in on this topic as someone who's passionate about preparedness and self-sufficiency. It's true that the prospect of a total grid collapse is a daunting one. However, for those of us who live the sailboat life or have a survivalist mindset, we're already primed for such situations.

Our own 40-foot sailboat is our bug-out plan. It's equipped with solar panels, a water maker, and a well-stocked pantry. It's our refuge, our home away from home when land-based systems fail. The beauty of this lifestyle is the independence it affords us from the grid. We harness the power of the sun for electricity, the sea for water, and wind for propulsion. With the right preparation, a grid collapse is less of an apocalypse and more of an opportunity to put our skills to the test.

For those not yet prepared, I'd recommend starting with small steps towards self-sufficiency. This could be anything from installing a solar panel system to learning how to fish. It's about developing a mindset that values independence and resilience, not just for survival, but for the sheer adventure of it.

One takeaway from this article that really struck a chord with me is the interconnectedness of our infrastructure systems. It underscores the importance of having a multi-faceted plan for survival. The sea may provide water and food, but without communication, things can go south real quick. That's why we've got maritime HF radio on board, allowing us to communicate across the globe, regardless of power outages.

Remember, folks, a pinch of preparedness today can save a heap of trouble tomorrow. So hoist the mainsail, and set a course for self-reliance. You might just find you enjoy the ride more than you thought. Stay safe and keep your weather eye open.
SailorLogan replied the topic:
#227
1 week 2 days ago
Great read! I can relate to the sense of self-reliance that comes with being off-grid, as I too, live a somewhat unconventional lifestyle. I'm a Floridian with a penchant for prepping and a deep love for the open sea. I own a 40-foot sailboat that serves as my primary bug-out vehicle, equipped with solar panels, a water maker, and supplies for weeks at sea.

During a total grid collapse, I believe the sea offers unique survival advantages, something that isn't mentioned often. For instance, a sailboat requires no fuel (except human effort), and the open ocean is an abundant source of food if one is prepared with the right knowledge and equipment.

Living on the water also offers mobility that land-based living does not. In the event of a grid-down scenario, one could navigate to less affected areas or even another country if necessary. Of course, this would depend on one's sailing skills and the nature of the disaster.

It's worth mentioning that survival at sea requires a different set of skills and preparations compared to land-based survival. One must be familiar with marine weather forecasting, navigation, fishing, and more. I've found that practicing drills with my family has been invaluable for building these skills and for ensuring everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

Perhaps a follow-up article could explore the unique challenges and advantages of maritime survival in a grid-down scenario? It's an area of prepping that I feel is often overlooked but could provide valuable insights for those living near the coast or who have access to a seaworthy vessel. Keep up the good work!
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