Grid-Down Self-Reliance Quiz

Welcome to the Grid-Down Self-Reliance Quiz – the ultimate test to uncover your self-sufficiency skills in the face of a power outage! Ever wondered how much you lean on public services? Curious about your survival prowess if the grid suddenly vanished? Get ready for a fun and educational journey into self-reliance!

Water

No water capture and storage facilities. Completely dependent upon mains water.
Some water capture and storage which reduces dependency on mains water or external supplies for some needs (eg. water butts for use in garden)
Extensive water capture and storage facilities (eg. well, high capacity water tanks, stream or spring) which significantly reduces dependence on mains water, although you are still connected to the mains or use external suppliers because all of your needs are not met (eg. drinking water, hot water)
Complete water independence. Not dependent on mains water or external suppliers for any needs. Including drinking water and hot water for bathing. A high storage capacity which eliminates the risk of running out, even in drought conditions.

Food

No food growing and preserving capacity. Completely dependent upon retail outlets and supply chains.
You grow some fruit and vegetables and may even have livestock such as chickens which results in reduced food bills. They have some preservation capacity (eg. freezer, dehydrator) but you are still largely reliant upon food supply chains.
You have significant growing capacity (eg. vegetable plot, orchard) and may keep food production livestock (pigs, goats, poultry, et cetera). You also use a range of preservation techniques (eg. dehydration, pickling, smoking, freezing, freeze drying, pressure canning, et cetera), but you still shop for food products that you cannot produce yourself (eg. coffee, sugar, chocolate).
You have enough growing capacity, food preservation techniques and stored capacity to render you completely independent of food supply chains. Your diet has been adapted to the extent that you eat mostly seasonal produce. You rarely, if ever need to shop for food. That you produce meets all of your daily dietary requirements.

Energy (electricity)

All of your energy needs are supplied by the electricity grid.
You have some emergency energy production capacity (eg. generator) or some supplementary electricity production capacity (eg. solar panels) which results in lower bills, but you are largely dependent on the grid or external fuel supplies.
You have significant energy production capacity (eg. solar, wind turbines, hydro) and significant battery storage capacity. You are still connected to the grid or external fuel supplies because your arrangements do not meet your energy needs throughout the year.
You either produce enough energy and have sufficient battery capacity to be all of your energy needs throughout the year, or have altered your lifestyle to significantly reduce your need for energy. Not connected to the power grid and do not purchase fuel from external sources.

Transportation & Fuel

Your transport arrangements are completely reliant upon the public transport system and or the availability of fuel.
You have some means of transport that do not require fuel (eg. bicycles, horse) but your main mode of transport is reliant upon an external fuel supply.
Your main means of transport is not reliant upon external fuel supplies (eg. electric vehicles charged by solar), but you do not have the skills or tools to repair your vehicle when the need arises, so you are reliant upon external services.
Have a vehicle and a means of powering it without reliance on external fuel supplies (eg. EV which is charged by your solar setup or an adapted vehicle which can run on cooking oil or other self produced biofuel). You also have the skills and tools to repair your vehicles if and when the need arises.

Sewage

You are connected to the sewage system and do not have any other means of processing waste.
You are connected to the sewage system but may also have access to alternative means of treatment (eg. composting toilet).
You have a you have a septic tank or other means of sewage treatment and are not connected to main sewage. However, you are reliant upon others to repair your system.
You have an independent means of treating sewage and are not connected to the mains sewage system. You also have the skills and knowledge to maintain and repair your system.

Your Name

Please enter a name for our score board.

Preferably we would like your first name, and initial of your last name, such as: "First L."

If you are paranoid, you can use a nick name, or fictitious alternate name (nothing rude please).

Name*

Grid-Down Self-Reliance Quiz

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