{"id":35930,"date":"2020-03-20T13:04:40","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T02:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=35930"},"modified":"2022-11-07T15:44:22","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T05:14:22","slug":"tips-from-campers-disaster-pandemic-survival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/tips-from-campers-disaster-pandemic-survival\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips from Campers for Self-Isolation at Home\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

All th<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0talk of self-isolation<\/span>\u00a0in our homes<\/span>\u00a0to put the kibosh on the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has sent the world into a spin of panic buying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Toilet paper\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>isles are like a deserted outback town, locating a packet of pasta is\u00a0<\/span>akin to<\/span>\u00a0winning the lottery, and you\u2019ll likely have to make do with sushi rice for your butter chicken\u2026 that is provided you can find the chicken.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s all a bit dreary really, but let’s try and stay positive! In this article we are looking at the things we can learn from campers when it comes to being isolated at home, and even in times of power or gas outages, limited food supply and if water to your home is affected.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Self-isolation is the reality of a pandemic. Image: Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n

Campers self-isolate all the time… for fun!<\/h2>\n

As it turns out, campers\u00a0<\/span>deal with the problems mentioned above<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>all the time<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>for fun! Self-isolation is something many of us seek, just not in the walls of our own houses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It, therefore, goes without saying that if we had to strip life back to basics in our own homes, anyone with a basic camping kit in their garage is likely to be well prepared to\u00a0<\/span>continue<\/span>\u00a0with life without significant barriers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are some of the items in a basic camping kit that will help during self-isolation?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If we are looking at this from a survival perspective, there are three elements we need to address in the following order:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

> Shelter\u00a0\u00a0>\u00a0Water\u00a0>\u00a0Food\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

These are the three things you will need for survival if\u00a0<\/span>yo<\/span>u were to find yourself stranded\u00a0<\/span>in the middle of\u00a0<\/span>Woop Woop<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Given that the type of isolation we are referring to here is likely to occur within or near your home, we can assume that you already have a supply of basics that you can access<\/span>\u00a0such as cutlery, toiletries, blankets, etc<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>here are two other camping basics<\/span>\u00a0that I\u2019ll add in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that could be worth keeping in your emergency kit<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

> Lighting >\u00a0Coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can cover off on these things at a relatively low cost, and keep it stored away in your garage for a time of need.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mother<\/p>\n

Self-isolation is very similar to camping. Image: Zempire<\/em><\/p>\n

Shelter<\/h2>\n

Hopefully, the event hasn\u2019t resulted in you losing your home, or if you have then there is likely to be an emergency shelter you can head to.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>f your roof is damaged at a time when emergency resources are stretched thin, or you need a dry space to use a portable gas stove outside, then a<\/span>\u00a0tarp is possibly one of the most useful things in a camping kit. You can use it as a temporary roof or window repair, outdoor cooking shelter, windbreak, to protect items from the elements or as a ground cover.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tarp<\/p>\n

A tarp can provide many forms of shelter. Image: Domain<\/em><\/p>\n

Tarps come in many forms from the basic and affordable poly tarp<\/a> to the long-lasting and durable canvas tarps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You could take it a step further and keep a basic tent at hand. This\u00a0<\/span>could<\/span>\u00a0be handy if you need to shack up on a local football oval or reserve in the event your house is\u00a0<\/span>destroyed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>accessible.<\/span>\u00a0In this case, you\u2019ll probably want to consider some basic sleeping options too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can grab yourself a tent for less than $50, but an option like this tent from Oztrail<\/a> offers sleeping and storage space as well as good ventilation. The benefit of having a tent is that you can turn self-isolation into a camping trip in your backyard with the kids.<\/p>\n

As for sleeping, if you need to you can pick up a basic sleeping mat for under $50.<\/a>\u00a0It won’t be the most comfortable thing you’ve slept on, but is better than nothing when teamed with a basic sleeping bag rated down to around 5 degrees<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

A basic tent like this one provides shelter. Image: Campcraft<\/em><\/p>\n

Water<\/h2>\n

Water is most important for drinking, but we also use it to wash and clean with. If the mains water supply is cut off then you probably need to buy water, or maybe you have a rainwater tank. If you find yourself in the very worst scenario, not having access to clean drinking\u00a0<\/span>water,<\/span>\u00a0then you\u2019ll need to treat whatever water you can find.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the\u00a0<\/span>water<\/span>\u00a0you have access to is relatively clear, but you’re still unsure as to whether it is safe for drinking, then you\u2019ll likely only need some purification tabs<\/a>. You can treat large volumes of water with these.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Safe drinking water is an essential. Image: GRAYL<\/em><\/p>\n

Turbid water, however, will need to be<\/span>\u00a0filter<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0first.\u00a0<\/span>Many p<\/span>ortable water filters are\u00a0<\/span>expensive<\/span>\u00a0but can easily filter enough water each day for a family<\/span>, whereas\u00a0<\/span>the more\u00a0affordable<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Lifestraw<\/span><\/a>\u00a0filter is perfect for individuals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out this article<\/a> for more information on making drinking water safe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

H<\/span>ave a think about how you might collect and store water if the mains are cut off. Jerry cans<\/a> are bulky\u00a0<\/span>to stor<\/span>e, but collapsible items like the\u00a0<\/span>Pa<\/span>ck<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Tap from Sea\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0Summit is an affordable and packable item to keep at hand for emergencies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Y<\/span>ou<\/span>\u00a0will also need to<\/span>\u00a0wash as<\/span>\u00a0hygiene is important even in the worst of situations<\/span>. You can\u00a0<\/span>proba<\/span>b<\/span>ly<\/span>\u00a0still use\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0sink at home,\u00a0<\/span>and a<\/span>\u00a0simple gravity shower<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>shoul<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0see you through<\/span>. You\u2019ll need to suspend the bucket somewhere then heat the water upon your stove and pour it into the shower bucket.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

You will need to keep clean for hygiene purposes. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n

Food<\/h2>\n

Warm and tasty food is going to help any self-isolation situation. There is something comforting about having a warm meal, so it goes without saying that something to heat up<\/span>\u00a0food with is\u00a0pretty important.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need a stove to cook on – t<\/span>he most basic lunchbox style\u00a0<\/a><\/span>camp stove<\/span>\u00a0use<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>disposable butane canisters that are cheap as chips, store well and are easy to\u00a0<\/span>find (<\/span>at least they are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>outside of the times of a pandemic<\/span>).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>If you have a\u00a0<\/span>BBQ<\/span>\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span>home,<\/span>\u00a0then you can use that to cook on or you can keep a\u00a0<\/span>2-burner<\/span><\/a>\u00a0stove at hand with a suitable adapter<\/a> to attach it to your existing BBQ gas cylinder.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we are on the topic of gas, there are many safety considerations when using these stoves. If you\u2019re not already familiar with these, then check out some gas usage and safety guidelines here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gasmate<\/p>\n

Have a simple gas cooking solution available.<\/em><\/p>\n

You can save yourself from having to panic-buy by keeping some\u00a0<\/span>essentials<\/span>\u00a0at hand. Campers generally take items that don\u2019t require refrigeration, have a long shelf life and are easy to prepare so as not to use up too much of your<\/span>\u00a0cooking<\/span>\u00a0fuel\u00a0<\/span>reserves<\/span>. These include pasta, rice, oats, canned fruit and vegetables as well as long-life milk or milk powder.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Products sealed in soft packaging<\/a> are known as retort pouches and can be stored in the same way as canned food. Many\u00a0<\/span>pre-cooked<\/span>\u00a0soups, stews and semi-cooked rice are available in this form<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Better yet, albeit a little more expensive, freeze-dried food\u00a0<\/span>or dehydrated food\u00a0<\/span>is the perfect way to see you through emergency preparedness. This food may not have the best appearance, but it does taste pretty good, offers good nutrition and has a long shelf life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out the range of easy to prepare and lightweight food options with long storage life online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

The type of food\u00a0you take for camping can be used now too.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Light<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll want to consider something to light the way should the electricity be cut from your house. It\u2019s more than likely you have a torch or\u00a0<\/span>two<\/span>\u00a0of some form<\/span>\u00a0lying around, but if you keep a lantern in your emergency kit then you\u2019ll know where it is at a time of need. <\/span><\/p>\n

Coleman has a Battery Lock feature<\/a> in some of their lanterns which completely disengages the integrated battery from the lantern lengthening the power retention in the battery whilst in storage.<\/span>\u00a0There are solar lanterns<\/a> that are ideal for emergencies\u00a0and some basic battery-powered lanterns<\/a>. Just make sure you keep a pack of fresh batteries in with your kit, not stored in the lantern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

Same as for camping, a torch or lantern will be essential.\u00a0Image: Coleman Australia<\/em><\/p>\n

Coffee\u00a0(or hot chocolate)<\/h2>\n

Alright, so\u00a0<\/span>coffee isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0technically a survival item, but apparently, people\u00a0<\/span>do\u00a0<\/span>get by<\/span>\u00a0without\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>!\u00a0<\/span>I know I wouldn\u2019t be a pleasant person to be\u00a0<\/span>couped up<\/span>\u00a0with if I didn\u2019t have at least one coffee per day though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus<\/span>, i<\/span>t<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0comforting to have hot drinks<\/span>\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span>hand<\/span>. If<\/span>\u00a0coffee isn\u2019t your thing then maybe hot\u00a0<\/span>chocolate<\/span>\u00a0or tea<\/span>\u00a0is a better option.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If y<\/span>ou need good (emphasis on the word \u2018good\u2019 here) coffee before tackling anything the day throws at you,<\/span>\u00a0then grab yourself a portable coffee maker\u00a0<\/span>so you can get your coffee fix no matter what the situation<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Aeropress<\/a> is a versatile coffee maker that produces a long black style from ground beans that sits between a french press and espresso. The Aeropress coffee maker requires little milk for a full cup, whereas the Wacaco machines<\/a> produce a true espresso shot from either ground or pod coffee, but you’ll need to warm the milk up also.<\/p>\n

\"Wacaco-Nanopresso-Espresso-Machine\"<\/p>\n

Have a coffee maker on hand to give you that much-needed comfort. Image: Wacaco<\/em><\/p>\n

Consider storing some\u00a0basic essentials<\/h2>\n

T<\/span>oilet paper, soap, hand sanitiser<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>toothpaste<\/span>\u00a0and toothbrush as well as medication<\/span>\u00a0and a first aid kit<\/span>\u00a0can all<\/span>\u00a0be stored\u00a0<\/span>away in a tub with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>items<\/span>\u00a0mentioned above,\u00a0<\/span>How much of this gear you want to keep in case of emergency is up to you, but whatever you<\/span>\u00a0do<\/span>\u00a0store will be\u00a0<\/span>appreciate<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0in a time of n<\/span>eed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A camping kit<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>will<\/span>\u00a0consist of a whole lot more gear than what is mentioned here<\/span>\u00a0as\u00a0<\/span>there is no ready<\/span>\u00a0access to existing belongings in\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0house<\/span>, but these are the things that any non-camper\u00a0can affordably stow away in the garage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Basic<\/p>\n

Basic hygiene and safety essentials are important too.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you are lucky enough to<\/span>\u00a0have friends or\u00a0<\/span>neighbours<\/span>\u00a0who are avid\u00a0<\/span>campers<\/span>, it\u2019s likely that they have more than one of everything and can lend you a few items to help you keep comfortable during times\u00a0<\/span>of<\/span>\u00a0major disaster or pandemic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The items here should see you through the short term, but<\/span>\u00a0if you are creeping into more than a few weeks of\u00a0<\/span>living in isolation<\/span>\u00a0then your batteries are probably going to go flat<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>your gas will run out\u00a0<\/span>and your food supplies will dry up…<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in which case you\u2019ll need a plan B<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hopefully, our government would have put something in place by then<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are your tips for self-isolation survival?<\/strong><\/p>\n