Light is very important. It is very difficult to do anything after the sun goes down without light. You’ve probably realized this if the power has ever gone out at night-it strikes you all at once how much you rely on light. Obviously, in modern life we are very dependent on light. Not just the lights in our homes, but also street lights, the light from our cellphone, and even light pollution to illuminate the light.
But after disaster strikers, if power grids are down, there won’t be much light anywhere. Here are some options for light sources for when there’s no electricity, as well as suggestions for sustainable energy for light.
Flashlights
This is most likely what everyone has in their homes. Flashlights are a quick and easy way to find your way in the dark. The downside is most flashlights take batteries. There are, however, solar batteries and hand-crank batteries. While these also might not last forever, they can be a nice back-up for when the supply of batteries you should keep in your home or bug-out bag at all times is running low.
Here is one of my favorite battery operated flashlights
Lanterns
Lanterns are great for lighting whole rooms or areas, and, like flashlights, can also be transported from place to place. There are battery-operated, solar, and crank lanterns, which are all good options light the types of flashlights mentioned above. But lanterns traditionally harness the incredible light-giving power of the oldest man-made light source: fire. While typically fueled by oil, you can easily make some long-lasting homemade lanterns with items you most likely already have lying around the house.
Torches
Very crude but reliable! The advantage of torches is they typically require less oil than lanterns, although you will need some type of fuel to keep them burning. A very basic torch is to soak some strips of t-shirts in oil or gasoline (definitely use caution!) and wrap them around a large stick.
Solar Lights
Solar lights will definitely not last forever, but the only energy they need is that of the sun. There are tons of different types available today, and you can buy the very cheap ones usually designed to light outdoor walkways at night and put them into jars for an easy DIY solar lantern.
Candles
Candles deserve a mention because while they also do not have infinite energy, they’re one of the oldest and most basic forms of light. They can easily be used in lanterns as well, and they can be cheap and easy to hoard. Don’t ever forget about candles! They’re always a simple and reliable way to light up the night.
What will be your light source of choice after SHTF?
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In a SHTF scenario where emergency services may be limited I don’t want to introduce fire into the equation.One SHTF scenario is earthquakes….lots of ruptured gas lines. Fire is one of the biggest problems after a quake.
Candle’s and torches are good to have as a backup to the backup….but unless I am going into a dungeon to kill a dragon the torches are strictly for outdoor use.
Strangely enough when I got this email I was sitting in the dark with my wife during a 2 hour power blackout…Having a solar charger and USB rechargeable devices is a big help….air conditioner is off? USB fan Lights are out? USB lantern Start a fire for a BBQ? USB powered lighter.
Of course if the SHTF scenario clouds the sky (nuclear winter…volcanic ash…bad weather) my plan falls apart quickly
I will get back with you. I have to run right now. God bless!!!
What about gravity lights advertised by GE (I think as innovation efforts and used in third world) using a pendulum type weight and generator for power? This looks like a promising device.
Regarding the way to make torches, it might be better to leave the oil or gasoline for other uses as they will become non-renewable resources, and use some other combustible substance that is a renewable resource such as tree sap or pitch.
I’m so sorry you had to lose your Father to a known medical issue .. it seems to me that you lacked the experience to understand what were the questions you needed to ask him to be able to save his life. We, In the Special Forces community know first hand that we Do Not know everything & I’m sure there are treatments that I will find enlighten me
about infections, injuries, venom’s and radiation poisoning etc… What has me very interested is all of the other topics, such
as acquiring prescription medications, ( legally ? ) and several other topics you mentioned. I will make this purchase,
because I’m sure that there’s so much information in the Book, that my Family and close comrades will defiantly learn
a lot of Good Info. I truly want to Thank You for getting this Precious Information out to all those who are preparing themselves for the drastic events to come. Your Patriot ….
JORGE ” ROACH ” CORROCHANO USAF SPEC.OPS.
I would like to know more about survival. Thank you
Having a lot of knowledge is great, but you have to get over the initial shock of the SHTF disaster in order to use it.
Practice doesn’t make Perfect; Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.
Run the scenario in your head until you know what to do and then actually pick a perspective disaster and do what you’re supposed to do to survive.
You’re on your way to work, an EMP detonates, you’re in the middle of the freeway, your car/truck dies, your cell phone won’t work. What do you have with you that will enable you to survive? What about your family? What about the panic that ensues with a multitude of stranded, panicking motorists?