11 Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make When Moving Off Grid

by JD Heyes, BugOut News:

It may be unsettling or unnerving to think about, but given the ever-expanding threat of nuclear war or economic collapse, there may come a day when we’ll be forced to live off the grid if we want to survive. But in the event that doomsday does arrive, and if you have no choice but to adapt to life on the outskirts of society, it’s extremely important to know not only what to do, but also what not to do. Below is a list of 11 mistakes to avoid when living off the grid.

Not Accounting for Weather Conditions and Radiation Threats

Choosing a place to settle when you’re living off the grid requires you to consider a number of factors. For instance, many places in California and Canada have contaminated soil and water due to the ongoing nuclear situation in Fukushima. Aside from that, it’s important to avoid any area that is within 100 miles of a nuclear power plant or a nuclear waste facility.

When choosing a location to live, pay close attention to weather patterns. Knowing what the regional weather conditions are can help you prepare, and could even mean the difference between life and death.

Not Having a Means of Income

Even though living off the grid may give you the ability to be completely self-sufficient, and despite the fact that you may have everything you need coming from the land itself, it is still a good idea to maintain some contact with the rest of the world so that you can have a bit of a monetary income. It is important to diversify your stockpile, and even though certain cryptocurrencies like the Bitcoin can be dangerous, you never know when you’re going to need some money in this form of currency (RELATED: Here are ten super affordable survival items that you can stock up on right now).

Lack of Experience with Growing Food Underground

If the outside world becomes hostile or even uninhabitable, it may be necessary to seek shelter underground. When built correctly, underground bunkers can last for generations. However, as you can probably imagine, the lack of light in an underground homestead makes it nearly impossible to grow foods and herbal remedies. This is a skill you will have to learn before you fully embrace this lifestyle.

Inability to Generate Power or Communicate

Just because you are living off the grid doesn’t mean you should completely shut out the rest of the world. But without electricity or the ability to generate power, devices like the radio and other communication systems are nothing but chunks of plastic with a few knobs and switches. Make sure you know how to generate electricity using solar and wind-based methods.

Lack of Knowledge and Ability to Manage Sanitation Issues

Not knowing how to properly manage sanitation issues can lead to devastating consequences, not the least of which is some kind of a serious disease outbreak. There are a number of things to consider when living off the grid to help keep yourself healthy and your home clean, including what to do with bathing water, what to do with kitchen garbage, how to dispose of old paint and chemicals, and how to manage nuisance insects.

It is advised that you focus on systems that allow you to recycle as much as you can without the use of dangerous chemicals. Look for ways to compost kitchen waste and convert it into some type of fuel.

Lack of Medical Knowledge and Skills

Eating healthy and staying fit in normal, everyday life is important, but eating healthy and staying fit while living off the grid is absolutely vital. It will be tempting at times to wolf down a hotdog or a juicy burger, but such foods are often filled with pesticides and antibiotics, both of which can cost your wellbeing and possibly your life.

In addition, failing to exercise, drinking, smoking and the use of recreational drugs will also take a toll on your health. If you want to keep moving and stay in good physical shape, it’s important to avoid all of these things to the best of your ability. It’s also important to educate yourself about emergency medicine, herbal remedies, and the side affects that can result from the drugs you use.

Read More @ BugOut.News