Planetary Survival Manual: A Guide for Living in a World of Diminishing Resources

by Matthew Stein

• ISBN13: 9781574160468
• ISBN10: 157416046X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Clear Light Pub

Summary

Offers advice for coping with disruptions in everyday life during emergency situations, covering emergency preparedness, first aid, renewable energy, alternative healing, and low-tech methods for securing basic provisions.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Self-Reliance	1	(7)
An Uncertain Future	1	(1)
Why This Book	2	(1)
Preindustrial Self-Sufficiency	3	(1)
Old-Fashioned Self-Reliance and Modern Sustainable Technology	4	(1)
References	5	(2)
Present Trends, Possible Futures	7	(24)
Current Trends	7	(2)
Sustainability and Limits to Growth
Oil Reserves	9	(1)
Water and Food	10	(1)
What about the Weather?	10	(8)
Systems Modeling and Systems Response
Earthquakes and Volcanoes	18	(2)
Prophecies	20	(1)
What Can I Do?	21	(1)
Planning for the Future	22	(3)
The Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon Effective Action
References & Resources	25	(6)
Supplies & Preparation	31	(15)
Are You Prepared?	31	(1)
Planning for the Short Term	32	(3)
Short-Term Preparedness Checklist
72-Hour Survival Kits
First Aid Kits
Earthquake Precautions
A Short-Term Survival Manual
Longer-Term Planning and Storage	35	(5)
Basic Supplies and Portable Equipment
Calculating a Year's Food Supply
Storage Tips
Dry Ice Fumigation
Vacuum Packaging
Shelf Life Guide
Notes on Camping Gear	40	(2)
Tents
Clothing
Sleeping Bags
Insulating Sleeping Mats
Backpacks
Stoves
Cookware
Footgear
Planning for the Long-Term Future	42	(1)
References & Resources	43	(3)
Emergency Measures for Survival	46	(24)
Survival Strategies	46	(4)
Basic Strategies
Compact Survival Kit
Developing a Survivor Personality	50	(2)
Typical Survivor Personality Traits
Intuition: A Survivor's Powerful Ally
Water	52	(1)
Requirements
Recommended Emergency Measures
Dehydration
Conserving Water
Fire	53	(4)
Starting a Fire with Matches
Starting a Fire with Flint and Steel
Starting a Fire with Bow and Drill
Starting a Fire with a Hand Drill
Starting a Fire with a Fire Plough
Food	57	(2)
Basic Guidelines
Plants
Insects, Grubs, and Worms
Shelter	59	(2)
Location
Squirrel's Nest
Building on Fallen Trunks and Trees
Scout Pits and Coal Beds
Snow Shelters
Emergency Snow Shoes	61	(1)
Cordage	62	(2)
Recommended Plant Fibers
Fiber Test
Preparing Fibers
Spinning Fibers into Cord
Splicing
Simple Tools	64	(2)
Discoidal Stone Knives
Bone Tools
References & Resources	66	(4)
Water	70	(21)
Water Requirements	70	(1)
Stocking Up for Emergencies	70	(1)
Guidelines for Coping with Disaster	71	(1)
Water Pollution	71	(3)
Types of Contamination
Disinfecting Your Water	74	(6)
Heat Sterilization
Portable Water Filters
My Filter Recommendations
Chemical Sterilization
Preserving Water by Using Silver	80	(1)
Using Silver to Preserve Water
Treating and Finding Water the Low-Tech Way	80	(6)
Treating Water
Finding Water
Wells
Protecting Your Water Source	86	(1)
Modern Water Treatment	87	(2)
Chlorine Treatment
Ozone Treatment
Activated Carbon Filtration
Reverse Osmosis
Distillation
References & Resources	89	(2)
Food: Growing, Foraging, Hunting & Storing	91	(46)
World Population and Food Supply	91	(6)
Agricultural Productivity
Irrigation Gains and Losses
Soil Health and Soil Losses
Sustainable Agriculture
``Grow Biointensive''	97	(8)
Double-Dug, Raised Beds
Intensive Planting
Composting
Companion Planting
Whole Gardening
Seed Propagation
Pest Control
Extending the Harvest in Cold Climates
Sprouting: Your Own Minigarden on a Windowsill	105	(2)
The Sprouting Process
Foraging for Food	107	(8)
Brief Guide to Wild Edible Foods
Poisonous Plants to Avoid
Preserving and Storing Food	115	(2)
Root Cellars and Other Cold Storage
Drying and Smoking Food
Preserving Meat
Dairy, Tofu, and Tempeh	117	(3)
Making Butter
Ghee
Yogurt
Cheese
Making Rennet for Cheese
Raising Animals	120	(1)
Hunting and Trapping	121	(4)
Bow and Arrow
Traps
Skinning and Cleaning
Fishing	125	(3)
Angling
Catching Fish by Hand
Spearing Fish
Fishing with Nets
References & Resources	128	(9)
Shelter & Buildings	137	(39)
Green Buildings	137	(2)
Rammed Earth	139	(6)
The Process
Soils
Moisture Test
The Forms
Wall Systems
Windows and Doors
Adobe	145	(4)
Modern Adobe Methods
Adobe Blocks
Adobe Walls
Adobe Roofs
Cast Earth	149	(1)
Straw Bales	149	(4)
In-Fill (Non-Load-Bearing) Straw Bale Construction
Load-Bearing Straw Bale Construction
Finishing Straw Bale Walls
Building with Insulated Concrete Forms	153	(1)
Pumice-Crete	154	(1)
Passive Solar Design	154	(4)
Passive Solar ``Rules of Thumb''
James Kachadorian's Patented Solar Slab
Traditional Low-Tech Structures	158	(7)
Log Cabins
Timber Frame Construction
Tipis, Yurts, Wickiups, and Wigwams
Earthquake Resistance	165	(2)
Improving Earthquake Resistance
References & Resources	167	(9)
First Aid	176	(26)
Initial Evaluation	176	(1)
Survey the Scene
Consent and Liability
ABCs of First Aid	177	(3)
Treatment Priority
Unconscious Victim
CPR	180	(1)
Survey for Injuries and Control Bleeding	181	(2)
Pressure Points
Tourniquets
Wounds	183	(2)
Abrasions
Incisions
Puncture Wounds
Abdominal Wounds
Head Wounds
Chest Wounds
Choking	185	(1)
Heimlich Mneuver
Bandages and Dressings	186	(1)
Shock	186	(1)
Symptoms
Treatment for Shock
Fractures and Dislocations	187	(4)
General Guidelines for Treating Dislocations and Fractures
Special Precautions for Fractures
Reducing Dislocations
Sprains and Strains
Bites and Stings	191	(1)
Animal Bites
Snake Bites
Spider Bites
Tick Bites
Stings
Eyes	192	(1)
First Aid for Foreign Object in Eye
Moving Injured People	193	(4)
Clothing Drag for Single Rescuer
Multi-Helper ``Stretcher'' Rescue
One- and Two-Person Carries
Emergency Childbirth	197	(3)
Signs of Impending Delivery
Stages of Labor
Emergency Childbirth Supplies
Delivery
After Delivery
References	200	(2)
Low-Tech Medicine & Healing	202	(49)
The Holistic Health Movement	203	(1)
The Low-Tech Medicine Cabinet	203	(4)
The Essence of Healing	207	(1)
Genetics and Cellular Growth
Body Energy
Colloidal Silver	208	(3)
Healing with Herbs	211	(10)
Types of Herbal Preparations
Powerful Herbal Combinations for Better Health
Caisse's Tea (Essiac)
Jason Winters' Herbal Tea
Dr. Clark's Herbal Parasite Cleanse
Kidney Cleanse
Liver Cleanse
Detoxification	221	(2)
Naturopathic Healing
Fasting
Supplements and Food	223	(1)
Homeopathy	224	(3)
The Origins of Homeopathy
Homeopathic ``Potencies''
Effectiveness of Homeopathy
Homeopathy Practices
Healing with Energy	227	(1)
The Power of Prayer	228	(2)
Shamanic Healing	230	(1)
Hypnosis for Pain Control and Healing	231	(4)
Fractional Relaxation Induction
Hypnotic Suggestion
Awakening Technique
Visualization and Mind-Body Healing	235	(1)
General Guidelines
Visualization for Mending a Broken Bone
Egyptian Healing Visualization
Some Notes on Death and Dying	236	(1)
References & Resources	237	(14)
Clothing & Textiles	251	(25)
Fiber Arts	251	(7)
Preparing Fibers
Sustainable Fibers
Spinning
Weaving
Knitting and Crocheting
Furs and Skins	258	(9)
Brain Tanning Overview
Dealing with Furs
Bark Tanning Leather
Patterns and Custom-Tailored Clothing	267	(2)
Footwear	269	(2)
References & Resources	271	(5)
Energy, Heat & Power	276	(40)
Shifting to Renewable Energy (RE)	277	(2)
Why Renewable Energy?
Energy Conservation, ``Negawatts,'' and RE
RE Systems	279	(9)
Net Metering
AC Versus DC
Alternatives for High-Energy-Consuming Appliances
Photovoltaics Versus Wind Versus Micro-Hydro
Batteries
Backup Generators
System Sizing
Photovoltaics	288	(2)
Insolation
Solar Array Sizing
Panel Orientation
Maximum Power Point Trackers
Wind Power	290	(1)
Wind Energy Tips
Micro-Hydropower	291	(2)
Micro-Hydro Considerations
Solar Hot Water	293	(2)
Passive Solar ``Batch'' Heating
Direct Pump
Solar Water Heating
Active Solar Hot Water
Solar Space Heating	295	(1)
Solar Water Pumping	296	(1)
Steam Energy	297	(1)
Fuel Cells	298	(3)
How Fuel Cells Work
Efficiency and Environmental Considerations
Fuel Cells in the Home
Heating with Wood	301	(1)
Efficient Stove Features
Energy, Power, and Electricity Primer	302	(6)
Energy
Power Electricity
Proper Wire Sizing
Battery Voltage: 12 volts versus 24 volts versus 48 volts?
Capacitance
Inductance
References & Resources	308	(8)
Metalworking	316	(18)
A Brief Introduction to Metals	316	(2)
Casting Metal	318	(9)
Sand Casting
Furnace
Forging	327	(2)
Low-Tech Heat Treating
References & Resources	329	(5)
Utensils & Storage	334	(16)
Making a Simple Wooden Cup or Bowl	334	(1)
Basket Basics	335	(3)
Materials
Making a Basket
Gourds	338	(1)
Growing Gourds
Curing Gourds
Cleaning Gourds
Sealing Gourds
Storing Fluids in Skins and Other Animal Parts	339	(1)
Primitive Pottery	339	(10)
Clay
Pinch Pots
Coil Pottery
Slab Pottery
Throwing on the Wheel
Primitive Kilns
References	349	(1)
Better Living Through Low-Tech Chemistry	350	(16)
Soap	350	(6)
Soapy Plants
Lye Soap
Lye Precuations
Candles	356	(1)
Wicking
Making Candles
Alcohol	357	(5)
Malt
Mash
Fermentation
Distillation
Vinegar	362	(1)
Natural Glues	362	(1)
Pitch Glue
Hide Glue
Vegetable Oils	362	(1)
References	363	(3)
Engineering, Machines & Materials	366	(20)
Engineering	366	(6)
Forces and Statics
Stress and Strength (Mechanics)
Fluids	372	(1)
Materials	372	(1)
Mathematics	372	(10)
Trigonometry
Logarithms
References & Resources	382	(4)
Afterword	386	(1)
Bibliography	387	(13)
Index	400