The EMP proof Bus

[RnMAdventures]

That's probably aimed at me as I probably appear to be one of the ones laughing at this whole discussion. In fact I am trying quite hard not to just dismiss it all out of hand as there are apparently some intelligent people take this stuff seriously.

And yet everyone seems determined not to mention the issue which seems to me central to the whole thing - rather than agreeing with each other that the 'threat is real' and how 'fragile our existence is', should not the real discussion be whether there is any point trying to survive such an event?

I hadn't heard of the 'One Second After' movie but read through the link that Artvonne gave:- if you believe that "the author's science was right" then presumably you accept the scenario as described in the description of the movie, which says that after one year 80% of the population are dead and the rest are suffering a miserable existence as a result of starvation, disease and violence. Why on earth would anyone want to be in that group?

I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion but am genuinely curious about the logic of planning to survive an apocalyptic event - I guess it's something to do with the conflict between instinct and rationality.

Personally I'm left wondering about how to protect my bus from Smurfs. I saw a movie about them once and now I'm worried that it might all come true

No, I wasn't pointing my comments at any ONE person, but more so from conversations I have had about the topic. While I realize just how bad it would get I still am not prepared. I think FORSTCHEN was on the extreme side of the outcome, but I think that is based on FEMA's estimation. There are so many variables that impact the potential outcome it's really hard to know, so I think looking at the situation from an extremly bad outcome is the better way to approach the topic.

The innocence a sheltered life brings can be a wonderful thing. Not knowing the dark side of mankind or nature in general is an illusion we all live with until something happens in our life that enlightens as to what it is really all about. I can remember years ago sitting in church a lady a few years older than me stood up and had a prayer request. She had bounced a check and it had rocked her world. That event was very significant to her and it brought her to tears. She didn't realize just how blessed she was.

Why "on earth" would you want to survive? Well fortunately for you, your ancestors didn't have to ask that question. I don't want to hijack this thread with a thorough reply to that statement, but in the words or Winston Churchill, "Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

[Jeremy]

...but in the words or Winston Churchill, "Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

Amazingly enough I actually quoted that quote during assembly at my school once; when we were prefects in the sixth form (ie, aged 18 and supposedly role-models for the younger pupils) each day one of us had to say something inspiring to the whole school during morning assembly. On one occasion I used that Winston Churchill quote (which I believe he made to the boys of his own school, on a return visit years later), and on a different occasion I quoted words said in a voice-over in an obscure Frankie Goes to Hollywood song ("In the paroxysms of intoxication the artistic power of all nature is revealed to the highest gratification of the primordial unity...."). That one goes on for some time, and I remember every word. When I eventually sat down the headmaster gave me a very strange look.


Jeremy

[wg4t50]

Maybe, Just maybe, this EMP disaster prediction is as valid as the Y2K disaster that most folks buried their head in the sand and poof, nothing 
So I know there are much brighter word smiths out there, so I ask is this another Y2K type hoax ?
Cheers & Beers

[Lin]

Ultimately, if you can just be prepared for an all out thermonuclear war and its aftermath, I think that you will be as prepared as you can be for anything else, including an EMP or EPA.  Doesn't that make the whole thing much simpler?   It's sort of like fueling up; you fill the tank even if you only intend to travel half a tank's worth.

[gus]

Good luck to you folks who think there is any defense against these things and that God will come to your rescue!!

[artvonne]

so I ask is this another Y2K type hoax ?
Cheers & Beers

   http://www.empcommission.org/

  That report was published in 2004, and AFAIK nothing has been done with its recommendations. In fact since 2004 the Countries infrastructure has become more dependent on electronics.



 

[Iceni John]

The Amish will probably not even notice an EMP.   Maybe I should grow a funny beard and change my name to Yoder.   How many horses does it take to pull a bus?

John

[Brassman]

How many horses does it take to pull a bus?
John

You'll do better with oxen. 

[2xclutchin]

Hey all! I'm back and I see a topic I enjoy! (Did anybody miss me? lol ) I think I would be okay, my bus is old enough that the only things that wouldn't work would not hinder me from getting to home. Then if I could turn my 41' John Deere into a toad I'd even have a way to get around (Uses a mag for spark so I think it would work?). Also I would be armed to the teeth, and if stuff really hit the van I have enough old equipment to build a walled city lol.
Mike

[chev49]

Well... dont know but one sits beside the girl...

[RnMAdventures]

Maybe, Just maybe, this EMP disaster prediction is as valid as the Y2K disaster that most folks buried their head in the sand and poof, nothing 
So I know there are much brighter word smiths out there, so I ask is this another Y2K type hoax ?
Cheers & Beers

My mother in law at the time was into the Y2K rave as well. Kinda kooky, but her chickens were putting out a few dozen eggs a day. That was a strange media hyped event. Anyone that really understood what the deal was, was not that concerned about a global meltdown. The EMP thing is much different. We know it exist and we have seen what it can do, so the test results are there. All it takes is a little solar flare to make it happen. Modern society is a slave to technology. If the ability to power our cities and get food from the growers to the consumers ended for a time, we would suffer tremendously. Most major cities have about 3 to 4 days of food supply. Cut the food and water off for a month and see what happens.

Good luck to you folks who think there is any defense against these things and that God will come to your rescue!!

Jesus loves you Gus! (Even though you don't believe and you don't want anyone else to believe or have faith)

As far as a defense against these things. You are about 95% right, as a country we are not prepared to handle this type event. However, as individuals if we increase our ability to live in those conditions, we have a better chance to survive it. It's not full proof, but it is something. 

The Amish will probably not even notice an EMP.   Maybe I should grow a funny beard and change my name to Yoder.   How many horses does it take to pull a bus?

John

Hey, My wife was a Yoder from Ohio . I'll ask my father in law and see how many horse's it would take.

...but in the words or Winston Churchill, “Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Amazingly enough I actually quoted that quote during assembly at my school once; when we were prefects in the sixth form (ie, aged 18 and supposedly role-models for the younger pupils) each day one of us had to say something inspiring to the whole school during morning assembly. On one occasion I used that Winston Churchill quote (which I believe he made to the boys of his own school, on a return visit years later), and on a different occasion I quoted words said in a voice-over in an obscure Frankie Goes to Hollywood song ("In the paroxysms of intoxication the artistic power of all nature is revealed to the highest gratification of the primordial unity...."). That one goes on for some time, and I remember every word. When I eventually sat down the headmaster gave me a very strange look.

Yeah that whole primordial unity stuff. I am not much of a history buff. My oldest son has been educating me on history since he was about 12. I see you are from the UK, your verbage makes more sense to me now. When I first heard the speech I quoted it gave me the chills.

[chev49]

The girl's name is Nell of course...
Amish will see EMP strike as the rest of the country getting back to normal..
Think i will make my toad a buggy...

[artvonne]

  So anyway, I was just looking for some good ideas how to harden one of these old girls. My 50DN is dead (AFAIK, haven't tested it), and rather than put in another one I'm thinking about a big DC generator to replace it and run an old school mechanical voltage regulator. That would be about as bullet proof as I could think of. Next are the various appliances...

[Lin]

Was your 50DN 12v or 24v, gear or belt driven?

[artvonne]

  Belt driven