While it is unlikely and not exactly pleasant to think about, the occurrence of large-scale nuclear disaster is a real threat that should be taken seriously. As is the case with any natural disaster, prepping for nuclear fallout is something that can and should be done to mitigate losses in the unlikely event nuclear war does occur. PVC pipe is an inexpensive, versatile material that can be used in a variety of projects, especially ones involving disaster prepping. This article will showcase 10 PVC pipe DIYs that are essential for a fully stocked fallout shelter. Without further ado, let’s get prepping!

This DIY PVC knife holder build from The Family Handyman is a great addition to any fallout shelter. Requiring only some PVC pipe, a PVC cutter, tape measure, 2 end caps per holder, and some PVC cement, these PVC knife holders are cheap and easy to make. Using these knife holders will help you keep your knives clean and organized, an extremely useful function in a nuclear fallout scenario

A PVC survival cache is a great way to store smaller items such as batteries, flashlights, and lighters. Another benefit of these caches is that they can be buried in places only you know the location of, and the PVC pipe will make it harder for metal detectors to locate the contents of the cache. The writers over at Commercial Industrial Supply created a very detailed guide that includes a list of all the materials you will need

  Another extremely useful prepping project from The Family Handyman is overhead PVC garage storage. If you have wooden ceiling joists in your shelter, you can create a space-saving storage unit for items such as metal rods or fishing poles. All you’ll need is some PVC pipe, PVC elbows, a drill, a PVC cutter, some PVC cement, and some WYE connectors (optional; they can be attached to cross braces for extra support).
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This hanging garden build from BuzzFeed is a great way to increase your food-growing capacity without taking up much space. Simply take some PVC pipe with your outside diameter of choice and cut off the entire top half/fourth, leaving some of the top portion on the ends of the pipe to hang it with. Once your garden is set up, you can grow small plants like peppers and parsley. 

An oil recovery system made out of PVC pipe is a great way to conserve scarce motor oil in the event of nuclear fallout. All you need to make this project is some PVC pipe, some 45- and 90- degree elbows, some T-fittings, and some pipe straps. Once the build is complete, simply use the pipe straps to secure the recovery system on a wall and place a container with a funnel at the lower end. This project is great as it is practical for everyday use as well as doomsday prepping. Additionally, it can be used to preserve other valuable

Coming from user newwarhammer2 over at Instructables, this DIY PVC bow project is a great addition to any prepper’s arsenal. A bow has the benefit of having ammunition that isn’t unreasonably hard to craft yourself, and using one is much quieter than firing a gun. The Instructables article has an in-depth list of materials needed and steps required to craft a PVC bow.
 

This PVC chicken feeder build from user ugarxfish over at Instructables is an inexpensive project that can bolster any homestead’s self-sufficiency. Building a chicken feeder out of PVC is much cheaper than buying one from a farming supply store and allows much more customization. The Instructables article has a detailed set of instructions as well as a list of required materials.

The firewood carrying device build courtesy of Survival Hax may be a simple project, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t helpful. Simply take some rope or paracord and tie it to both ends of a PVC pipe length. This awesome device will enable you to carry much larger loads of firewood than if you were only using your hands.

axA PVC Canteen is a simple, cheap, and effective way to store your water in the case of disaster. All you’ll need is a length of PVC pipe, 2 end caps, some PVC cement, and some rope (optional; you can use rope if you want to carry the canteen on your shoulder). Once finished, you’ll have a handy water storage device that is much cheaper than store-bought canteens.
Source: Survival Hax

Last but not least, this DIY PVC bow stand build from Survival Life is a great addition to any fallout shelter and is a much cheaper alternative to purchasing a bow stand. The Survival Life article has a detailed list of instructions and required materials.

Picture courtesy of user laroye123 over at ArcheryTalk.com

Hopefully, reading this article has given you some ideas on how to make sure your fallout shelter is fully prepared in case of disaster. Thanks for reading, and happy prepping!
 
Author Bio:
Mark Ligon is the Marketing Manager at PVC Fittings Online, an online store that features PVC products including pipe, fittings (CPVC, PVC, Etc.), valves, plumbing supply, and more. Mark enjoys completing DIY projects and providing valuable PVC-related tips to individuals looking to complete their own DIY projects.
 
 

Lighting 
Lucky for us, in most EMP type conditions, basic small equipment like flashlights will most likely still work. Unless you are relatively close to the EMP's effective radius, technologies like flashlights should still work (They generally have very simple designs and minimal friable components). A great fix to lighting is going to be solar powered flashlights. 

Avoid the ones you shake, as these generally are more vulnerable to failure during a blast. In going old school, something I really enjoy using while camping is my Kerosene lantern. Not only do they look cool, they can last a very long time and are cheap to maintain. If you really want a flashlight and your concerned about it getting fried, build your self a Faraday Cage

Hopefully you have been able to get a better idea on how to prepare for an EMP attack. Although this is one of the most unlikely event's to happen, it can still be a very scary thought and would probably cause the most harm to our standard way of living. Start thinking about the things you do every day that rely on technology. What would you do if you no longer had the technology to support this requirement, and how would you manage without it?

I still appreciate the technologies of the past, non-dependent on electronics and simple in nature. Going old school is the best way to prepare for an EMP attack in today’s world.
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By Dennis Diaz

Building An Urban Survival Kit
Urban Survival Kit Planning Factors
Via The Bugout Bag Guide

Bug out situations that occur in urban centers have a number of unique factors to consider when building your Bug Out Bag packing list.  These urban survival factors include:

• Having to deal with building debris and glass in the wake of the disaster event
• Increased likelihood of opportunities to scavenge water and food from abandoned buildings
• Possibility of finding supply caches in abandoned buildings – looting is not endorsed by this site but if abandoned supplies mean the difference between life and death, go for it
• Increases likelihood of encountering humans – This can be both good and bad based on the disposition of the people encountered and how you handle the situation.  Other survivors can be bartered with and be valuable sources for information as well as dangerous criminals.  Approach them with caution in mind.
• Less need for emergency shelter as there should be many buildings around and debris available to cobble a shelter together if need be.

Some urban survival kit gear that will help you deal with these factors:

• Crow bar/pry bar – For scavenging and removing barriers and debris as well as hammering out glass.
• Tool for Fire Hydrants/Gas Mains – This is useful if you find yourself in a house with gas leaking or if you want to access a fire hydrant for some clean water.
• Work Gloves – If you have to break glass or move debris these will save your hands and keep you working and moving much longer.  These can be picked up in any hardware store.
• Dust Mask – If there are collapsed buildings in your area this will protect your lungs from airborne debris particles.  These can also be picked up in any hardware store.
• Permanent Marker – The nature of the urban environment will give you opportunities to leave markings or notes for yourselves or others in your party.
• Can opener – In an urban survival situation there will be many more opportunities to scavenge food than in a rural locality.  A can opener will enable you to easily access preserved food that you come across.
• Metal Spork – Scavenged food will need a way to get to your mouth.

•  

This post might cause some controversy but its definitely worth a discussion. It is a video from former Navy SEAL Chad Wade about urban survival and its real world consequences. 

Here's an excerpt from the video: “There’s a ton of urban survival gear out there for sale. Maybe that’s why prepper experts continue to talk about urban survival as though such a thing exists. 

But living in a city isn’t a death sentence. There is an easy and cheap way to protect your family from urban violence, if it ever erupts."

Watch as Chad demonstrates the very method he used to create viable survival options for his own family, even though he lives in the big city.”

This is for informational purposes only. Hotwiring a car is dangerous and there is a substantial risk of electrical shock.

Items Needed

• Wire cutters and strippers
  
• Pliers
  
• Flathead screwdriver
  
• Phillips head screwdriver
  
• Hammer
  
• Insulated gloves

1. Hammer the flathead screwdriver into the ignition and turn it like you would a regular key. If you need help turning it, use the pliers to turn the screwdriver. (On some cars, this act alone will start the car.)
2. Remove the screws and panels above and below the steering column. Once the panels are removed you will see several wires underneath the steering column.
3. Locate the two red wires. These provide power to the vehicle.
   
4. Put on insulated gloves. Cut both red power wires and strip the ends. Then twist the two red wires together.
5. Locate the brown wires. Some cars have only one brown wire and others have two. These wires connect to the starter.
6. Cut both brown wires. Strip the ends. Then touch the two wires together to start the car. Once the car is started do not let the wires touch again, keep them separated. Do not let the ends touch you or you will get shocked. If the car has only one brown wire, then touch the brown wire to the red power wires to start the car.
7. If the steering wheel is not already unlocked, jam the flathead screwdriver in between the top of the steering column and top of the steering wheel and break the lock.
8. To turn the car off when done driving, simply separate the two red power wires.

Remember, hotwiring is dangerous and you could get electrocuted.