EMP Pulse Preparedness

I'm going to talk a little bit about solar power today. Now, there are some preppers out there that think that technology/electronics are going to be obsolete in a doomsday survival situation especially in the case of an EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) attack or damage to the power grid. I, however, don't think so. I think a little technology can go a long way especially if you prepare right.

Let's look at an EMP or Electro Magnetic Pulse. An EMP is a burst of electromagnetic radiation that results in damaging electric currents and voltage surges. This, in effect, will bring the whole electric grid off line. No electronic devices will work. Now, EMP's can be cause from high energy explosions. Some examples are nuclear explosions or a sudden fluctuation in the magnetic field of the earth caused by a large solar flare on the surface of the sun.

Now, regardless of if you think this may or may not be a possibility, it never hurts to be prepared! There are ways to combat an EMP pulse from ruining your electronics and bringing your electrical usage to a holt. How you ask? By protecting the objects that can be of the most help to you. The best way to protect your electronics from an EMP is to put it in a metal enclosure. Yes, that's what I said. Put the  electronics that you believe will be the most help to you in a completely metal box. A galvanized metal trash can with a metal lid is a great way to protect your electronic devices. 

Keep in mind, that you will not know when an EMP is going to hit. There really is no way to predict them. So, my advice is to store extra electronic equipment in a galvanized metal trash can or other completely metal container ahead of time. I would also place these items in a cardboard box before placing them in the trash can to keep the electronics themselves from touching the metal sides of the trash can or box. Then you can use metal tape to hold the lid on the trash can. That way it is always packed and ready.

Here are a list of the items I would include in my EMP protected enclosure.

·        An tablet PC and or an E-Reader  (Ipad, Nexus, Dell) -  Doesn't matter what brand, the point is they are very useful and able to store a lot of information (maps, survival guides, recipes, etc...). Make sure you store the whole thing along with its power cord. A tablet PC along with a solar charger will make your life a little easier. Download the information on them before hand so it is ready when you take it out. Download some e-books before hand as well. Trust me you will need a source of entertainment.

·        Cell Phone - Again it doesn't matter the brand. These are also good devices to have around because of the apps and information that you can download onto them. As well as being able to make phone calls in certain situations.

·        A couple of Dual Band Radios/walkie-talkies! - I might even put more than a couple of these away. If things do go badly and all electricity and communication is lost because of an EMP, a pair of hand radios is a great way to stay in touch with other people in your party and with Ham Radio users. Make sure your pack all power cables and chargers too.

·        A weather radio is also a good idea to put in there.

·        An MP3 player.

·        Solar Chargers - None  of the equipment above is going to do you any good if you don't have a way to charge them after you get them out. That's were solar chargers come in. There are all kinds of sizes and models out there. There are a lot of options out there and most are affordable, light weight, and can be easily carried in your backpack.

Now a lot of people are going to say, "You can't depend on electronics in a survival situation! They can break, get wet, or any number of things can happen to them!" This is true, but no more true than any electronic that you are currently using. Accidents happen to electronics all the time, but that doesn't stop people from using them if they have them. And, having them can make your life a little easier.