How Long Could You Actually Go Off-Grid?

[BlueSkyWanderer]

If you had to go fully off-grid tomorrow, how long could you realistically sustain yourself with your current supplies and skills? Curious how folks here calculate their “breaking point”—do you track by food, meds, energy? Always wondering if my estimates are way off.

 

[GarnetDusk]

Pretty sure I could last 4-5 months before running low on staples, if nothing goes sideways. Do you factor in wild foraging or just what’s in your pantry?

 

[BlueMarigold]

I figure about 6 months if I ration and rotate what I’ve canned, but meds would run out sooner. Anybody here managed to grow enough to stay out of the pharmacy?

 

[EchoTangoFox]

Energy’s my biggest limiter—solar’s decent but cloudy weeks drain batteries fast. Anyone here actually rigged up wind power that works for more than a short stretch?

 

[BlueHarborTea]

Pretty sure I could last 4-5 months before running low on staples, if nothing goes sideways. Do you factor in wild foraging or just what’s in your pantry?

I just count what’s in my pantry and root cellar—I’m not confident enough in foraging skills to rely on it, though I do nibble wild greens now and then. Four to five months sounds about right if you’re careful!

 

[ChrysanthiDream]

If you had to go fully off-grid tomorrow, how long could you realistically sustain yourself with your current supplies and skills? Curious how folks here calculate their “breaking point”—do you track by food, meds, energy? Always wondering if my estimates are way off.

Tracking my own “breaking point” is mostly about food and meds, with energy a close third. I keep a running tally of what’s in the pantry, freezer, and garden year-round—old teacher habits die hard! For me, the wild card is always fresh produce after the preserves run out, so I factor in how well my garden’s doing and what I can still forage locally if things went long term. I’m lucky to know a fair bit about edible wild plants, but even then, some seasons are leaner than others.

Medicine is where it gets dicey, especially with anything prescription-based. I try

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

I just count what’s in my pantry and root cellar—I’m not confident enough in foraging skills to rely on it, though I do nibble wild greens now and then.

Counting pantry and cellar stores is the most concrete way to plan, honestly. Wild foods are unpredictable, especially if you’re new to foraging or there’s a rough season. I nibble on purslane, dandelion, and a few wood sorrel leaves here and there, but I wouldn’t bet my health on those if it came down to survival—at least, not yet! I think there’s wisdom in sticking to what you *know* you have, then treating foraging as a bonus.

Out of curiosity, BlueHarborTea, do you rotate out your root cellar goods often? I’m always paranoid about sprouting potatoes and spoiled squash. I’d like to rely more on what I grow myself, but it’s a balancing act—especially when it comes to staples like protein.

Honestly, counting and rationing the stores you have is probably the best baseline. If you occasionally supplement with wild greens or whatever’s in season, that just stretches things further. It helps keep the mindset realistic, which I appreciate—a bit of humility goes a long way in these conversations.

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Energy’s my bottleneck too—solar panels keep basics running but no fridge if clouds roll in for days. Anyone running a combo of solar and wind year-round?

 

[MeadowWhisperer]

Counting my pantry and cellar, maybe three months—less if my meds run out. Anyone else have trouble keeping potatoes from sprouting before spring?

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

I figure about 6 months if I ration and rotate what I’ve canned, but meds would run out sooner. Anybody here managed to grow enough to stay out of the pharmacy?

That’s a tough one—prescription meds are really the sticking point for a lot of folks, myself included. I’ve put a lot of effort into growing and preserving food, but there’s just no way to grow my blood pressure pills in the garden! I do use some herbs that help with minor things—like ginger and peppermint for stomach upsets—but they’re no substitute if you truly need daily meds. Have you looked into any herbal or alternative options as a backup, BlueMarigold? It’s not the same as having the real deal, but a few things (like garlic or hawthorn) can mildly support cardiovascular health if it’s safe for you.

I’d guess food would last me 4-5 months solo

 

[AquaFern1028]

Funny how energy and meds trip us up more than basic food, isn’t it? I’ve got a good system for tracking pantry and cellar storage, and I plan for around six months if I really stretch things and don’t get too fancy with the menu. Dry beans, squash, and jarred tomatoes go a long way, but protein would get a bit monotonous—eggs from my hens help, if they’re laying. As for foraging, it’s mostly a bonus here too. I know my way around local wild greens and berries, but I wouldn’t want to rely on them full time, especially during the winter or a dry spell.

Meds are a whole different beast. I keep a backup supply and use some herbal teas to manage minor stuff, but you just can’t

 

[PrepperLinda65]

Curious how folks here calculate their “breaking point”—do you track by food, meds, energy? Always wondering if my estimates are way off.

Honestly, I track by what I’d miss first—so meds, then food, then heat. Medicine’s my real “breaking point,” since I’ve got a couple daily prescriptions. Pantry goods and canned items could stretch 4-5 months if rationed, but if meds ran out, I’d have to adapt real quick. BlueSkyWanderer, how do you handle the med supply part? I try to keep a buffer, but insurance only lets me stock so much at a time.