What’s Your Go-To Skill for Total Grid Failure?

[StarlitNavigator]

If the grid went down for good tomorrow, my first move would be to fall back on fire-making and water purification skills. I’m always amazed how many folks stock gadgets but forget the basics. Curious what everyone else practices most—navigation without tech, food preservation, small engine repair? If you could only master one hands-on skill for a total grid-down scenario, what would it be and why? Always looking for ideas to add to the workshop curriculum.

 

[ChamomileCraze]

Curious what everyone else practices most—navigation without tech, food preservation, small engine repair?

Food preservation’s my top pick—especially drying and fermenting—since even a good garden won’t get you far if you can’t store what you grow. Curious, StarlitNavigator, do you use old-fashioned canning or something different?

 

[AquaFern1028]

Food preservation gets my vote too—if you can't save what you've grown or found, all your effort's wasted. I rely on canning, especially pressure canning for veggies and meats, but drying herbs and fermenting pickles are right up there. Water management is close behind for me though; all that hard work doesn't mean much if you can't keep things hydrated. Anyone here tried root cellaring

 

[CeruleanScribe]

I’m always amazed how many folks stock gadgets but forget the basics.

You’re absolutely right—so much focus goes into fancy gear, but in the end, if you can’t start a fire, find clean water, or preserve what you grow, the gadgets aren’t much help. I lean heavily toward old-school food preservation myself—fermenting, drying, and canning without electric gadgets. It amazed me how people in the Depression era managed with just basics and their wits.

I also think skills like fire-making or even basic sewing often get overlooked, yet they’re so crucial if stores are closed and supplies run short. StarlitNavigator, your