The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on people’s financial, physical, and emotional states. When the crisis was at its peak, quite a lot of people turned to YouTube to watch vloggers living off-the-grid or showing survival skills. With the chaotic scenes in metropolis areas and the uncertainties that come with the pandemic, there are quite a lot of people who welcomed the idea of living in a secluded place.
If you happen to be among those people dreaming of an off-grid existence, there are certain things you must secure first. With these essential items, you can be sure to enjoy safe and relatively comfortable remote living.
Here are seven off-grid living items you must have:
Table of Contents
Solar power system.
No remote living setup would be complete without a solar power system in the equation. Solar energy is among the cleanest energy sources out there, along with thermal, biomass, wind, and hydroelectric energy.
As such, you should get a solar power system ready before heading out to build your remote cabin. There are DIY solar power kits that you can buy from online sellers or you can just hire a professional installer to set one up for you. With this energy source in your off-grid cabin, you’ll have access to a clean energy source even when you’re miles away from civilization.
Water filtration device and tablets.
Out in the wild, access to potable water is key to survival. You may survive long without food, but without water, you won’t stand a chance.
This is why you must invest in a reliable water filtration device to help you out in your quest for a safe off-grid lifestyle. You can buy the small ones for personal use, but you should also purchase a kit that’s designed to process large quantities of water. You should also grab some purification tablets for backup since they could last for up to a year and purify up to 20 liters of water daily.
Fire starting tools.
While you may have a portable propane cooking set readily available, you’ll still need a manual fire starting device for when the propane runs out. Thus, be sure to have multiple fire starters handy in your cabin.
Among others, get a solar fire starter that works great when the sun’s intense. You should likewise invest in a ferrocerium starter kit that will help you start a fire when there’s no sunlight available. It won’t be overkill to have several fire starter tools, especially if you intend to be in it for the long haul.
Cooking utensils.
Of course, you’ll need things to cook your food with, which is why you have to pack cooking utensils before you head out into the wilderness. This should be no problem as there are plenty of stores that sell outdoor equipment, including portable cook sets.
Be sure to include a wood-fired stove that works as a typical survival stove and as an indoor heating device. A mess kit with a coffee mug, plate, spoon, fork, and knife should also be in your arsenal. Lastly, throw in some pots and pans, as well as a spatula and other items to cook food.
Medicines and first aid kit.
Being injured or ill in a remote location is a dangerous scenario, especially if it happens to be out of coverage of cell sites. For such possibilities, the simple proactive step is to have a comprehensive first aid kit and medicines for common illnesses such as cold, diarrhea, and fever. If you happen to be on maintenance medication, then make sure you’ll have at least a full month’s supply of your meds.
Waterproof tent, sleeping bag, and thermal blanket.
A sleeping bag is for those days when you just want to snooze in the relative comfort and safety of your off-grid cabin. A waterproof tent, meanwhile, is for those instances when you want a more authentic and adventurous outdoor experience. Finally, a thermal blanket is for those worst-case scenarios when both your cabin and tent are destroyed or unavailable.
Personal protection and building tools.
When you’re out and alone in the wild, you could come upon all sorts of dangers at any given time — wild animals and unwanted visitors among the most likely candidates. As such, be sure to take personal protection tools with you such as a knife, a taser, and pepper spray.
Also, don’t forget to bring building tools like an ax, hammer, shovel, rope, and handsaw if you intend to build things such as a shed, a basic wall, and the like.
Off-grid living can be something to make you fully happy and at peace, particularly during this pandemic. By having these essential items, you can expect your remote lifestyle quest to be as safe and as comfortable as possible.