Winter Survival for Homeless Guy

I live north and the winters are killer as it is, they're calling for an extra cold winter this year. I really don't think I'm going to make it.

I have a messed up car that's barely running for shelter. I have a job but it doesn't pay enough. I can't afford rent and bills because I need to fix my car to keep this job, I have a severe dental situation that requires immediate surgery., That's expensive. I'm fricked one way or the other.

My Plan is to hang heavy wool blankets in the back seat and make like a tent, I have about 20 lbs worth. I can connect my electric blanket to an array of power tool batteries. It's enough power to run it sporadically through the night, I'll run it underneath my other blankets. I have a really small electric heater and small power station I can run that sporadically for maybe an hour tops.

I'm really hoping these blankets hold the heat. It's not going to be enough for sustained -25°c -40°c.

Even if it does, my problem will be moisture buildup. Maybe the electric heater can deal with that. I buy moisture grabber packs that do help, but it's not enough. Wet and cold won't be great.

Charging all that power will be difficult. I can get away with charging stuff at work, I charge with my car by driving and I have a solar panel in the back window to charge the power station. But it's not enough, I can't charge cold batteries they will die. I can't think of a way to keep them warm.

I have a jetboil I could boil water a couple times a day, boil water at work. Keep all the batteries in an insulated bag with hot water bottles.

I'm worried about the gas tanks for the jetboil in those temps.

They say when you freeze to death you'll reach a point where you stop feeling pain and just kinda wig out. So that's nice.

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LifeStraw Water Filter for Hiking and Preparedness

250 Piece Survival Gear First Aid Kit

  1. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    I'm not going to read your long ass post, but I'm just going to say this. I hope you, and all homeless people, die this winter. Do your best, friend!

    • 2 years ago
      Anonymous

      Thank you for taking the time sir

      Lmao drive to California, Black person, clearly there's nothing keeping you here.

      No passport. I actually made it across the mountains to Vancouver where it's warmer. But a crackhead stole my wallet so I had to come back to hit the registry, get my driver's licence and Id replaced. Now I'm stuck in a city I hate waging until I freeze to death.

      You're way overthinking this, staying warm at sub 0 temperatures is very easy, you just need a thick sleeping bag, like 4-6". Blocking the wind is the next most important thing and the car will do that. You can burn tea candles for heat which works surprisingly well I've found, won't make you warm but it takes the edge off the cold. Just don't burn your car down. Condensation isn't really a huge problem either it'll just drip down your windows.

      In any case these threads are always attention seeking stuff, if you haven't called your local churches, shelters etc for info before posting on fricking PrepHole then yeah I just can't feel sorry for ya mate.

      Thanks for the response, I will get some candles.

      >I have a jetboil I could boil water a couple times a day, boil water at work.
      Where do you work? I'm surprised you'd be homeless with full time. Debts? Habit? Anyway you might want to look into a samovar style setup where the chimney heats the water in the walls. Kelly kettle is an example but a little small for you maybe. I think the turks make them bigger

      I work at a good place, free snacks and drinks and coffee. We get free lunch multiple times a week.

      Full time doesn't matter when the wage is less then $20. It's enough to scrape by but one breakdown or dental situation etc. That's enough to put you into debt for a long time.

      Lived in a caravan for a month. Condensations a b***h. Maybe you should as your boss if you can set up shop in a trailer etc

      You can't let people know it leads to getting fired. I need a job.

      Is there any sort of wonder gear I'm missing? Other then a sleeping bag

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        >Is there any sort of wonder gear I'm missing? Other then a sleeping bag
        A sleeping bag comfort rated for your temps would be amazing, a sleeping bag with a survival rating for your temps plus the blankets would be far better than nothing. Cheap bags tend to be heavy but since you have a car that's less of an issue.
        In addition to sleeping bags some kind of baselayer would wick sweat if you briefly get too hot and add a bit to your temp rating. Got any military surplus stores around? Ecwcs level 1 top and bottom would be great if you can get some. Level 2 (midlayer), level 3 (insulation layer), and 5 (insulated jacket) would be useful if you find them. Levels 1 and 2 would be the most useful though. Some layered clothing like that would give you warmth without having to be stationary and wrapped in blankets.
        As far as condensation goes, if you can get a midweight buff or balaclava you can cover your face with that and leave it out of the sleeping bag/blanket. That way moisture will build up on the buff and on your windows but not inside the thing you're sleeping in.

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          I forgot, wool socks are good too

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          level 7 and 2 combo is the best, you can wear it like a sleeping bag and it keeps me warm down to 0F, it'd probably be even better if you're wearing an extra layer of regular clothes as well

  2. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Lmao drive to California, Black person, clearly there's nothing keeping you here.

    • 2 years ago
      Anonymous

      Any of the south coast states

  3. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    You're way overthinking this, staying warm at sub 0 temperatures is very easy, you just need a thick sleeping bag, like 4-6". Blocking the wind is the next most important thing and the car will do that. You can burn tea candles for heat which works surprisingly well I've found, won't make you warm but it takes the edge off the cold. Just don't burn your car down. Condensation isn't really a huge problem either it'll just drip down your windows.

    In any case these threads are always attention seeking stuff, if you haven't called your local churches, shelters etc for info before posting on fricking PrepHole then yeah I just can't feel sorry for ya mate.

  4. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    >I have a jetboil I could boil water a couple times a day, boil water at work.
    Where do you work? I'm surprised you'd be homeless with full time. Debts? Habit? Anyway you might want to look into a samovar style setup where the chimney heats the water in the walls. Kelly kettle is an example but a little small for you maybe. I think the turks make them bigger

  5. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Lived in a caravan for a month. Condensations a b***h. Maybe you should as your boss if you can set up shop in a trailer etc

  6. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    praying for you. stay warm brother

  7. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    I'm sorry you are in this situation, anon. What about support groups like churches, NGOs, local mutual aid groups (ask the DSA and see if they can put you in touch with the group/s in your city). I wish you all the best.

  8. 2 years ago
    Anonymous
  9. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Get yourself a roaster or a large pot and learn to heat rocks in a fire and put those in the metal pot and set the pot on the floor on top of something that won't burn.
    You can also cook on top of those rocks.

    You can wrap some towels or whatever around those rocks and place them throughout your engine compartment also keeping that warm.

  10. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Do what American punks have been doing since the dawn of their existence; move in with 15 other people for winter. Rent is cheap when it’s split between a dozen people.

  11. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    In addition to the anon who posted about tea candles, if you get a small terracotta pot and some bricks or rocks or something to sit it on and light the candle underneath it will trap much more heat

  12. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Drive south

  13. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    You can afford to get a shitty apartment. I'm talking about a closet-sized room in a house with 10 other people but it's better than sleeping in your car. Look on websites like kijiji for rooms for rent.

    In the meantime, either find another job or take on a second one. You need all the money you can get. It's gonna be hard but if you're smart you can work your way up.

  14. 2 years ago
    Anonymous

    Do something illegal that'd net you jail time for a couple months.

  15. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    What car do you have? Make and model

  16. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    homie, how tf do you frick up your teeth so bad? Use a fricking toothbrush for fricks sake. Another thing, staying warm at 0 sub temperature ain't that hard, use blankets, sheets and frick, just buy a better jacket. Seems like you drove yourself into this problem on your own anon, can't help ya much kekw.

  17. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    if you can, make a fire in you car. Sounds like it won’t really protect you from heat anyway, so a small pipe in the roof or just a rolled down window would be your best shot.

  18. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Maybe get a military surplus greatcoat from the cold war, those are like 50-100 bucks, maybe you can even get a bekesha (really warm). After the soviet union collapsed there were a frickton of those, and you can just buy them of off ebay.

  19. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Bind wire around a stone that is as large as a volleyball. Use the steel wire generously so that the rock is secured by it even if it splits. Heat up the rock in a campfire and hold on to it with a line of wire connected to it. Suspend the glowing hot rock inside your shelter by the wire. Make sure to not touch or drop the rock or you're in a sticky situation. When i did herd cattle an older colleague told me about this simple trick

  20. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    space blankets are $3 at wally world and you're gonna need them for insulating rather than that wool, use the 20lbs to bury yourself in and buy a 20ft roll of reflectix while you're at it
    also, steal the shit out of hand warmers, anything under $500 for a first time offense is usually a slap on the wrist

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