Lets not kid ourselves. It’s too late, we’ve reached critical mass, the things we’ve been saying are true unless we do something are now certain. The world is going to have severe weather affecting ecosystems, biodiversity and especially food supply risking tension and possible nuclear strikes on built up areas due to lack of resource, as if the risk wasn’t high already. The the supporting ecosystems are likely to fail in a chain causing mass panic and death. You will require, genuinely require, a sturdy and secure climate controlled (probably underground) shelter with power and food to survive. You really can build you own shelter in your back garden and install filters pumps and generator/solar/nuclear/algae-hydrogen/alcohol power and aquaponic (fish and plants), guinea fowl and bantam farms, and stocks of food vitamins and minerals, entertainment and communication. This is all you really need to have everything life needs off grid. It can, with effort the average person could posses, and especially with community effort, be done for less than $500 per 4 person shelter for real. There is hope for the majority yet.
The Ultimate DIY Bunker: An Affordable Blueprint for Self-Sufficiency
In building our DIY bunker, a conscious decision was made to utilize manual labour and sustainable methods over pricier alternatives. This meant excavating the ground ourselves and reinforcing the structure with pallet wood, a process you can learn from Instructables. The matter of climate control in the bunker is challenging yet vital. Traditional air conditioning units may demand sophisticated electrical systems. As alternatives, eco-friendly swamp coolers and pipe coolers, which capitalize on the cooling effect of evaporation, can be employed. Humidity is an inherent concern in subterranean settings. For this, consider an alcohol-powered dehumidifier. With sufficient alcohol production, the same engine-alternator combination mentioned earlier can power this dehumidifier. For a touch of home and comfort, integrate an old mattress and bedding. With dedication and informed choices, this bunker design can be both a refuge and a sustainable living space.
In today’s world, having a safe, self-sufficient space is not only a dream for many but also an achievable goal. This guide walks you through the process of creating your underground bunker with an emphasis on sustainability, minimalism, and affordability. Let’s dive into the cost breakdown and the components of this bunker:
Materials Collection:
- Fuel for collecting pallets: £5-10. Pallets are versatile and can be used in numerous aspects of your bunker. They can be found free from many businesses on industrial estates. You can use the non-broken parts of the pallets they throw away.
- Nails: £50.
Excavation:
- Digging a hole: £0. Remember, manual labour is free, and it’s also great exercise!
Insulation & Vapour Barrier:
- Dry grass and leaves: £0. Nature’s gift, these are effective and freely available insulating materials.
- Bin bags and Duct tape: £10. Essential for sealing and providing a barrier against moisture.
Ventilation:
- Efficient airflow is crucial. Invest in an air carbon filter (£30) and a 12v air pump (£25).
Battery Restoration:
- This is all about sustainability. Retrieve batteries from a scrapyard (£60 total for 6x100ah) and rejuvenate them using a pulsing device (£30) and ionized water (£5).
Pond Construction:
- A sustainable food source is a must. For £60, you can build a pond with a liner and stock it with breeding carp. It can also be used as a reservoir for water that you process into drinking water with the still.
Planting Materials & Infrastructure:
- Cultivate your green thumb! A 1000 variety multi-seed pack provides variety at £10. Use already-owned hosepipes and recycled containers for planting.
- Optional grow medium: £20. This is only needed if you’re not using the excavated soil as a grow medium.
Distillation & Power Generation:
- A DIY Pot Still (£35) can be used to provide alcohol to a repurposed chainsaw or tool engine (£10), and an old alternator (£5 from scrapyard) can set up a basic power-generation system.
Concrete and Gravel:
- Essential for structural integrity. Allocate £100 for this.
Electronics & Literature:
- Stay connected and informed with a cheap 2-way multi function radio (£30) that can provide local comms, a second-hand tablet PC can make them digital and provide movies and books (£50), an external hard drive (£20) can store a whole library, add a collection of paper books (£20).
Poultry:
- Chickens are a renewable source of protein. Start with a pair of breeding bantams (£40). This is white meat.
Guinea Pigs:
- Another protein source. Get started with a breeding pair (£20). This is red meat.
Heating & Cooking:
- DIY skills shine with an alcohol stove for heat and cooking made from old cans. Zero cost, if you recycle!
Food & Nutrition:
- Stock up on essentials: vitamins (£80 for 4 people for a year) and basic food items like rice, pasta, lentils, beans and oats (£50).
Insect Farms:
- For a continuous protein supply for the fish and chickens, set up a Black Soldier Fly Farm (£10) and a Mealworm Farm (£20-£25). You can also eat these yourself if you are desperate.
Water Treatment:
- Ensure clean water with a pH Tester (£14) and pH adjusting liquids (£30).
Water Distillation & Waste Management:
- Use the DIY still for water distillation. Also, get a sewage pump (£20) which you can use in an emergency to pump sewage to the surface.
Medical Supplies:
- Safety first! A comprehensive first aid kit costs about £50.
Entertainment & Communication:
- Leisure is crucial. Use board games from your home and invest in spare phone chargers (£10).
Fire Safety:
- Always be prepared with a fire extinguisher (£20).
In essence, for a ballpark figure of around £950, you have a self-sustained, environmentally friendly, and safe space to call your haven.
A Few Tips:
- Maintenance: An ecosystem needs regular monitoring. Invest in learning or using platforms like Kiwix to download manuals and guides related to your bunker components.
- Community: Share your knowledge. Create a group with like-minded individuals to share insights, tips, and resources.
- Iterate: As with all DIY projects, your first version may not be perfect. Learn, adapt, and improve.
