Introduction: What This Book is For What to Do Before the Lights Go Out: Be Prepared Before Anything Happens The Modern Fragile Grid: Why Outages Happen Mindset Before Materials: Calm, Not Chaos Creating a Preparedness Plan (That You'll Actually Follow) Home Energy Basics: Understanding Your Dependence Emergency Kits that Make Sense Preparing for Cold Preparing for Extreme Weather Preparing against Fire and Theft Optimizing Your Health for Every Eventuality Practical Skills that Will Improve Your Life Now Food Stockpiling and Storage for Real People Nutrition: Know What Your Body Needs Water: Access, Storage, Filtration Sanitation Supplies: Keeping Clean with Limited Water Alternative Toilets: The Scoop on Poop Emergency Energy Supplies: Keeping the Home Fires Burning Alternative Light Options Stay Informed without the Internet Small is Beautiful: Apartment Living Your Neighbourhood Network: Mutual Aid and Community Preparedness Paying for Stuff: Why Cash is King What to Do When the Lights Go Out: Coping in an Emergency The First Five Minutes: Staying Safe and Calm An Action Plan for Everyone Staying Safe During a Storm Lighting Your Space: Safe, Simple Illumination Staying Warm without Power Staying Cool without Power Feeding Yourself: No-Electricity Cooking and Food Safety Water Emergencies: What to Do (and What Not to Do) When the Tap Runs Dry Hygiene: Keeping Clean with a Limited Water Supply Security without Paranoia Look After Older People Make It Fun for the Kids Don't Forget the Pooch How to Make Cake on an Open Fire Foraging: Nature's Bounty Coping with Medical Needs When Nature Calls: An Honest Guide to Emergency Toilets What a Load of Rubbish Making the Most of Apartment Living Some Useful Life Hacks (That Don't Need Electricity) Knowing When to Stay, When to Go Calculating Distances: How Far Can I Go? Where Should I Go? Best Bug-Out Bag What to Do After the Lights Go Out: Reconnecting and Long-term Planning The First 72 Hours and Beyond Learning from the Blackout: What Worked, What Didn't Staying Strong: Why It's Already to Cry Strengthening Community Ties after a Crisis Cultivating Music and Culture Long-term Security: The Next Level Digital Balance: Tech Use After Disruption Sustainable Simplicity: Living Better with Less Paying for Stuff: Why Bartering is Best The Self-Sufficient Garden The Self-Sufficient Kitchen Understanding Natural Medicine The Self-Sufficient Workshop Power to the People: Generating Your Electricity at Home Off-grid Curious? Small Steps Towards Energy Independence Getting About: Low-impact, Low-cost Transport Pros and Cons of Home Education Preparedness as a Lifestyle, not a Project Location of Utilities and Emergency Equipment Emergency Contacts General Contacts Further Reading and Resources Index.