I was in Taipei during typhoon Nari. At that time a survival kit would come handy in the form of a torch and batteries. But I had a torch and batteries so maybe I qualify. We even went out and bought candles. But there was no electricity or gas for quite a while. But the rest of the country functioned fine, pretty much similar thing with the earthquake in 1999. Electricity was a bit unstable for a bit. But it’s almost impossible for a single disaster to impede the functioning of the whole country for any length of time, even a tiny nation like Taiwan. Even in Japan, which was hit by a tsunami and an earthquake AND nuclear emergency at the same time, Tokyo didn’t actually suffer much damage or discomfort except for electricity demand being rationed more carefully. It might have been a different story if Tokyo got hit with full force, but then the electricity supply may have been fine.
So yeah, if you are unlucky enough to be right in the middle of a disaster zone one might come in hand,sure.
That’s entirely true. The best thing about survival kits though is that you can pick and choose what you want from them during any given disaster, from something as small as a power outage or water disruption to an all out quake. They are very rarely used as one complete pack.
[quote=“Taiwan Luthiers”][quote=“Super Hans”][quote]This thread is a pile of doggy do-do. Taiwan functioned fine without electricity and running water for centuries, it’s not going back to the dark ages even in the event of economic issues.
People would just go back to their families and communities and work it out from there.[/quote]
Every country functioned without electricity and clean running water for centuries. Electricity has only been widely used for nbout 110 years.[/quote]
Back in those days they did not have the population density of modern societies. Sure you can function perfectly fine without electricity but with a high population density of modern cities, a lack of electricity means the city cannot function, because electricity is needed to keep foods fresh while it is being transported, and sometimes electricity is needed to transport them too (if transported by rail with electric locomotives). Electricity is also needed for buildings over 10 floors, because without elevator the building simply cannot function and no one will live in it. Air conditioning is also necessary for taller buildings since the wind is going to be so strong that windows cannot be opened. Not to mention you need electricity to pump water to those high buildings.
One must realize it is things like refrigeration, elevators, that cities were able to expand and that buildings taller than 5 stories became possible. Before electricity people had to live close to their food source, otherwise they would only eat canned food or preserved meat.[/quote]
Not to mention the fact that just a few generations ago most ot the population had a vastly different skills-set than the current convenience-store-fed population of this and many other countries. Many Taiwanese (or ) families don’t even cook, much less keep much food in the house or know how to do much of anything without power, water or sewage services.
Disasters like hurricane Katrina serve as stark reminders of what can happen if modern services and conveniences are cut off for even a short period. People were looting/fighting over a loaf of bread pretty quick. The often referenced line is something like society is 9 missed meals away from anarchy”
…seems about right 
BTW, another good item to have in you kit is a photocopy of you passport, IDs and any other important docs… and dont forget cash. Those ATMS probably wont be working either.
What have we learned so far?
Go out and rent/buy a house with a garden or a farm to grow your own stuff … have your own water source, solar power, methane production … best close to water where fish can be caught …
Mega cities are dead traps …
BTW, you don’t need an elevator to survive in a skyscraper … in Venezuela they occupied and turned one into a slum …
