A power cut is a brief annoyance for most people. You light candles, reach for your cell phone light and wait. But what if the wait never ends? What if hours turn into days - or even weeks? Then it quickly becomes clear which household appliances are really important.
Preppers know: Not everything has to be running. Nobody needs a games console or a big screen TV in a crisis. But Critical devices - Refrigerators, radios, medical aids, lamps - can be decisive for health, safety and freedom of action.
What does „critical“ even mean?
A device becomes critical when its failure has immediate consequences: spoiled food, lack of communication, health risks or simply the inability to find your way in the dark.
You could divide it into three categories:
- Vital for survivalMedical equipment, refrigeration of medicines, clean drinking water.
- Safety-relevant: radios, lighting, alarm systems.
- Close to comfort, but psychologically importantRefrigerator for food, chargers for cell phones, radio for information.
Why not just do „business as usual“?
The temptation is great: a generator starts up, you plug everything in and carry on. But in practice, this is neither sustainable nor sensible. In a crisis, energy is a resource like water or food. It needs to be allocated and used in a targeted manner.
Ask yourself: Which device provides the greatest benefit per watt hour? A refrigerator can save food for days. A radio keeps you in contact with the outside world. A lamp provides orientation and safety. A television? Probably not.
Overview of critical devices and their energy requirements
| Device | Typical consumption (per day) | Benefits in the event of a crisis |
| Refrigerator | 1-2 kWh | Preservation of food |
| Radio (handheld) | few Wh | Communication, emergency call |
| LED lamp/headlamp | < 10 Wh | Light, orientation |
| Radio | 10-50 Wh | Information, News |
| Medical devices (e.g. CPAP) | Highly variable | Health, Survival |
| Cell phone | approx. 5-10 Wh | Communication, information, navigation |
These figures are only a guide, but they show: Not every appliance draws on energy reserves in the same way.
Refrigerator - savior of supplies
Fresh food is a double-edged sword in a crisis. It is nutritious and valuable, but spoils quickly. A refrigerator extends their shelf life - but at the cost of considerable energy.
Strategies for preppers:
- Buffer coldKeep the fridge as full as possible, fill empty bottles with water. The mixture keeps cold for longer.
- Keep doors closedEvery unnecessary glance costs hours of cooling.
- Cooling instead of freezingFreezers are real energy guzzlers. It is better to use up stocks early.
- Combination with generatorRun the refrigerator on an hourly basis, not permanently.
Radios - the voice in the silence
In a blackout, not only does the power go out, but often the telephone network as well. Cell phone reception is then not a safe bet. Radios, on the other hand, are independent.
- PMR radios (license-free, short range): ideal for home, neighborhood, small groups.
- Amateur radios (subject to license, wide range): enable communication far beyond the region.
- Crank or solar radiosOften combined with radio and lamp, self-contained and robust.
Radio is not just about information. It is also the feeling of not being alone - and that is just as valuable psychologically as it is technically.
Lighting - small lights, big effect
Darkness is more than just the absence of light. It makes you vulnerable, insecure and anxious. That is why lighting is one of the most important factors in emergency preparedness.
Sensible solutions:
- LED headlamps - Hands free, minimum consumption.
- Small USB lamps - Can be combined with power banks.
- Lanterns with rechargeable batteries or solar - for recreation rooms.
The rule here is: it is better to have several small light sources than one large one. Redundancy protects against sudden darkness.
Medical devices - often underestimated
If you are dependent on devices for your health, you need to take double precautions in an emergency. Examples include CPAP devices for sleep apnea, insulin coolers and oxygen concentrators.
Measures:
- Know electricity consumption in advance.
- Provide spare batteries or emergency power solutions.
- Consult your doctor or health insurance company: some offer special emergency batteries or tips on crisis prevention.
This is not about comfort, but literally about survival.
Power supply - how to keep critical devices running
Energy is the limiting factor. Batteries, rechargeable batteries, power banks, solar panels, generators - they are the tools. But how do you use them sensibly?
Methods:
- Prioritization - First vital appliances, then communication, then comfort.
- Use buffer - Charge power banks and batteries when energy is available.
- Combine solar - Unsuitable for permanent devices, but ideal for lamps, radio, cell phone.
- Using the generator tactically - Leave the refrigerator running for hours while charging other appliances.
Lists for the practice
Minimum set for on the go
- Radio device (handheld).
- Headlamp with spare batteries.
- Powerbank (min. 20,000 mAh).
- Small solar panel.
Equipment for the home
- Refrigerator + plan for tactical operation.
- Radio equipment (PMR + possibly amateur radio).
- Several LED lamps and lanterns.
- Generator + fuel.
- Solar panel with storage battery.
A thought experiment
Imagine a hot summer's day. The power goes out and you know it could last longer. There's meat, milk and fresh vegetables in the fridge. The clock is ticking. Without power, the supplies will be gone in two days.
With a small generator, you decide to run the fridge twice a day for two hours. In the meantime, you charge power banks and radios. Neighbors knock, their radio is silent - you can help by briefly charging their batteries. Technical precaution also becomes community.
Psychological dimension
Critical devices are not just functional carriers. They provide security. A humming fridge sounds like normality. A glowing radio is like an anchor in the stream of news. A radio call from across the street dispels the feeling of isolation.
I remember a short power cut in winter, just a few hours. It wasn't dangerous, but it was strange. It was only when I heard the click of the radio and the warm LED light came on that the feeling of helplessness disappeared. Technology can provide comfort.
Conclusion - use technology wisely, don't waste it
Operating critical devices for preppers is not a luxury, but an art of balance. It's not about maintaining your usual daily routine one-to-one. It's about that, specifically operate the devices that safeguard life, safety and morale.
A refrigerator that saves food. A radio that connects. A lamp that breaks the darkness.
The preparation begins now: Know your appliances, measure your energy requirements and plan suitable solutions. If you do this, you won't be at a loss in an emergency, but will have a plan - and perhaps the most important advantage of all.
Deutsch
English