Two major earthquakes, both with pretty devastating results.  Have you learned anything?  Both the earthquake in Haiti and most recently in Chile should be a call to action for you.  Are you ready?  Are your bags at standby?  Do you have a plan to get out or stay put?  Do your kids know what would happen in an emergency?  How will you get to them if they’re in school?  Please, if you do nothing else, have some extra food and water so you won’t face the dangerous mobs trying to find survival essentials.  Here’s a quick list:

Water - this is your #1 priority, you will not live without it, have more than you think you’ll need

Food- have enough for at least 3 weeks, preferably more

First Aid Supplies - at least the basics; bandages, antibiotic ointment and painkillers

Safety Equipment - flashlights, radio, extra batteries

Comfort Items - games and non-electric toys to keep the kids busy, books - a solar charger could keep a DS working and the kids happy

If all the information about preparing overwhelms you, take a weekend and pull together these basic items.  You’ll be glad you did and it could be the difference between a disaster being an inconvenience and a death sentence.

Like all good preppers I’ve give lots of thought to different scenarios that could play out in the event of a life-changing disaster.  We all have our dream retreat in our heads, but what if something happens that forces us to leave our homes and “get out of dodge” before we have a planned place to bug out to?  Hopefully you have some type of portable shelter, be it a camper that can be towed or an all-weather tent.  Remember when faced with the elements shelter is right under water in terms of importance for survival.

I’ve become interested in researching how some of the original Native Americans survived for decades in the same areas we live now, but without all the modern conveniences.  We can take a page from their history in how to provide ourselves shelter with local wild materials if necessary.

Eastern Woodland Indians mostly built longhouses using young, bendable trees for the support structure and large pieces of bark for a covering.  They left air holes in the ceiling and sides for smoke ventilation.  These holes had flaps that could be closed when it rained or was very cold.  They also erected tall pole fences which kept unwanted guests away and made the house more defensible against attack.

Smaller, wood structured wigwams were sometimes used in wooded areas.  These too were made by bending young trees, or standing up logs and then covering with bark or animal skins. 

Navajos built hogans which are very similar to wigwams, but often included mud and bark which made them more permanent structures.

Tipis (teepees) were used by the plains Indians and are what most of us associate with Native American culture.  They were constructed of stout poles with animal skins or canvas stretched over, leaving a flap in the front for a door.  If you were able to find a tarp or canvas, this would be the easiest and most portable shelter to build.

When putting together your preps, don’t forget items for use as your bug-out shelter.  4-season tents are very versatile and will keep you protected from the elements.  Purchase the most expensive sleeping bags you can afford, and make sure you have extra blankets tucked away with your bug-out gear.  A tarp is an excellent idea to include in your gear and can be used to provide extra shelter area or placed over your tent for added insulation. 

A more long-term solution, especially during winter, is to build a shelter like the Native Americans did.  Be aware of what’s available in your area and educate yourself on basic structural layout.  Shelter is crucial to your survival so prepare now.

I was reading an interesting thread over at Flu Wiki yesterday about how to prepare in 24 hours.  There were varying thoughts on if this is even possible and I thought I’d post a little about that today.

I don’t think those who will try to prepare in 24 hours can really call themselves preppers.  I think it’s possible to stock up on some basic necessities within one day - but there are so many unknowns that I wouldn’t want to leave the safety of my family to “what ifs”.  My own experience over the last few weeks with the swine flu outbreak have proven to me that if I don’t have the things I need well before the panic strikes, I’m out of luck.  I still can’t find any Purell or face masks and the stores are still getting shipments - the suppliers themselves are running short.  Thankfully give it another couple weeks and the shelves will be stocked again, but I’m learning from this exercise.  While we’re all grateful that this current wave isn’t too serious yet, we know it’s coming.  Eventually.  If it’s a pandemic, we’ll probably have a little notice that it’s coming.  However, most disasters strike without warning, so it’s prudent to prepare beforehand.

If you had 24 hours to prepare, what should you buy?  Here’s a list of what I would consider the bare necessities:

Water - The average person needs between 2.2 and 3 liters per day to remain healthy, more if you’re very active, ill or nursing.  That’s just for drinking, you’ll need extra for cooking and hygiene.  1 gallon is approximately 4 liters, so on the safe side you should have at the very least 1 gallon per day per person.  If you’re stocking up for three months, that’s 90 gallons of water per person.  That’s a lot of water, so you’ll have to make due with less.  Think about other sources of water once your stock supply runs out.

Food - We can survive on a lot less than our current average daily calorie intake.  However, food is a comfort and in times of need, food stress can overwhelm you.  Think first about easy to prepare foods that won’t require water or heating.  Canned foods are a must and then supplement with packaged foods with a long shelf life. 

First Aid - Masks, gloves, OTC medicines and basic supplies like bandages and antibiotic ointments are a must.

Hygiene - Dirt is not your friend.  Keeping clean is just as important as having water to drink.  Soaps, alcohol rubs and hydrogen peroxide will cut down on germs that can cause sickness.  Don’t forget chlorine bleach for disinfecting - this is a great last minute item as it doesn’t have a long shelf life, but will outlast a three month quarantine.

It’s impossible to predict what our next emergency will be.  Think ahead and stock up now, leaving the last 24 hours for gathering fresh produce and other last minute items.  Don’t wait, we probably won’t have enough warning - be prepared and you won’t have to panic.

Do you have a plan?  If you don’t, you need to write one and now is a great time.  I’ve often thought it over in my head, playing out several possible scenarios.  I’ve committed this week to writing these thoughts down and reviewing the plan with all involved parties - even the kids. 

I’m lucky because I have wonderful in-laws that care for my kids, either all day or after school.  Unfortunately their home is about 12 miles from my home and workplace.  So, considering that something BIG happens like a major earthquake, I’ve let my in-laws know to stay put and we’ll come to them.  What if there’s a major evacuation though?  I’ve selected two meet-up points one a few miles away and the other out of state.  I’ve also considered that staying put may be the safest alternative to evacuating.  I need to work out the communication details though.  It’s often said that text messaging should work even if cell service is out, but really I need to consider all possibilities ahead of time.  It may be that we cannot reach each other for a number of days and I want to be sure my family knows what to do.

Another problem that I face is the fact I live in a highly populated area with large mountain ranges bordering one side and the Pacific Ocean the other.  There are only so many choices.  If there’s a major earthquake here, freeways may be closed.  It’s always good to have two different routes, and even a third option mapped out ahead of time.  You can keep your written plan, along with detailed maps in a ziploc bag in the front pocket of your survival bags.  It’s good to review this plan twice a year to make sure your routes haven’t closed and that everyone knows what the plan is.

It would also be good while developing this plan to familiarize yourself with your children’s school’s policies.  Some schools go immediately into lock-down and your kids won’t be released, others will expect you to pick them up as soon as possible.  Check this out and if you don’t agree with their policy, plan how you may work around it.  Maybe if you sign a waiver they will agree to an open door policy - and there may be other options.

Keep in mind that if you’re prepared you can act quickly and be one of the first on the road out of danger.  Second guessing and waiting for instructions will ensure you’re in a very long line headed out of the danger area.  Keep your car gas tank full - this is something I constantly remind myself of - I don’t want to be stuck in a long line for gas when everyone else is getting on the road ahead of me.

Be prepared, develop a family plan this week and have some peace of mind that in an emergency you’ll know what to do and reach safety as soon as possible.

Stocking up extra food is probably the second most important thing you can do to protect your family.  Most pantries and fridges have only enough food in them for two - three days.  The Government has suggested we have about two weeks of easy to prepare food on hand at all times.  I know I’ve been guilty of waiting until there’s a heel of bread and 1/4 cup of milk in the carton before heading to the grocery.  I’m busy and even though I believe in being prepared, sometimes it’s hard to keep at it diligently.  Right now in my pantry I have a few bags of whole wheat pasta, some spaghetti, a little mac and cheese, some canned beans, two cans of corned beef to make hash and some canned tomatoes, green beans, peas and corn.  Not horrible, but almost.  I’ve let my stock dwindle a little because I’ve been busy.  Most or all of this will require heating and/or water to cook it.  Oh, I think I have a couple jars of peanut butter since I stock up on that when it’s on sale.  There are lots of items you can stock up on that will store for quite a while, and be used in rotation, which is important to keeping your stores fresh.  Here’s a short list:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Crackers
• Tuna
• Ravioli and canned pastas
• Soups and Stews
• Canned meats (vienna sausages, Spam)
• Canned vegetables
• Juice boxes
• Boxed soy or rice milk

You might be like me and prefer to buy fresh and frozen veggies and make your own soups.  This is great for everyday life and you should buy those things.  But, in an emergency the last thing you want to be worried about is what to feed your kids.  If you’re able to can your own produce, meats, sauces and soups, that’s wonderful.  But, I don’t have the time for that right now in my life.  I think if I do it it’ll be because I have to - don’t get me wrong, I know how to do it - and it’s a good idea to learn the basics of canning, but in a pinch there’s nothing wrong with eating canned green beans.  Find out what items your family doesn’t mind and buy more of those.  If you’re starving, you’ll eat anything, but it would be nice if you enjoyed it too!

I personally like to stock up on brands I’m familiar with and know the quality of.  This can easily be done with only $5 - $10 extra per week.  Every Monday I’ll post the items I’ll be stocking up that week and the approximate cost.  Follow along and in a few weeks you’ll be able to look through your cabinets and be satisfied that you’re almost ready for anything.

The best prevention for running out of clean, disinfected water is to have enough drinkable water on hand at all times.  This includes in your car, or in your work bag or backpack.  Even kids should carry an extra bottle of water in their school bags.  Emergencies have a way of surprising you - but you don’t want to worry about where your water is coming from.  I’m not much of a camper or hiker, but your family might enjoy the outdoors.  It’s always a good idea to take plenty of water with you, and avoid situations where you find yourself alone, without a clean water source.  The key is to be prepared.  A little thought ahead of time could mean life or death in the outdoors.  If you find yourself in a situation where you’re in a remote area, without fire-making tools to boil water, you might have to drink what’s available.  Always pick streams or rivers that are running freely.  Look for obvious signs of wildlife, as their droppings in the water can mean bad news for you.  Use caution and common sense.  If you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, you might want to carry purification tablets with you at all times.  There are several types available in carry with you packaging from most outdoor stores. 

Water is so important - you can’t live without it.  So, stock up at home.  Keep a few disinfecting options available just in case and don’t get caught in remote areas without taking plenty of bottled water and even purification filters or tablets.  Keep water in your car, and in your desk at work.  I always wonder how long the bottled water in the cooler would last in a real emergency at our building.  Probably not long.  I don’t want to be fighting 100 people on my floor for the last cup of water.  So, I stock up and hopefully won’t ever need it.

About two thirds of your body weight is composed of water, this water aids in circulation and other bodily functions like breathing.  If you are losing more water than you’re drinking, you get dehydrated.  As you dehydrate your blood becomes thicker and loses volume.  Your heart will have to work harder to circulate your blood, which will weaken your physical and mental abilities.  If you only stock up on one item, please make it water.  You can’t survive without it.

How long will your bottled water last?  Hopefully you’ll eventually have a few cases stored at home.  The average woman needs to consume 2.2 liters or almost 6.5 cups of water just to maintain optimal bodily functions.  It’s important to remember the following tips whenever you think you may experience a water shortage due to the electric grid being down, or contamination.

At first warning, fill all available containers in your house with cold water.  Think about the obvious holders - the bathtub, sinks, buckets and or plastic bins that you might have around.  At this point don’t worry about disinfecting them, this is an emergency and you’ll need to disinfect the water that you’ll use for drinking.  Don’t bother collecting warm or hot water as this comes from your hot water tank, and can be stored there directly for later use.  Don’t forget all the ice cubes in your freezer - they can be melted for use as drinking water, which is a good reason to keep your trays full.  Generally, unless otherwise notified by officials or during a flood situation, water that comes from your tap in the US is drinkable.

During an emergency or survival situation, any water that hasn’t been bottled especially for human consumption will need to be disinfected.  The EPA provides specific information on their web site, but I’ve condensed it here for you.  These methods are for filtered and settled water.  Use an old t-shirt, or other cloth to filter the water first and then let it stand until any sediment sinks to the bottom.  Pour off only the clear water on top.

Boiling - this is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill microorganisms such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium.  If not neutralized, Giardia may cause diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps.  Cryptosporidium may cause diarrhea, nausea and/or stomach cramps and is highly resistant to disinfection.  Boil filtered and settled water vigorously for 1 minute (at high-altitude, boil for 3 min).  To improve the taste following boiling, you can pour it back and forth from one container to another to aerate and then let it stand for a few hours. 

What if your gas and electric are off, or if you’re lost in the outdoors, how can you disinfect your water then?  It’s suggested that well water is a preferred choice, but that might not be available.  The next choice would be a river or lake, or other smaller source of natural water.  Remember to stay away from sources that look polluted or stagnant.  Flowing water is usually a better quality.  If boiling isn’t possible, chemical disinfection of filtered settled water will keep you hydrated and is better than no treatment at all.

Chemical Treatment- Chlorine and iodiine are the two chemicals most commonly used to treat water.  Neither treatment will be highly effective against the two microorganisms mentioned above - but some disinfection is better than none.  Only use household chlorine bleach, do not use non-chlorine bleach, or bleach labeled for colors only.  Most household chlorine bleach will be 5.25% available chlorine.  Follow the directions on the label for disinfecting water.  If you can’t find those instructions, the general rule of thumb is 2 drops per quart, or 8 drops per gallon (8 drops is approx 1/8 teaspoon).  If you don’t know what strength bleach you have, use 10 drops per gallon.  You’ll need to double the amount of chlorine bleach if the water is cloudy or murky or extremely cold.  Mix thoroughly and let it stand covered if you can for about 30 minutes.  The water should have a slight chlorine odor, but if it doesn’t repeat the dosage again and let stand 15 more minutes.  If the chlorine smell is too strong, let it stand exposed to the air for a few hours and/or pour it from one clean container to another several times.

Common household iodine found in your medicine chest may be used to disinfect water.  Add five drops of 2% tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of clear water.  Cloudy water will need 10 drops.  Let the mixture stand for at least 30 minutes.

What if you don’t have any of these methods available?  That’s coming tomorrow…….

This is the question a lot of people have.  It’s so overwhelming to think of all the planning you could do.  Today is the first part of our series, The Basics.  If you want a simple list of what you need to stock up on, here it is:

• Water - Start with buying a few extra cases of bottle water.  We’ll talk about filters, etc. later.
• Food - Buy two of your favorite foods that will store for a long time, peanut butter, canned ravioli, etc.  Remember any special needs, like baby formula will store for almost a year.  You don’t want to be stuck with the electric off and no food for the kids.
• Light Sources- The options are endless.  Flashlights, LED’s, lanterns and candles.
• Batteries - You can’t use flashlights without batteries, so stock up when you can.
• Personal Items - When you shop for toilet paper, buy two.  Do the same for any other personal items you’ll need. 
• First Aid- Keep your medicine cabinet fully stocked.  Different sized bandaids, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment and any medications your family uses.  Don’t forget kids as adult medications are unsuitable for them.

This is the short list.  If you have any or all of the above in some quantity, you’re doing well.  Some people need more detailed lists, those are coming.  I’ll also talk about how you can stock up on $10 or $20 per week.  Remember, buy as you can, the most important thing you can stock up on now is water.