Posted on 09/06/2005 12:41:51 PM PDT by troop_defender
Survival starts at the household level
This mentality of expecting a hand out of food, water & shelter within 48 hours of a disaster needs to end. We live in perilous times and natural disasters, along with man made disasters are certain to strike over the next several years.
Survival starts at the household level, then local, then state, then federal, and finally from our friends from abroad.
Every household needs to develop a plan to sustain itself for at least one week without food, water or shelter.
Member Back Packs Each household member should be able to sustain themselves in the event they get separated from the group. Individual packs should be equipped with sturdy shoes, change of clothes, one quart of water, two days food supply, sleeping bag, medicine, first aid, flash light, water proof matches, radio, toiletries, ID, credit card, and cash.
Water ration ½ gallon per person per day. Carry at least a two day supply of water with you at all times. Place one bottle of water in each back pack. Any un-bottled water should be boiled for 3 minutes. Include pot for open flame use.
Food Place all items from refrigerator & freezer into chest cooler. All canned and dry goods distribute between back packs, place all additional food and camping cookware in another pack. Leave your cupboards and refrigerator bare. Cook all perishables as soon as possible return to ice chest. Eat perishables first.
Shelter Tent, ax, propane bottles, lanterns, camp stove, knives, and propane tent heater. In cold weather be certain to manage propane supply.
In the event it appears that your displacement might be months or years you may want to add hunting and fishing gear to your survival package.
Every household should have a plan to bug out in less then five minutes and the ability to sustain itself for at least one week without assistance. And the sooner you evacuate when the order goes out the less likely you will find yourself in traffic unable to get out of harms way. If you find yourself with less then a ¼ tank of gas without the ability to buy more stop & make camp until fuel supplies become available.
The money you save by camping for one week rather then staying at a Hotel will more then pay for your survival gear.
Make your next vacation a camping vacation the skills and preparedness you acquire could be the difference of you and your family being counted amongst the living rather then the dead.
The Katrina casualties would be very low if evacuation orders were followed. Evacuation orders went out and then ignored by those who then found themselves in Katrina’s deadly path. So as the blame game is played is anyone going to hold the victims themselves accountable for not following orders?
not since the election of X.42
recently went into a sporting good store to buy my son some hiking shoes. Amazed at how compact some of the camping gear is that can be used for survival kits. We have EQ kits in two different areas at home and in car. Of course you have to find a place that you can access the stuff in case of emergency. People really don't stop long enough to take care of/ think of emergency situations.
This is a great reminder to all of us, especially those who live in hurricane prone areas!
Here is one Survivalist site which I've found fascinatingly useful...
Even if one doesn't live in an area prone to disaster, knowing what you have and what to do with it will leave you with peace of mind and confidence should the unlikely event occur.
"Water ration ½ gallon per person per day. Carry at least a two day supply of water with you at all times. Place one bottle of water in each back pack."
so he wants you to carry a gallon of water with you, at all times, but above he says carry a quart of water in the pack. So I'm confued. A gallon is 4 quarts, so that's a big difference.
OK, now that makes sense.
This is actually a good idea, I should probably fix up some bags like these. My main concern with stuff like this is that you need to actually rotate the stock, or stuff will get stale sitting around unused. Hopefully sitting around unused anyway.
Yes, so why not go camping once in a while use up the stuff up and then replenish your bags. by doing this you will discover things you may want to add. Like insect repellent, toilet paper and so on.
People from California always have a bug out bag ready. Plenty of water and food on hand, plus flashlights etc. Another bag always in the car with many of the things you mentioned.
This is a good list for anyone that has not planned for an emergency.
[of course there are some in California that always expect to be given everything and they are not prepared and will be the first in line whining that they were not given help by the government]
"Yes, so why not go camping once in a while ..."
That's exactly what I told hubby tonight!
LOL, I'm such a city girl, I'd probably do better living in the subway tunnels than trying to survive in the great outdoors. But I can almost guarantee I will not forget the insect repellent, nor the toilet paper.
Bumlp
I have often thought of preparing a knapsack with emergency items like money, clothing, toiletries, extra cell phone, etc. and keeping it right by the door in case of fire.
...knapsake with emergency items...commonly referred to as B.O.B. (bug out bag). Google the term and you'll locate much useful information.
ping
“Every household needs to develop a plan to sustain itself for at least one week without food, water or shelter. “
A week without food or water. Sure.
A week hiking the Appalachian Trail will do it. You don’t even need a tent although I would suggest it.
My neighborhood borders the National Forest. There are plenty of places to camp there so we use it for Boy Scouts. All you need is a used backpack and tent (Craigslist), cheap sleeping bag, a pot and a bunch of noodles.
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