Practical Considerations It is always wise to be prepared. In recent years the world has undergone several severe earth situations. Tsunamis, earthquakes, drought, floods, fire have challenged our earth and its people. Using your intuitive methods of making decisions, check to see which of these items are of importance for you. A. Health 1. How is my Physical Condition?
a. Do I need to consult a health specialist about my general health?
b. How is my weight?
c. Do I need to improve my exercise regimen and muscular fitness?
d. Do I need to eat more healthful food?
B. Keep Calm Am I able to able to be calm in an emergency? One method is to allow ourselves to panic for a set period of time, say 10 minutes, and then collect, go within, and be open to all possibilities?
C. Make A Plan Should I discuss emergency preparedness with my family and friends and determine
1. Where we would meet if separated?
2. How we would contact each other?
a. Should I prepare and distribute copies of up-to-date phone numbers and cell phone numbers of family and friends close by and those out of area?
3. Should I determine which person(s) to contact first in an emergency?
D. Water 1. Short term: Should I store 3 gallons per person per day and for how many days? (Experts recommend 3 days.)
a. What kind of containers should I use? (Experts recommend stainless steel because plastic ones can leach chemicals.)
b. How often should I refresh stored water? (Experts recommend monthly.)
c. In an emergency, water may be obtained from a hot water heater.
2. Long term: Which other close water sources: rainwater, streams, ponds, springs, wells are OK, or are additional steps necessary? Such as those listed next for purifying water.
3. Note that you can purify water by (and check which to prepare for)
a. Boiling
b. Using Clorox. (Add 12 drops per gallon and let stand 30-45 minutes)
c. Using water purification tablets.
d. Using water filters.
E. Food 1. Short term Do I have a three-day supply of non-perishable food for two meals a day for each family member?
a. Remember to consider sources such as freeze-dried, canned foods, and Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).
b. Do I have a good balance of foods? Such as:
1. Protein - tuna, canned chicken, dried soups, beef/chicken bouillon, and jerky.
2. Vegetables canned, dried
3. Fruits canned, dried, juices
4. Carbohydrates rice, quinoa, corn meal, etc. stored in airtight containers?
c. Have I stored the food in a good area? (Experts recommend a cool area free of moisture, pests, and sunlight.)
d. Should I get emergency food which comes in a large plastic container with several hundred servings? (One source is Costco.)
2. Long term Should I prepare to find or grow food, such as
a. Fish hooks and lines, traps
b. Seeds for vegetable garden
c. A source for obtaining live chickens for meat and eggs?
F. Shelter 1. If I had to live outside, could I create a shelter from the elements?
2. Do I have an RV or tents readily available?
G. Energy Should I have any of the following available? 1. Generator with extra gas, propane
2. Solar systems
3. Firewood
H. Should I have clothing for hot and cold weather, such as 1. Outer protection for rain, snow, cold raincoat, down jacket, or umbrella.
2. At least three changes of comfortable clothing pants, shirts,
3. Shoes and boots for walking on rough terrain?
I. Protection 1. If there is a shortage of food or water, there may be people who would do anything to get them. Should I be prepared for this possibility and if so, how?
2. Do I have a good relationship with our nearest neighbors so that we might assist each other in times of need?
3. Should I have pepper spray, develop martial arts, or other defense mechanisms?
J. Communication 1. Do I have battery-operated radio & TV with extra batteries
2. Do I have cell phone with extra batteries? (Or a charger for using a vehicle batter?)
K. First Aid Kit and do I need to add the following? 1. Extra prescription medicine
2. Extra eyeglasses
3. Vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural preparations
L. Documents Do I need to have two copies of all the documents in a safe deposit box stored separately in water-proof containers? If so, which of the following:
1. Will
2. Living will
3. Mortgage
4. Car ownership papers
5. Passport
6. Birth certificates
7. Marriage license
8. Social security documents
9. Loan agreements
10. Retirement information
11. Bank accounts
12. Credit cards
13. Emergency phone numbers of family and friends
14. Photographs on CD
15. Educational degrees
16. Copies of theses, and dissertations
M. Heat and light Do I need to have the following? 1. Flashlights and batteries stored separately
2. Coleman lamp and propane
3. Camp stove
4. Matches stored in water-proof containers
5. Solar stove
6. Barbecue & briquettes
N. Money Do I need to have 1. Cash, gold and silver coins
2. Money orders, travelers’ checks?
O. Miscellaneous Books on preparedness
1. Preparedness Now! An Emergency Survival Guide for Civilians and Their Families, 2006 by Aton Edwards, Process Media, PO Box 39910, Los Angeles, CA 90039 www.processmediainc.com (This book contains practical information for any kind of emergency.)
2. Tom Brown’s Field Guide, Wilderness Survival by Tom Brown, Jr., with Brandt Morgan, 1983Berkley Publishing Group, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014
“It is truly said that the most important survival tool is the mind. But to keep the mind functioning smoothly, you must establish and maintain a positive attitude. Within hours or even minutes after the onset of survival stress, the attitude you take and the decisions that result from it may mean the difference between life and death.” P. 13
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