Why should you prepare for the worst!

I was having a talk with some other guys, some of them were saying that they didn't feel the need to prepare because they trusted the government to take care of them in case of an emergency.

This might be the case but not all government agencies are the same or act the same, Katrina came up and how FEMA failed in all aspects, plenty of cities were giving up staff, ie. firefighters, cops, paramedics, handymen, cleaning crews etc, cities were loaning equipment ie. dump trucks, boats ambulances, fire trucks, etc.

Here's a list of what Chicago alone was loaning out.


100 Chicago police officers, 36 Fire Department personnel, eight emergency medical experts, more than 130 staff from Chicago's Department of Public Health, 140 staff from the Department of Streets & Sanitation, dozens of trucks and two boats. These teams, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley told federal officials, could work in affected areas independently, bringing their own food, water and other supplies with them.


FEMA requested only one thing from Chicago -- a single tanker truck.


It took FEMA about 5 days to send water to 20000 people taking shelter in the super dome.


That's why you need to prepare, your survival depends on YOU, trust your government but also have a BOB from which you can at least survive 3 days from it.


I haven't had time to go through a basic BOB, but there's plenty of places that sells premade kits.


This is the list of  a BOB kit from the Red Cross, price is around 70.00 bucks

Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit (Adult, 3-Day)

Part #321322

UOM: EA

Whether you are at work or home, be prepared when an emergency strikes with the Deluxe Emergency Preparedness kit designed to include the following items: Backpack Battery Powered Flashlight (batteries included) Battery Powered Radio (batteries included) Emergency Blanket Food Bars ((4,800 calories total; ingredients include Wheat Flour, Vegetable Shortening, Granulated Sugar, Salt, Water, Coconut Flavoring) Work Gloves (one pair) Light Sticks (3 each; one lasts 12 hours) Moist Towelettes (6) Breathing Mask (NIOSH-N95) Plastic Sheeting (10'x10') Rain Poncho Personal First Aid Kit Roll of Duct Tape Water (2 quarts) Water Container (2.5 gallon) Whistle Personal Hygiene Comfort Kit (includes shampoo/body wash, wash cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, and deodorant) First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Guide Product Features Backpack: Constructed with 600 D. high-resolution durable polyester and self-repairable zippers. It has "S" type shoulder straps and a padded back for added comfort. The back has additional pouches to hold a water bottle, cell phone, and pens or pencils. Radio: The radio is water resistant for added security that it will work in wet conditions. It takes three AA-cell batteries (included) allowing for more power and better reception. Whistle: The whistle is RINA approved. RINA is the holding society of the RINA Group, and provides assessment, inspection, certification and research activities in accordance with national, EU and international laws relevant to materials, projects, technologies, products and installations, including the performance of work commissioned by Public Administrations and other Authorities. Plastic Sheeting: Home Guard Barrier Sheeting which was tested in accordance with United States Mil Std 282 (Titled: Filter Units, Protective Clothing, Gas Mask Components and Related Products: Performance Test Methods). The testing protocol tests the permeability of the deadly agents through the plastic sheeting. When using the plastic sheeting as a barrier between the individual and the deadly agents the results of these tests demonstrate how well the product performs.

There is a lot of people that over packed, remember this is a BAIL OUT BAG, that means you need to be able to grab it in an emergency and maybe carry it for long periods of time.

Basics

This is something that at least any person should carry, a small light and a small knife can make your life simpler in your everyday, they even can save your life.

I read a while back a post on Facebook that they got a flat tire on the freeway at night, nobody had a flashlight and it took them about an hour to change the tire. This got me thinking of how many people are unprepared for every day chores.

Most people on a cloudy day carries an umbrella, there's a chance you won't need it. You know everyday is gonna get dark so why not carry a small light, it just makes sense.

A small pocket knife can make wonders around your day, from opening your mail, cutting an apple for your lunch to saving your life.

People need to get prepared for their day, We rely sometimes in technology and forget about the basics. Here's an example of what can happen Example.

Next post I'll try to cover the Bail Out Bag.

Personal Safety

From some time now San Jose has seen some increase on crimes, violent crimes, not too along a clerk at Chek n Go was shot in the head when the place was being robbed around 1 pm, this happen two blocks from my house later the same week the neighborhood across mine was evacuated because someone had bomb making material, last week a woman was groped and almost sexually attacked in a hiking trail two miles away from my house, yesterday a woman was sexually attacked at San Jose State University, this got me worried since my wife attends some classes at night.

My neighborhood used to be real quiet in the past, but with the economy the way it is has allowed a lot of people that didn't have the means to move in, I don't like to be prejudicial but sometime you can tell by the way people carry themselves that they are up to no good.

This got me thinking on what We can do to protect ourselves when We are out there, since California sucks and We can not carry firearms to protect ourselves what other means are there for the law abiding citizen.

Pepper Spray.
http://www.safetygirl.com/pepper-spray-keychain-mace.html
This is something that at least every woman should own, my wife carries something similar but hers has a blue dye that it takes weeks to wash off, in case of the attacker getting away He can be identify later.

Knives.
Although I disapprove the use of any knife as a defensive weapon sometimes just brandishing one can make an attacker think twice about engaging you.
One of my favorite knives is the Kershaw Cyclone, it has assisted opening, a 3.75 inch blade, when you deploy the blade it makes a very intimidating noise when it locks up.

Also I carry a Ka-Bar TDI LDK knife attached to my boot laces, this is a last resort knife, the only function is to defend yourself.

This is pretty much all the legal options you have to defend yourself in California, the best self defense is try to avoid the confrontation and call the police.

As it goes trust your instincts, if you feel awkward or you feel uneasy the best thing is to listen to yourself and keep safe.

How to survive the cold.

With the winter approaching it is always good to remember these following tips on how to survive the cold in case of being caught outside.

How to Survive the Cold

First, let's just talk about the cold itself. You see, there are several scenarios present. For example, if the problem was due to a volcanic eruption or perhaps a nuclear bomb being set off at a distance (causing particles to be released into the stratosphere) then you may still have your house and heat. If you do, then that's the place to stay as often as you can.

Simple common sense.

However, a longstanding winter would impact the global and national economy in a very negative way. Thus, it wouldn't be a bad idea- as a precaution- to have two heat sources. For example, if you only have oil heat and issues cause oil to skyrocket in price, it could be an issue for you. It is in these cases that you might wish that you had that wood stove.

Which brings us to the next point. Coal and wood stoves sometimes offer nice alternatives. Especially a wood stove, because if things really break down then you can find and chop your own in many locations.

Regardless, try to have reserves on hand. It's a smart preventative measure.

But, let's face it; turning on the heat is not what this article is about. 


How to Deal with the Cold

A nuclear bomb or asteroid touching down very close to your area could, in essence, knock out your heat source. In reality, it could knock down your house as well. Further, if you're stuck out in the wilderness, a thermostat simply isn't available.

Under such circumstances, you should know the facts. Humans are not made to deal with frigid conditions. We're basically tropical animals. That said, it takes adaptations on our part to survive. These adaptations must serve to foster two things.

First, we must stay warm by consuming appropriate food, which the body 'burns' for heat.

Second, we must prevent the loss of the heat gained by our burning of appropriate food via shelter and clothing. We all know we need food. However, this article is about the basics of dealing with the cold only. 


Clothing in Frigid Conditions - Some Basic Principles

Remember that clothing in frigid conditions should serve to accomplish the following:

1. Keep the body warm. This is especially true for the outer extremities like fingers and toes.

2. Allow perspiration to disperse.

3. Allow free movement.

4. Be comfortable.

Thus, here are some guidelines that can help to accomplish this.

Guideline #1 - Generally it is better to have several layers of lightweight clothes than one or two larger layers. One reason for this is because several layers allow for good ventilation. Thus, the area between layers can serve to trap air which acts as good insulation.

Further, this may serve to foster free movement and comfort more easily than huge and puffy clothes. And one section of clothing may serve to shield the rest from unwanted moisture more easily.

Guideline #2 - Have boots. This one would seem obvious. However, the type of boot should fit your environment. For example, if you're a Floridian surrounded by swamps that are suddenly very cold and slushy, you might want to have some type of high waders in case you have to travel in such areas. Just remember that your feet and toes are at extreme points on your body. Thus, cold that halts blood flow will attack these areas first.

Guideline #3 - Have gloves. Remember, it is important to protect your furthermost extremities; in this case, your fingers.

Guideline #4 - Protect your face. Having goggles can shield your eyes from the wind and possible UV rays depending on your situation. If somehow you're caught in an area that is cold in summer, sun screen may also be prudent.

Guideline #5 - Find a shelter. This is probably the most important piece to the puzzle. People in frigid climates often survive by sheltering themselves during the worst times (nighttime, for example). If you can find your way to a cave, do so. If a safe shelter- even a broken down one- is available, then go for it. Same if you have an insulated tent. If you really want to plan for something like this- for example, perhaps you're going out into the wilderness- then get your hands on the following to shield you from the elements where you lie: a butyl ground sheet, inflatable mattress and sheepskin. Further, a double insulated sleeping bag is recommended.

Remember, in the end, something is better than nothing. 


A Final Point: Watch One Another

Hopefully, if you're forced to survive the elements you have a partner. If you do, both should observe one another closely. Remember that the extremities (fingers, toes) are places to keep an eye on for frost nip ( usually areas of the body with frost nip will turn a pasty white ) and especially frostbite ( when rewarmed, frostbitten areas will turn blue or purple ). If you note frost nip, provide more insulation to that area, if possible.

Frostbite, of course, is worse. This means that ice crystals have formed in the living cells of the skin, killing them. Sometimes, when the dead layers are taken off, new skin is revealed ( this is called superficial frostbite and is less of a problem ). However, at other times, this isn't the case.

Which may lead to amputation.

Please note that it may be best to seek medical attention before trying to rewarm badly frostbitten parts of the body. Further, when available seeking medical attention is obviously always recommended.

Of course, usually when someone encounters frostbite, medical attention isn't available. 


Final Things to Note When Dealing with the Cold

Just some interesting notes.

The elderly tend to have the most difficulty with frigid conditions. Further, women tend to be able to handle it better than their male counterparts. Even race can have a say, as non-white elderly men tend to have more issues with the cold than anyone else.

Of course, infants and small children will also be susceptible.

Keep in mind that these are just tendencies; that's why you have to watch. Further, anytime medical opinions are available when it comes to exposure, first consult them.

In sum, there are many situations that could eventually cause us to have to live in frigid conditions for an extended period. If we have our houses and heat sources, great! If not, then knowing a little something in advance couldn't hurt.

So should you have appropriate supplies of clothing, materials, and non- perishable ( dry food ) available in case such an event occurs? Should you go as far as to have these supplies kept at work and at home?

Guess the answer to that depends on how viable you believe such a threat is. But one thing is for sure. If you're about to go out into the wilderness on your own at a time when frigid temperatures are present, you'd be smart to read this article, check out the references noted below, consult with medical professionals, and know your environment before deciding to pack.

It could be the difference between surviving and not.