Thread: BASIC LIST / SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR LONG TERM SURVIVAL

Survival Situations: Power Outage

By Angela, on February 11th, 2011

Here’s another survival situation that hits close to home: Power Outages. Unless you’ve been able to get your home completely off grid, you’re pretty dependent on power from the local power company to keep your place running. Usually a power outage hits without much warning (except you know it’s snowing or windy or whatever might cause an outage), but sometimes we get warning like with the rolling blackouts recently enacted to conserve power during the severe winter storms.

So here’s the situation with some variations you can apply to your own circumstances: You’re home watching MASH reruns again when the power cuts out. It is winter (or summer for y’all in the hot south) when you most need power to heat (or cool) your home. You now have no power to keep your appliances (freezer, refrigerator, heater, etc.) running.

What if this lasts 8 hours? What about 2 days? What about a week? Are you in trouble yet?


We had a power outage due to some crazy wind storm last Saturday and it was 6+ hours during the day. It’s much nicer to sleep through a power outage! We didn’t want to go out as it was almost dangerous with all the wind (it knocked our swingset over then later flipped it again–not a good day for playing outside). Luckily the power came back on in the evening so we didn’t have to break out the kerosene heater and try to figure out how it works! The kids did pretty well at entertaining themselves building blanket forts in the living room, but I know of at least one friend who fired up her generator and hooked it to the TV so her kids would quit fighting!

So your main issues are heat/cooling, light, cooking food, keeping fridge/freezer food cold, entertainment, and what else?

As a side note, I have since resolved to do a bit better at keeping up with laundry as part of my preparedness efforts–I’d hate to have to start a week of no power with no clean clothes!

So what do you do? What preparations have you made or could you make for a power outage that lasts a day? A week? Longer?

http://foodstorageandsurvival.com/su...-power-outage/

How Micro Livestock Can Be Used For Suburban and Rural Sustainability

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
April 2011



The “back to the land” movement that is sweeping this nation has micro farms popping up on the grid left and right. These micro farmers are trying to get back to the basics and their goal is to live a more simplified lifestyle. They live primarily in a self sufficient manner by growing their own food, caring for smaller plots of land, and raising livestock.

The breeds that are typically chosen for homesteads and micro farms are the “heritage” breeds because they have a better survival rate. However, those homesteaders that live on smaller acreage or in urban settings who cannot provide the larger areas for animals to graze have chosen micro versions of these domesticated animals. These micro breeds are bred to not only produce a good supply of meat, but are also raised based upon their temperament, cost of raising the animal vs. it’s price in meat, and how much land the animal will need to graze.

Advantages of raising micro livestock

• For those of us who are unable to keep up with constant price increases at the grocery store, raising livestock that can provide you with meat, milk, cheese and eggs will help you cut your grocery budget down significantly.
• Raising micro livestock teaches us to be more self reliant.
• Is a good bartering product.
• Smaller species tend to use less of the resources from the land.
• Micro livestock grow faster and reach sexual maturity faster than regular sized livestock.
• Their greatest advantage is their compact size which is a result of living in harsh environments where they had to adapt. Therefore, they are highly adaptive to unconventional environments.
• Some breeds of micro cattle have unusually high tolerances to disease, internal and external parasites.
• Goats need less attention compared to other livestock breeds.
• Breeds such as goats, chickens and ducks startle easily and can alert you to dangers in the area.
• Micro livestock can help do work on the micro farm. They are good foragers, and can clear parts of land that are riddled with roots and weeds, and naturally fertilize the land.

Disadvantages of raising micro livestock

• Depending on the animal, space could be an issue.
• The smaller the animal, the easier the prey.
• Typically, microlivestock have a higher energy level, and may require more food.
• Smaller breeds may not match the overall productivity of the larger breeds.
• Like all livestock, animals can succumb to diseases if proper conditions are not met.
• Some animals do not thrive well in hot conditions so other living areas need to be built.

List of Micro livestock Breeds

• Cattle – Zebu Cattle, Miniature Herefords, Mini Holstein, Red Panda Cow, White Dexter, Lowline, Miniature Longhorns, Miniature Galloways, Jerseys, Ayrshires
• Birds -turkeys, chickens, ducks, pigeons, quail and guinea fowl.
• Goats – Terai, Nigerian dwarf, West African dwarf, Pygmy, Nubian
• Pigs - American Guinea hog, West African dwarf, Chinese dwarf, Criollo
• Rabbits – Cinnamons, Californias, American Chincilla, Creme D’Argents, Blanc D’Hotot, New Zealand, Palomino, Rex, Sables, Satins, Silver fox (Source)
• Guinea Pigs – Long haired, Short hairs, all different color variations
• Miniature Deer – mouse deer, musk deer, blue duiker antelope

What kind of micro livestock do you have on your micro farm?

For more information on starting a homestead with animals, self sustaining micro farms, and micro livestock.

http://foodstorageandsurvival.com/su...-power-outage/

Meet Your Emergency Foods Worst Enemies

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
April 2011



If you plan on packaging your own food for the long term using any of the 11 food items that can last a lifetime, or other dry goods, knowing how to properly store these items will ensure their freshness and extend their lifespan. If improperly stored, spoilage can occur at exactly the moment when you need your larder the most.

There is nothing more disappointing than seeing your food investment ruined by natural elements or bugs. Knowing what your food’s worst enemies are, understanding how they can ruin your food, and how to prevent their havoc will help you preserve your food investment for the long term.

Who Are The Enemies and What Do They Do?

The best course of action to preserve your food storage is using a a multi-barrier system. Using this method protects your food investment by reducing oxidation of foods, bug infestations, and exposure to increase temperature and moisture levels. Protecting your future food supply can be achieved by simply investing in a few extra preventative tools such as Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and food grade containers.

Moisture

Foods can become contaminated by moisture through humidity, rain, and standing water. As a result, molds, mildew and microbial infestation can form and rot stored food, thus making it inedible. Since some foods draw in moisture, such as wheat, rice and grains, the best way to avoid moisture from coming in contact with stored food, is to store it properly.

Solution: Those that store food for long term, try to remedy this by using a multi-barrier approach and making sure the the food items are are away from any possible areas that can flood (laundry rooms, bathrooms, near water pipes, etc), and have been properly sealed to avoid moisture. Additionally, storing your food grade buckets or round cans on shelves or stacked on wooden platforms 6 inches off the floor is another method of preventing decontamination of food. Providing ventilation between the stored containers can also assist in preventing increased moisture levels.

Those that live in areas that are prone to high humidity may want to consider adding desiccant packets to their food storage. Desiccant packets only moderate the moisture levels, they do not completely absorb moisture. Being that desiccant is not edible, if the packet somehow breaks open and spills onto the stored food, the entire contents of the container must be thrown away. Desiccant manufactures recommend adding two 1 ounce packets per 5 or 6 gallon pail, or two per large barrier bag. There are certain food items that desiccant should not be added to - specifically: flour, sugar and salt. These items need a certain amount of moisture to stay activated, and if desiccant is added to it, they will turn into a hard brick. Note: make sure the desiccant packet is not touching the oxygen absorber.

Sunlight

When sunlight shines directly onto your food pantry or food storage area, photo-degradation (spoilage) occurs and results in losses of pigments, fats, proteins, and vitamins, as well as surface discoloration.

Solution: Storing food in Mylar bags is an easy solution to remedy this concern. Mylar bags are metallized foil liners that prevent sunlight, moisture and bugs from ruining food. Investing in the thickest grade of Mylar would be a good investment for your food storage endeavors. The thicker Mylar bags are more durable, and can be reused for future uses. Mylar bags come in different sizes and can easily be rotated into your food pantry. For those who are investing in a shorter term food supply, many simply pour the food contents into Mylar bags, add an oxygen absorber and properly seal the bag closed. This will keep a short term food supply fresh over a given period of time.
Other solutions include storing your food items in a dark area not prone to sunlight or temperature fluctuations is the best course of action. If you have to store your food supply in a room with a window, put up curtains or black out material over the window. This is also a good security measure so that others do not see your stored food.

Oxygen

Oxygen is another force to reckon with when food storage is concerned. Overtime, oxygen will break down food, cause discoloration, and create staleness in foods.

Solution: Using oxygen absorbers greatly prolongs the shelf life of stored food. Because it absorbs the oxygen from the container, it inhibits the growth of aerobic pathogens and molds.

Oxygen absorbers come in vacuum sealed packs. They begin working the moment they are exposed to oxygen. Therefore, it is best to work as efficiently as possible. Oxygen absorbers come in different sizes, so pay attention to the size needed for the container. Manufacturers of this product suggest that, 2,000-4,000 cc’s of oxygen absorbers should be added in one #10 can, and roughly 15,000 – 20,000 cc’s for 5 gallon pails. If working with smaller containers such as Bell jars, 50 cc’s of oxygen absorbers should be used. When in doubt on how much oxygen absorbers to use, check with oxygen absorber manufactures. However, it is best to add extra oxygen absorbers rather than not enough. Oxygen absorbers are not edible, not toxic and do not effect the smell and taste of the product.

Temperature Fluctuations

Fluctuations in temperature create an imbalance in the environment that the food is stored in. Ideal temperatures for stored food should be between 65-80 degrees F.

Solution: Typically, people store their food storage in unused closets or areas in the home that do not have large exposure to sunlight. Ideally, the area where the food is stored should have access to air conditioning. Those that do not have extra space in their homes have used their basements, root cellars and have even used temperature controlled storage warehouses. To ensure the area where the food is stored is at adequate temperatures and moisture levels, install an indoor thermometer and humidity gauge.

Bugs

Bug infestations can also occur from improper storage methods. Nearly all foods are susceptible to these pests. Typically the stored food product becomes infested at the warehouse it was processed at. Nearly all dried food products are susceptible to insect infestation, including cereal products (flour, cake mix, cornmeal, rice, spaghetti, crackers, and cookies); seeds such as dried beans and popcorn; nuts; chocolate; raisins and other dried fruits; spices; powdered milk; and cured meats. Insects will chew their way through cardboard, plastic or foil liners, or folds in the packaging system. This is why a multi-barrier approach to food storage is suggested.

Solutions: There are few different ways to prevent bug infestations. Learning the different methods can help you choose which is right for you.

Freezing Method – freeze food that will be stored for 72 hours. Freezing will kill any bug eggs.
Heating Method – Heating the food supplies is another option. Heating the food to be stored at 150 degrees F for 15-20 minutes will kill any bugs or eggs as well.

Organic Option – Diatomaceous earth are the fossilized remains of diatoms. They are organic and are safe to use on food. Use 1 cup to each 25 pounds of food.

Dry Ice Method – This method can be done two different ways. According to the Family Preparedness Handbook by James Talmage Stevens, the proper method for this techniques is:
Basic on-top method:

• On top of almost-full 5 gallon container, place 1/4 lb. dry ice on non-conductive (insulating) material such as Kraft paper
• Press lid down gently so some air can escape
• After 20-30 minutes, check to see if dry ice has completely evaporated.
• If not, wait another 5 minutes, then check again.
• When dry ice has completely evaporated, remove material and seal container.

Basic on-bottom method:

• on bottom of 5-gallon storage container, place 1/4 lb. of dry ice under non-conductive (insulating) material, such as Kraft paper.
• Press lid down gently so some air can escape
• After 20-30 minutes, check to see if dry ice has completely evaporated.
• If not, wait another 5 minutes, then check again.
• When dry ice has completely evaporated, remove material and seal container.

In Conclusion

A little preventative maintenance can go along way in terms of food storage. Understanding the different methods for storing your food supply for short or long term storage will help you get the most out of your food investment.



http://readynutrition.com/resources/...mies_06042011/

Water Testing Kit, WaterSafe

8 Different Water Tests in One Complete, Easy to Use Kit.

Fast, near instant results!

Do you really know what is in your water?

The truth is, most of don't. Now you do your own WATER TESTING right at home simply and easily and GET ON-THE SPOT RESULTS! Despite modern water treatment facilities, water remains an all too common source of illnesses. Maybe your city just had its water tested and it passed. But what if the problem is in the pipes in your home. It wouldn't matter what quality your city water is if your pipes are bad.

Now you can find out for yourself in your own home or apartment.

Now you can test your own water at home quickly and easily. In about 10 minutes, you'll know on-the-spot about the quality of your drinking water.

Watersafe® testing kit IDENTIFIES harmful levels of 8 different common contaminants in water:

Bacteria
Lead
Pesticides
Nitrates
Nitrites
Chlorine
pH level
Water Hardness

Recommended by Health Magazine, Watersafe test kits are accurate, easy-to-use and produce results on the spot. The WaterSafe "one-step test kit" can detect dissolved lead at levels below the EPA Action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).

Play it safe, don't leave your family's good health to chance--Test it! Also excellent for traveling (several kits can easily be combined to about the size of a mans wallet) or for pre-season testing of your favorite water filter. Made in the USA.

You cannot see, smell, or taste most contaminants, but if they are in your water, the potential danger to your health is staggering. Learn more about Bacteria, Lead, Pesticides, Nitrates and Nitrites, Chlorine, Hardness, and pH level below.

Bacteria
THE MOST LIKELY SOURCE OF ACUTE WATER-BORNE DISEASE - E. coli Bacteria and other potentially dangerous microbes are commonly found in our environment, but they should not be present in our drinking water. Thousands of cases of bacterial illness occur every year, many of them fatal. Many strains of bacteria are not toxic, but some can cause very serious illness. Even mild cases can result in diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Young children and those with weaker immunity are more likely to be affected. Since contaminated water may not taste or smell "bad", most cases of water-borne disease are not likely to be identified as such. The presence of bacteria in drinking water indicates that treatment methods are not working properly and are not adequate to remove all viable microbes. When treatment fails, drinking water may become potentially toxic. Community water systems take steps to disinfect drinking water, but they may not become aware of problems until it's too late. This bacteria was first recognized as a cause of illness in 1982.

Lead
LEAD FROM PIPES CAN LEACH INTO HOUSEHOLD WATER USED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, AND WASHING - Many homes and buildings have pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. Lead can leach from pipes into household water, making this plumbing a major source of water contamination and a potential source of toxic lead poisoning. Lead is so toxic that even very low levels may be dangerous. Lead consumption and poisoning has been linked to many serious illnesses, especially in young children. Lead can harm mental and physical development and may cause brain abnormalities, kidney damage and hypertension. As with other water contaminants, the risk of lead damage are much greater for children than for adults --families should be particularly concerned about the health of the water supply. Consumers should test lead levels at each faucet in the home, especially if the plumbing fixtures could be from the 1980's or older. Lead from pipes can leach into household water used for drinking, cooking and washing.

Pesticides
PESTICIDES ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN DRINKING WATER - Pesticides are deadly chemicals used to eliminate weeds, insects and other harmful elements in crops. Their pervasive use, however, has produced its own harm. Now it is not uncommon to find pesticide contamination in our drinking water. Atrazine and Simazine are two of the pesticides most commonly found to contaminate drinking water. More than 60 million pounds of these two chemicals are introduced into the environment each year as herbicides, and left to potentially leak into the soil, groundwater, and the lakes and rivers that are the sources for the water we drink. They are so toxic that the EPA-mandated maximum level is equivalent to less than one drop in a swimming pool. There are laws that require the regular testing of community water supplies, but they are, in practice, rarely tested. Now, Watersafe® brings laboratory-level accuracy within your reach.

Nitrates and Nitrites
A COMMON YET INCREDIBLY HARMFUL POLLUTANT ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND SMALL ANIMALS - When animal and human wastes or field fertilizers come into contact with water, they show up as nitrates and nitrites. Both are serious contaminants because they affect the very core of human life - birth and the development of young life. In 1992, when the survey was released, some 22,500 infants drinking domestic well water were estimated to be exposed to levels of nitrates exceeding the EPA safe drinking water limits; for community systems, the number was estimated to be 43,500 infants.

Chlorine
DRINKING CHLORINE IN SMALL AMOUNTS MAY NOT HURT YOU, BUT CHLORINE BY-PRODUCTS CAN - The consumption of chlorine in very small amounts most likely will not cause you serious harm. What may be harmful, however, are the by-products, including chloroform, that chlorine produces when mixed with organic matter.

Hardness
WHEN YOU HAVE HARD WATER, IT CAN TAKE TWICE AS MUCH SOAP TO DO YOUR LAUNDRY - Water hardness is primarily caused by calcium and magnesium compounds. These chemicals are not easily detected, but the numerous negative effects can be unpleasant and costly. When you have hard water it can take twice as much soap to do your laundry.

pH Level
KNOWING THE PH LEVEL OF YOUR WATER CAN HELP YOU PREVENT SECONDARY EFFECTS - If the acidity of your water is too high, corrosion can leach out lead from pipes and plumbing as well as damage your water supply system and water heater..

http://www.nitro-pak.com/water-safe-test-kit-complete

Are You Ready Series: Off Grid Refrigeration

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
September 2010

Many would not argue that our entire way of life is dependent upon gadgets of convenience. The air conditioner cools off the home, the home’s main water supply is pumped by a fuel source, and our food is kept cool and fresh by the refrigerator in your kitchen. Did you know that your refrigerator consumes on average 8% of your monthly electric bill? If a sudden emergency were to occur, all the food in your refrigerator is spoiled. Some individuals do not see this as a real threat to their well being. However, the threat is real and entirely possible.

In an article at SHTF Plan, a physicist states that a solar flare is a real possibility and could pose a serious threat to our way of life. This type of threat is such a concern that in the physicist’s own words believes, “We’d be thrown back 100 years.”

If we do find ourselves in a sudden long term emergency where the use of electricity is non-existent, what are our options as far as keeping food rerefrigerated? Are you equipped and prepared to live in an environment where there is no electricity? Many off-grid homesteaders have found a few solutions that could help us out of with this predicament and save us on our monthly electric bill.
Off-Grid Solutions for Refrigerating Food

Battery Powered Refrigerators - Many of the refrigerators that operate on 12v or 24v DC battery were designed for those that live on boats or in smaller living quarters such as an RV. The DC motor compressor operates on 12 or 24 VDC. In comparison, the average off-the-shelf refrigerator operates at 250v-300v. However, a drawback to this type of refrigerator is the insulation walls can be quite thin making it inefficient in terms of preserving it’s fuel source. Another drawback is these types of refrigerators are expensive and could be maintenance intensive.
Gas/Propane Refrigerators – A gas or propane refrigerator has no moving parts and use gas or propane as their main energy source. Many boats, RV and off-grid homes use this type of refrigeration method. The average cost for a propane fridge is $800. Many would argue that these types of refrigerators eat through gas, so plan on lots of trips to fill up on fuel. Of course, if you can afford a little extra, there are models that are “multi-fuel” — propane/AC, propane/DC, and propane/AC/DC (which might be the best way to go for “insurance” against possible shortage of one fuel/power supply). Ideally it would be advisable for the homestead using this type of refrigerator to have a natural gas well in order to have a continual free source of fuel.
Solar Powered Refrigerator - These innovative types of refrigerators use evaporation to cool the box off. Another type of solar powered refrigerator works with the help of a solar panel. By creating electricity with the help of the solar panels, it then uses the electricity like a normal plug in refrigerator. Battery free refrigerators such as the SunDanzer DDR165 Battery-Free DC can be hooked right into the solar panel. Many believe that solar refridgerators are expensive, however, old refrigerators can be converted into solar powered refrigerators. An article on Mother Earth News explains it all. Layout Plans for a Solar Powered Ice Maker
Prototypes – The prototype zero-emission fridge doesn’t need gas, propane or kerosene and is powered by regular fire. According to an article on ecogeek, “At that point it begins to grow cold, and it is inserted into an insulated container of some sort of a jug, or even a hole in the ground. It gets colder and colder, bringing the temperature of the container to just above freezing, and keeping it that way for about 24 hours.” It is also fairly affordable to. At $40 per unit you can’t get any better than that!
Ice Houses – This is another alternative refrigeration source. For more information on this refrigeration source, click here.
What Do I Do With My Current Refrigerator?

If a long term emergency occurs and you no more have use for your electrically operated refrigerator, convert it into a solar dehydrator or a solar cooker. It could also be used as a bulk storage container for preparations. This would be a great way to keep bulk preparedness items like wheat out of contact with insects and temperature fluctuations. Additionally, some feel that due to the zero oxygen inside the refrigerators can be used as an anaerobic digester to create bio-fuel.
Whether a person is planning for a hurricane, EMP or TEOTWAWKI, electricity or lack there of, will pose a problem to those that are not prepared. There is a lot of great information out there regarding this topic. Finding which alternative refrigerator source works best for your family, requires some researching on your part. Here are some additional articles that may be helpful:
http://eveningrainfarm.com/2005/08/r...-off-the-grid/
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago102.html
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalo...s.htm#SUNFROST

http://readynutrition.com/resources/...tion_16092010/

Are You Ready Series: Using Mental Preparedness to Survive

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
December 2009

Having the right frame of mind to handle the stresses before and after a disaster is a key component to surviving the event. Mental preparation is usually the last item one prepare’s for. Without mental preparedness for a given situation, many succumb to the traumatic event, due to distress, shock, indecision or panic. When it comes to survival techniques, there are many who feel confidant with their knowledge and skills, but without the will to overcome a given situation, panic will set in and mistakes will be made.

The Mental Game

Fear can strike at the heart of anyone that allows it to, thus causing them unwanted stress and anxiety. Mental preparation for a given situation can create a resilience in them that can keep a person moving on. Maintaining a positive attitude and using seeds of hope in the wake of a disaster, can literally keep a person alive, and keep them putting one foot in front of the other. When a person begins to lose their sense of self, and begin to doubt they will see another tomorrow, they need to cling to their higher hope.

There are many ways of maintaining and keeping the right mind frame. For many, there own stubbornness can see them through the disaster. For others, they will need to use other methods.

• Maintain the will to live, no matter what.
• Adapt to the situation and use ingenuity.
• Be proactive and find anything that can alleviate the situation.
• There is more than one solution to the problem. All one needs to do is to find it.
• Having a goal (survival plan, see loved ones again, revenge).
• Go with the flow. And make the best of it.
• Refusing to give into negative core beliefs (not smart enough, not good enough, unlovable, defective, powerless, not safe, etc).

If a person is in a situation where they feel powerless, there are two scenarios that could play out. They will either imagine themselves as a hero and figuring a way out, or imagine themselves as a victim. When playing stories out in one’s head, the mind does not know if the story is real or not real, it just plays the story out as it unfolds. If a person imagines themselves being decisive and controlling their fears and acting rational, then the mind will only know to act this way in the future. If the person imagines themselves hiding and afraid, then they will train their mind to act in this manner.

These fears can break a person’s resolve, thus causing indecision. In the popular series, Band of Brothers a young leader for the soldiers suddenly freezes up when he is confronted with enemy combatants. He cannot face the situation he is in and cannot make a rational decision, all the while leaving his young soldiers in a vulnerable and precarious position. Failing to anticipate the stresses that a person may be under and not preparing for them can cause panic, indecision and possibly death.

Focus on What Can Be Controlled

Focusing on things way beyond one’s control is allowing negative core beliefs to come into the mind. Finding ways to stay busy and focused on the task at hand can help a person get the right frame of mind back. For example, if a person found themselves alone in the wilderness and are beginning to feel helpless, they could regain some confidence by physically putting out their items in their 72 hour bag to see if there are enough survival items there to keep them alive. Additionally, the person would be able to create a decisive plan with these survival items. The survival plan is the goal, and the seed of hope that will get the person out of danger and on their journey back to their family.
Reactions to Survival
For many, the immense amount of disruption from a disaster situation will create trauma and distress for them. Some go into shock and do not know how to deal and interact with their environment. The acknowledgment of fear can create emotions that many disaster victims are subjected to. Emotions such as fear, disbelief, disorientation, and difficulty making decisions. In a survival situation, a person feels these emotions for a reason, and those emotions are there to keep the person alive. Remember that using these feelings to a person’s advantage is making good use of the situation as well as the energy that those emotion’s are exerting.

Using our Emotions to our Advantage

Stress, fear and anxiety are all associated as negative and destructive emotions. However, these could make a person more alert of the situation, stimulate and motivate a person to perform at their very best levels. The emotions will not only to take advantage of a person’s strengths, but to work on one’s weaknesses and the face their fears. Using these emotions as an advantage requires great concentration and control, because too much of these stresses can cause distress and even paralyzing fear. A person must confront and manage these emotions head on in order to keep up their momentum and to not go into panic mode.

In Les Stroud’s book, Survive! Essential Skills And Tactics To Get You Out Of Anywhere – Alive, Stroud advises anyone in a disaster situation to stay focused on how a person can improve their situation in order to find the strength to go on. Stroud goes on to say that “Finding ways to relieve fear through knowledge by assessing the situation and environment, and understanding the specifics of the emergency, a person should be able to begin formulating a decisive plan of action.”

Nature can be a cruel and unforgiving place to be in when a person is facing it on their own. Depression and loneliness can set in and the act of giving up hope only approaches that much faster. The focus shifts from surviving and maintaining health in order to get out alive, to being convinced there is no way out. There is always a way out. There are always a multitude of solutions that someone can find. Focusing on what is important in a person’s lives and clinging to that thought with all of their might will help lead them out of danger.

http://readynutrition.com/resources/...vive_27122009/

Are You Ready Series: Emergency Evacuations

Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
December 2009

Some disasters cause evacuation orders for people to leave their homes and communities. For some, a state of panic will set in due to lack of preparedness. The amount of time a person leaves their home solely depends on how prepared they are and if an initial plan was set. Having a predetermined plan in place a head of time will save time, money, energy and sometimes a life.

According to FEMA, evacuations are more common than many realize.

Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. Almost every year, people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.




A decisive plan of action should take into account the pros and cons of any given situation. Be objective. The main priorities to keep in mind are shelter, fire, and water/food. Always have Plan A, B and C. And stay focused at the task at hand. Evacuating due to an unforeseen emergency has two parts:
Evacuating from a home due to a fire or flood - If a home evacuation is in order, there is little time to collect belongings. Some experts say a person has 10 minutes or less to collect needed items. Prepare a list a head of time of the items that would need to be taken such as photo albums, identification (birth certificates, social security cards, financial documents, wills/deeds, and medical insurance information), proof of address, as well as items for a 72 hour bag. Dividing the duties between family members will make this situation more efficient as well as make better use of time.

Household Emergency Evacuation Plan

• Draw a blue print of the home and then draw an evacuation route and a meeting place.
• Make one drawing for each story of the home. Keep this in a area of the home where members of the family can see and review often.
• If the home is more than one story, have an emergency ladder or rope to use as a secondary evacuation method.
• Have maps ready for the closest evacuation centers, main and alternative route for leaving the city in North, South, East and West directions. Driving the routes a head of time can determine the best ways of arriving at the determined location.
• Meet up spots outside the affected areas if a family is separated and not traveling together.
• Designate person outside of the area as a primary contact for the family.
• If there is time, shut off main gas valves to the home.

Source – www.nationalterroralert.com

Evacuating a community – Community evacuations normally provide a person with more time to prepare their homes and collect belongings, but this is not always the case. The faster a person begins traveling to their destination the better chance of dodging traffic and any unnecessary stressful situations. If a person can evacuate before a mandatory evacuation has been announced, the better off they will be.

Community Evacuation Plan

• Plan the evacuation - Have maps on hand with the planned route already made.
• Have a Plan B – In the event that certain roads are closed, have an alternate evacuation route.
• Have a place to meet - If a family is not all together when an evacuation is ordered, having a predetermined meeting place will allow the members to reunite and travel to their primary location. Make sure each of the family members knows the meet up spot.
• Choose a location to stay – When evacuations are ordered, some go to hotels to wait the disaster out, some flee to family or friend’s homes that are outside the affected area. Where ever that location is, make sure that if need be, staying there for a longer amount of time is alright. If a person goes to a hotel, bring extra money in case staying there longer is needed.

Source – www.nationalterroralert.com

Considerations When Evacuating

• Is there reliable form of transportation?
• Are there properly mapped out routes?
• What is the emergency evacuation procedures for children’s schools? Will they be taken someone else? Can you get them?
• Is there a full tank of gas (and extra gas if needed)?
• If there are possible dangers or bad weather elements, can a person stay safe and protected?
• Is there an alternate route or escape route?
• Leave early enough to avoid any traffic.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes.
• If possible, try and stay off of main highways feeding into the city.

If a person or family has no means of transportation and realize that walking is the only option:

• What is the route that will be taken?
• What is the distance walked each day?
• Where will each person sleep?
• Does the person have a method of signaling in case of emergency?
• Does the person walking realize that extra food and water will be needed to compensate for the extra needed energy from walking?
• Is the person properly dressed for this type of traveling?
• If the person follows the main highway system out of town, there could be a lot of trouble that could occur. Can the person defend themselves?
• Does the person have an escape route?

Evacuating With Pets

The Humane Society encourages all pet owners to take their pets along when a evacuation is ordered. According to the Humane Society, “many pets who are turned loose or left behind to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, accidents or exposure to elements.” Many evacuation shelters do not accept pets, so plan accordingly. Preparing a three day or 72 hour kit pet kit will keep the pets as safe as possible.



Evacuating a home or community is a stressful situation for many who are unprepared for this possibility. Following the correct protocals by having a family emergency plan, a decided meeting place, pre-established traveling routes and maps can help alleviate this tension high situation.

Related Articles:
Are You Ready Series: Emergency Medical Supply
Are You Ready Series: Emergency Water Supply
Are You Ready Series: Emergency Clothing

Are You Ready Series: Essential Footwear
Are You Ready Series: 72 Hour Kits

http://readynutrition.com/resources/...ions_16122009/

Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQwZIGB ... re=related



In memory of those left to die http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCjm8WHN ... re=related

Plan for your pets and take them with you

Extreme Dog Backpack so they can carry their own food / water / supplys

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Features:

Dog tripper
Available in Green, Orange and Red colors
Travel packs that pets can wear
Two zippered storage pouches that are connected by an adjustable center strip
Rugged travel pack for pets on the go
Adjusts to balance load and padded for comfort
Leash ring, top handle, and reflective strips
Available in Large and Medium sizes

Measure Dog to Find the Perfect Fit

Measurement Instructions:
Length (L) = Measurement from Neck to Tail
Girth/Chest (G) = Measurement around the broadest part of the chest
Neck (N) = Measurement around the Neck

Recommended Sizing by Breed:

Medium: Basset Hound, Bulldog, Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound, Dalmatian

Large: Afghan, Doberman, German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Rottweiler, Collie

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or here http://wolfpacks.com/

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http://thefamilystore.net/Dog_Cat_accessories.htm

http://thefamilystore.net/Dog_Cat_accessories.htm



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