By Barry “Buck” Conner

Now that got your attention, “Ready for What?” your asking yourself. What’s this about, another one of those me, me articles! NO read on.

We all read about “Terrorism” on a daily routine. Throughout human history, there have been more threats than one can count to the security of nations. Granted these threats have brought about large-scale losses of life, the destruction of property, widespread illness and injury, the displacement of large numbers of people, devastating economic loss and so on.

Natural Hazards, there are many types of natural hazards. These are natural events that threaten lives, property, and assets. Often, natural hazards can be predicted. They tend to occur repeatedly in the same geographical locations being related to weather patterns or physical characteristics of an area. Natural hazards such as flood, fire, earthquake, tornado, and windstorms affect thousands of people every year.

Technological hazards include hazardous materials incidents and nuclear power plant failures. Usually, little or no warning, in many cases, victims may not know they have been affected until many years later. The number of technological incidents have been escalating, mainly as a result of the increased number of new substances and human error inherent in the use of these materials.

Let’s look at a few sources;

Now how’s that for hitting all angles of Emergency Preparedness, surprisingly you‘ll find all are on the same wave-link.

Each group will tell you of their idea of a “72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit”, in some cases making it sound like they were the first or their idea is the best. When in fact when compared all three have very like items with the same theme.

You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days.

Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. Or, you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies you need.

Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

How Should I Store Water?
To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. Observe the expiration or “use by” date.

If You Are Preparing Your Own Containers of Water
It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below on filling the container with water.

If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles – not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.

If Storing Water in Plastic Soda Bottles, Follow These Steps
Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.

Filling Water Containers
Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water. Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark place. Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.

The following are things to consider when putting together your food supplies:

Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed. Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition:

As mentioned the Boy Scouts of America have preached “BE PREPARED” since first organizing back in 1910. WOW they’re a 100 years old this year. Every boy that has joined as been taught to take care of himself and others.

BSA statement: Emergency management, emergency preparedness, and disaster services are common throughout the United States—we take care of each other. By whatever name, these activities encompass mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery related to any kind of disaster, whether natural, technological, or national security. Emergency preparedness means being prepared for all kinds of emergencies, able to respond in time of crisis to save lives and property, and to help a community—or even a nation—return to normal life after a disaster occurs.

It is a challenge to be prepared for emergencies in our world of man-made and natural phenomena. The Emergency Preparedness BSA program is planned to inspire the desire and foster the skills to meet this challenge in our youth and adult members so that they can participate effectively in this crucial service to their families, communities, and nation. From its beginning, the Scouting movement has taught youth to do their best, to do their duty to God and country, to help others, and to prepare themselves physically, mentally, and morally to meet these goals. The basic aims of Scouting include teaching youth to take care of themselves, to be helpful to others, and to develop courage, self-reliance, and the will to be ready to serve in an emergency.

The primary emphasis of this initial step in the program is to train members to be mentally and emotionally prepared to act promptly and to develop in them the ability to take care of themselves. Teaching young people to know and be able to use practical survival skills when needed is an important part of individual preparedness.

Since family groups will be involved in most emergency situations, this part of the plan includes basic instructions to help every Scouting family prepare for emergencies. Families will work together to learn basic emergency skills and how to react when faced with fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, explosions, warning signals, fallout protection, terrorism attacks, and other emergency situations.

What you have on hand when a disaster happens could make a big difference. Plan to store enough supplies for everyone in your household for at least three days.

When I started gathering supplies and what was remembered from my old Boy Scout days, I found my memory has faded. Now was the time to start reading what others have written, the more you research this subject the more repeated items are found. At this point after going through 25 magazines with survival articles and cross referenced each author’s list. Like many have stated and I’m a firm believer in “I love getting out on the ground, but I want to return home just as much too”.

Richard Johnson wrote in: “The Art of Staying Alive” along with some of the mentioned wares were reference to the book “The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive” by Cody Lundin is the Number One book to have on this subject. Lundin’s Number One Rule is “Tell someone where you are going”.

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Charlie Fox wrote an article titled: “The Wandering Minimalist” along the mentioned wares are his reference to using multi-vitamins for your nutritional needs along with tea or coffee bags to help with your spirit. He likes to take a snack to tide him over when practicing his skills of survival, a jar of peanut butter works well too. Charlie is a believer in “The more you know, the less you have to carry”.

* Additional Items mentioned.