10 Tips for Personal Survival and Preparation for Disaster
1. Toxicity. Overall, use fewer chemicals and toxins. Eat wholesome, fresh food, (as organic whenever possible); drink good water (filtered in some way to remove chemicals and potential pathogens -- for specifics, see chapter 1 of Staying Healthy with Nutrition); and use more natural products for your body and your home in regards to skin and hair care and home cleaning supplies. Use less electricity by turning off (and unplugging where appropriate) appliances and lights when not in use. Less exposure to EMFs (electro-magnetic fields) allows the body to circulate its own energy better, sleep, and function better, and using less lowers our monthly bill and lessens electricity use.2. Relationships. Keep positive and balanced relationships in your life, with your spouse or sweetheart, family members, neighbors, work associates. Stay connected to yourself and others! And cultivate relationships with people who you can support and who support you back. Love for others and a positive feeling of community are vital to staying healthy for most of us humans. And if you have a special pet that has a place in your home and heart, look at what their needs are as you review the following tips. Do you maintain the supplies that they need too?
3. Stress Issues. Look at how you create and are impacted by stress in your life. I believe that: Stress is the result of how we relate to others and our world, or more likely, Stress is the result of how we react to life events. It is not the events themselves, but our reaction to them.
--Look at your attitude and your ability to relate
--Express your ideas and feelings
--Realize that there is a big difference in reacting and responding. Reaction is a defense, whereas response suggests that we have received, processed the information within us, and then responded appropriately.
--Take time to BE, not just DO.
4. Home Preparedness. Evaluate your home. Do you have the supplies that you need for all household members (even add a guest) should there be any local disaster or loss of electricity, heat and/or water. Here are a few ideas for household preparation:
--Water (1 gal per person per day and Food (canned items, dried items)
--First-aid Kit can include Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, gauze and tape, aspirin or pain reliever, and homeopathic Arnica Montana for injuries.
--Propane stove and pots for cooking
--Recycled paper products for eating and cleaning
--Blankets and clothes, goggles and masks for air protection
--Sanitation Products (made from recycled paper also)
--Flashlight and batteries (or non-battery LED lights), portable radio, matches, etc. For a solar powered LED flashlight with extra gadgetry and uses, visit: http://www.quakekare.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=57
--For a more detailed list, see Emergency Disaster Supplies on www.getreadymarin.org
--Keep copies of all important documents (and some cash) in a single box, bag, or briefcase for easy and rapid transport. These can be kept close to your first-aid kit and other emergency supplies. Also keep separate copies offsite, such as in a safety deposit box or mailed to a family member or friend who lives at least 100 miles away.
--Develop and distribute to those in your home and office a pocket-sized list of the top things to be sure to do in the event of a disaster. This would be the first thing to do in a disaster: Pull out the list and simply DO what it says to do, such as turn off the gas lines, check status of all people who should be accounted for, etc.
--Regarding personal supplies, be aware of what you have and their expiration dates. Make sure they stay fresh and usable by replacing when needed. Make an investment and update your supplies several times a year.
5. Automobile Preparedness. Evaluate and prepare your car in case you get stuck away from home. A longer one is available on www.getreadymarin.org, the look Car Kit page.
--1-2 gallons of water (may want to store in glass, protected)
--Snack foods and some cash ($50 or more)
--First-aid kit and toilet paper
--Flashlight and batteries
--Walking/hiking shoes and extra clothes
--Flares, matches and tools
--Heavy gloves and blanket or sleeping bag
--Keep your gas tank more than full
6. Office Preparedness. Suggest meetings at work to look at emergency situations. How is the office prepared to handle isolation and disaster? Who is in charge of this? Is there a backup generator and necessary supplies to support everyone in the office, such as stored water, food, blankets, etc? You could personally have the supplies you need in a big plastic waterproof bag with a few snacks, bottle or two of water, a blanket, comfortable walking shoes, flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio for starters.
7. Medications and Personal Supplies. What about any required medicines or nutritional supplements that you depend upon? Keep some extra supplies of items that you cannot do without just in case. One problem with prescription medications is that insurance companies typically allow only 30-day supplies and you cannot get a refill until right before you are out. Check your insurance plan, and many have 90-day supplies for less cost to you and them with a mail order prescription. Otherwise, you can ask your doctor for some extras at your visit. With natural medicines, you can store some extras of those most important for you. Just be sure to watch their expiration dates as well and I follow the motto of my father from our family grocery store way back when: Rotate and Rejuvenate. In other words, keep things fresh and do not keep the oldest stuff in the back. This is also important for your refrigerators and cupboards as well.
8. Financial Considerations. Do you have some cash available at home (even some hidden in your car)? Many people nowadays live through plastic and count on electrical debits and credits. Yet, what happens without electricity or phones or ATMs? Cash is gold in a time of crisis. We are all concerned with the financial state of our country and the world right now. Are the banks and governments stable? If we are concerned about personal investments and stability, diversity is the wisest choice these days.
9. Individual Roles. What is your role at home, at work, or in your local community if there is some disaster? Some world communities focus on this. Of course, we will all typically do whatever we can to help ourselves, our family, and our community, or anyone based on where we are. It is basic human nature to want to help; but also basic human nature to care for ourselves and loved ones, and to survive. When we are prepared, we are more able to take care of others.
10. Summary Review. Prepare for the most likely disaster in your area. Is it an earthquake, flood, or fire? Or more possibly a volcano eruption or avalanche? We all have something that Mother Nature could impose on us when she does her thing, or that humans may create in our neighborhoods or airports. We have all been stuck somewhere, some time. Be prepared. The American Red Cross has sheets for many natural events, such as earthquakes. There are also local handouts in your city commonly to help get your thinking and households organized. Use the resources you have, and bring your community together at home and at work. It may be worth it.
Do not be sorry, be safe and prepared!
As eco-poetess Argisle says, Do not be scared, be prepared!
