Imagine for one moment that you wake up one morning and the world, as you know it is in chaos, but you are oblivious to that fact, for the time being. The light next to the bed does not respond because the electrical grid has been destroyed, but you do not know this yet. You may simply assume another power outage. Your thinking is that the power company will have things up and running in a matter of hours. You do not know it yet, but this is not the case.
Hours go by and you begin to wonder, and then panic creeps under your veil of certainty that your local government and authorities have the situation under control. At first, you never gave a thought to calling anyone. However, you decide it may be time to contact someone, but whom and how would you do it.
Hackers in the employ of a rogue nation have finally penetrated the country’s cyber security. The electrical grid has been shut down and in an abundance of caution, local governments have shut down numerous water treatment plants. The plants operate by computer and now the integrity of the water supply is in question across the nation.
Neighbors are stopping by asking questions but most are speculating and they have heard rumors they tell you. You do not know what to think you tell them, who to call, or where to go for help. No electricity, no water and anything that operates by computer is inoperative it seems.
Preparation and Training Can Quell Panic in These Types of Situations
Many realize in the back of their minds that something could happen at some point. They have stocked up on a few canned goods and have a few gallons of water in the pantry. The typical family has enough non-perishable food and water to survive for about 72 hours. The refrigerated food will spoil in a matter of hours. Frozen foods will last between 24 and 48 hours.
People Panic Because They Do Not Know What to Do Next
Disaster can strike at anytime. Natural disasters are ongoing, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can happen at any time. Manmade ones can happen as well and they are just as likely in today’s world. Reasonable people realize that others wish the country harm. Many are convinced it will never happen to them however. Others, fighting a timetable they have set in their own minds are gathering all they can to be ready.
Disasters Can Start Out As the Simplest of Things
Disaster can be a camping trip that goes wrong or a simple day hike that turns into days lost in the wilderness. You as a practical person realize you cannot possibly pack everything you might need. You cannot carry your household on your back as you hike through the woods. You also realize, that literally tons of food, others are hoarding will be lost if an earthquake or tornado destroys their home and all that they have collected. So what is the answer?
If you end up lost in the woods, for example, or when you find the world, as you know it is gone you must have the means to sustain life.
You Must Be Able To
- Start A Fire With Out Matches
- Gather And Purify Drinking Water
- Provide Medical Attention To Yourself And Family
- Build A Shelter
- Gather Or Forage For Food
- Prepare Food
- Protect Your Family And Possessions
Easier said than done of course however, with some practice you can start a fire without matches in various ways. You can forage close by your shelter for farm animals such as chickens, dairy cows and cattle. You can find patio gardens in an urban setting and find and use discarded items from others that have succumbed to panic and are racing away.
You should stay put however, because if the government does recover they will begin search and rescue and maybe you can pick up a few more survival supplies. Many people will panic and will run out of fear. Fleeing is a natural instinct that must be overcome. If your area is safe, then stay put.
Immediately organize your family and assign tasks such as food gathering, cooking and water purification. Water can be made safe to drink by boiling, chlorine bleach and two percent liquid iodine. Iodine and bleach is readily available and boiling requires a vessel and fire. Rainwater can be captured; lakes, ponds and even swimming pools are another source. The water must be purified before drinking however.
To simplify the ratio use gallons for measurement, many products such as vinegar and water come in gallon containers that are safe to reuse. There are four quarts to a gallon so the ratio can be adjusted accordingly. Purify as large a quantity as possible because the source may run out or if you have to leave quickly, you will have safe water to carry.
You will need an eyedropper to purify water with bleach. The measurement for purification is the standard drop from an eyedropper. Liquid iodine typically will come with its own dropper. Do not interchange the droppers, this is important, bleach and iodine do not mix well. Therefore, never mix the two to purify water; always purify the entire amount with either chlorine bleach or iodine.
The ratio for iodine is 20 drops per gallon of water. The water should be filtered before purification and you must use two containers. The container you use to dip the water out of the source will have contaminates around the drink line. Dip with one and filter into another avoiding contaminating the drink line. Once in the container add your drops and shake well. The water must set for at least 30 minutes. If the water is extremely cloudy, add up to five additional drops. If boiling water filter first and allow the water to boil rapidly. Water temperatures at 160° F (70° C) kills all pathogens within 30 minutes and above temperatures 185° F (85° C) kills all pathogens within a few minutes. So the instant water reaches a rolling boil, it has already become safe to drink.
The ratio for chlorine bleach is eight drops per gallon. Use the same procedure as you did with the iodine. If the water is cloudy you can add up to eight additional drops, never exceed 16 drops of bleach per gallon however. Water is your most important commodity in a survival situation, so it must be protected from further contamination.
Practice and begin gathering supplies. You simply never know when you may be called upon to save your own life and the lives of your family and friends. The following list is by no means comprehensive; it is simply a starting point. Each member by having the same supplies can survive if they become separated from the family.
Every Member of the Family Should Have Identical Items in Their pack To Include
- Fire Starters Such As Magnesium Sticks With A Striker For Sparks
- Magnifying Glass To Start Fires As Wells
- Fix Bladed Knife
- Multi-Purpose Knife
- Compass
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Full Water Bottle
- Empty Water Bottle To use For Dipping Contaminated Water
- Coffee Filters
- 2% Liquid Iodine/Purification Tablets
- Small Stainless Steel Bowl To Boil Water In
- Compass
- Protein Bars
- Rain Gear Such As A Poncho Or Rain Suit
- Clothing For The Season