72 hr kit

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July OTA: First Aid and Shelter

The 5th step is First Aid and Shelter.

Greenies:  For a first aid kit, gather what you have into a double zip lock bag or plastic container.  This can do for a start.  Make a list of what you need and start to gather it a piece at a time.  Or, buy a premade first aid kit.  Red Cross and other reputable organizations make lists of what should be in a first aid kit.  So, use theirs or make your own.  

Take CPR:  I teach CPR so I am partial to this training.  But, hey, it could save the life of a dear family member.  It is never too soon to make time for it!!  Even if you lose someone you love, it brings peace to know everything was done that could have been.  No regrets.  

Shelter:  Greenies can start with a tent or several very large tarps, ropes, stakes and tie downs.  This will keep the rain off you in case you are unable to stay in your home.  Also:  Find out about the local shelter programs and locations in your area.  Make plans of when you will go there and under what circumstances.  People requiring electricity for medically necessary devices and those that need other services may need to relocate sooner than those who can live through power outages, etc.

Maintenance/Experienced:  First Aid Kit:  Update and rotate any expired or damaged items in your kit.  Take the time to add  to the kit such things as large bandages for large wounds, snake bite kit,  cpr mask, update your CPR and first aid certifications (usually good for 2 years), a small sewing kit, ipecac–Use your knowledge of what might be to prepare even more.  

Shelter:  Review your shelter plans and make sure they are still current.  Be sure two family members and/or a neighbor you trust know where you plan to be.  Upgrade your tarps to bigger ones, or a better tent.  Maybe make it actually comfortable and useful by getting one nice enough to take camping–hey, lots of fun state parks here to try out and hone your camping skills.  Make some non-electronic memories.  

Advanced/Extra Milers:

Continue to expand your first aid kit to the degree that you feel might be useful without being wasteful.  

Check your tent for maintenance issues or needed repairs and be sure it is still water tight and viable if you needed to live in it.  

Reach out to others in the community and help them with this type of preparation. 

Red Cross is looking for volunteers to teach awareness and preparation in the community.  You could volunteer.

Donate these types of items (even if they are the hand me downs after an upgrade) to someone else in your neighborhood, church or community to help others prepare who may not have the financial means available to prepare as well as they’d like to.

Increase your personal First Aid or CPR training.  Red Cross teaches Aquatics (life guard training) and also Wilderness Survival classes.  

Youth can take babysitting classes that teach many of these same skills.

Help Boy Scouts or others teaching youth these same skills.

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Prepping 101: On a budget!

Here is another blog you may find useful

Prepping, Pop Culture & Politics

I recently had a close friend respond to one of my posts and ask a very good question related to getting into prepping on a small budget.  I think this is an issue for many folks who are interested in disaster preparedness but have no idea where to start and might be experiencing financial stress.  The irony here is that the financial stress might even be the issue that showed a person the need to be prepared for disasters yet they feel they are unable to implement any basic preparedness principles based on a lack of money.  I intend to show in this post that basic entry level disaster preparedness does not require much cash.

So lets review the ABC’s of preparedness.  A stands for ALWAYS by informed!  B stands for BUILD an emergency kit.  C stands of CREATE a plan.  You can do two of these things with literally…

View original post 3,194 more words

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Step 2: Water

We can survive on a lot less than we think we can.  Water, though, is a necessity.  Begin by thinking about your water situation:  I’ve read that a gallon a person per day is enough.  That might be enough for drinking and surviving, but it isn’t enough for flushing toilets, washing dishes, and hygiene needs.  So, start with a gallon per person per day, but keep in mind, you will eventually want other sources as well. 

So, for a 72 hr emergency kit, you would need at least 3 gallons per person of safe, dependable drinking water.  Start with getting enough for your family for ONE day and work up to 3 or more.

Container Tips:  Thick, clear plastic water jugs work well and do not deteriorate like the milk jug type.  Milk-jug type water containers break down over time and may leak out and ruin things.  Smaller quart size water bottles might work better for putting in back packs, etc. 

Walmart and hardware stores will often sell water jugs in camping sections or near the same area where gas cans are displayed.  Gas cans are red.  Water cans are usually blue or white and usually are 2, 3, or 5 gallon size.  The larger cans are great for storing more water for longer than 72 hrs or for washing and hygiene uses. 

Two problems we’ve had with these blue and/or white large water containers:  We had no problem with them leaking when stored indoors or in the garage.  But, stored outdoors, the sun and weather broke them down over a year or so and they ended up cracking, and being useless.  So, they will need protection from the elements to stay secure.

A certain type of square water jug has a spigot that when stored in it leaves an open back end of the spout exposed on the top of the jug.  This just collects dirt and may compromise the integrity of the water.  Take care to experiment a little with the jug before you buy it and make sure it will actually be airtight. 

Bleach containers:  To use or not to use:  Bleach gallon jugs are actually made of very strong material and will last well.  BUT, we don’t want our children getting confused and accidentally drinking or using bleach like water.  My solution:  After ALL THE BLEACH IS GONE and it just smells like bleach but the bleach is gone, I fill it with water.  The left over chlorine will not be enough to harm and can keep nasty things from growing in it.  Then I TAKE OFF THE LABEL and I write H2O on it with a permanent marker.  So my water storage in these containers says H2O FOR CLEANING ONLY on it.  I wouldn’t trust drinking this water, but it will store long and well for other uses.  Also, children who are not old enough to understand the symbol will not know it means water.  I have had no incident that caused me to worry with this system. 

Water and rain barrels:  These can be purchased online or around here you can pick them up at the local green market.  The ones we have are thick, blue plastic, hold 50 gallons I believe and we have had no problem with them even out in the weather for years. 

In general, water must be rotated every year to stay tasting good.  But, I understand even old water can be boiled or aerated to make it safe and drinkable.  So, having water is by far preferable to not having it.