greenies

by

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.

by

Step 1: Schedule a Time

Like anything, preparing takes some time and thought.  Start today by looking at your schedule and deciding on a time you will be able to prioritize your emergency preparedness.  If you have no preference, choose Monday morning or Monday evening.  (I’ve found that if you want something done, Monday is a winner).  Do not become overwhelmed.  It does not even require an hour.  Plan at least 20 minutes to do SOMETHING each week on your preparedness.  Even if you only think about it, those thoughts will eventually lead to action. 

If you are too busy one week, just come back to it.  Don’t let an immediate need go neglected because of your plan, but don’t let your plan always be neglected, either.   Just keep coming back to it.  If you do your plan even 80% of the time you will move mountains a teaspoon at a time.  But, if you find it is almost never happening, reschedule:  pick a different day or decide on which activities you can and will sacrifice to make this path of peace a priority.    

by

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Preparing to prepare is a little like preparing to be a distance runner.  You have to want to prepare.  You have to know why you are doing it and why it is worth the sacrifice of time and resources.  You have to schedule a time to do it.  You have to budget some money for it.  And, you have to DO your plan.  All of this takes time.  Be patient with yourself.  New athletes or people trying to lose weight often fall, crash and burn on the very same hurdle:  Too Much Too Soon.  Take small steps.  This is a lifestyle change.  Work it in to your priorities and your way of life.  Make a spot in your schedule.  Take it easy on yourself.  Small consistent steps will get you and keep you places where short, exhausting bursts never can.  That is the purpose of this site:  to provide support for you while you become a person who is and continues to be peacefully prepared.