Celebrating Even in Apocalypse

The country has been in a slow grinding slide ever downward for some time now.  Taxes are being added at an alarming rate, while our paychecks are vanishing at an even faster one.  Food costs are rising, as is everything else.  Jobs, homes, businesses, life savings and retirements are being lost--while massive crushing debt is gained.  The ghoulish specter of runaway inflation is creeping ever nearer.  We see a government and its elites getting richer and more powerful, while the people beneath them are being made poorer and weaker.  We see loss after loss of traditional freedom and right, as Executive Orders and Congressional Bills hit us, one after the other, like a Middle Eastern stoning.   And we realize that we might be ones that see the American Dream turned into a nightmare.

And it doesn't end there.

For every time we turn on the news or load up the internet or pick up a paper we see natural disasters wrecking entire populations, the utter financial failure of yet another nation, bloody wars spilling into country after country, insane despotic leaders threatening nuclear war against anyone who stands against them, terrorists shrieking death to everyone who will not bow to their rule--and more and more and more as the world seems to slowly death spiral into burning collapse.

The despair is tangible now.  The anger is growing.

And so is the fear.

We heard it for the first time openly this last Christmas.  As despair and anger and fear fought against the holiday.  Over and over in stores and streets, the bitterly grieving whispers echoed:  "Why are we even bothering to celebrate anymore?  What have we got to look forward to now--the apocalypse?"

But the greatest evil despair and anger and fear brings us is not destruction.  It is forgetting. 

You see, throughout time, every country, every people, have experienced the very thing we are now:  dark days.  Just think back to your classroom years and page again through the old history book that once lay on your desk. 

The Irish Potato Famine

The Black Death

Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Zedong.

Damghan, Antioch, and Crete earthquakes.

World War I and II, the Korean and Vietnam wars.

And on and on and on.  From the beginning of humanity to its end, there has always been dark days.  Always.  And yet, humanity has always celebrated.  Even in the midst of the darkest of days, they still celebrated.

Why?

Because they remembered what we are in danger of currently forgetting.

The very purpose of celebration:  hope, gratitude, and joy. 

Hope that good will come, that suffering will have an end, that we can rise again and that there is still reason to rejoice even now.  That this isn't all--that there is more and it will come.  That we can be more than what we are now.  That we can do it, no matter how hard or impossible it seems--for others have.

Gratitude to survive, to live, to have even a single tiny thing to make life more bearable.  For all the great deeds or hard work or bitter suffering of others, which have come down through time or from across nations or even from people you never knew even existed, to now directly effect your life and the lives of others for the better.  For all the sacrifices that have been given to save you and anyone else who needed saving, even in the smallest of moments.  For every act of kindness or goodness or mercy or honor which ever made all the difference.

Joy, that darkness does have an end, that evil does not and cannot last forever, that good can come out of or in spite of any suffering, that there is a purpose to life which is noble and grand--and that there is something majestic and beautiful and greater beyond, waiting for us and it more than worth anything we suffer now.

Celebrations are reminders.

So how do we celebrate in dark days?  When times are hard and we just don't have all the things we used to have to celebrate with--how do we still celebrate then?

Easy.  We go back to our ancestors' ways of celebrating.

Throughout the world and across time, there are two common parts of celebration. 

First, there is the expression of the reason of the celebration.  This can be an oral recitation or reading of the record of the event being celebrated (like reading The Nativity Story from the Bible or the priest's statement of  "We are gathered here today to. . ." at a wedding, for Christians) or it can be a reenactment or ceremony/rite performance (like Hanukkah for Jews) which is a physical way to recite the event and connect the present celebration with the past event.

Second, there is the showing of one or more or all of hope, gratitude and joy, through physical means.  This can be anything from singing, dancing, game playing, gift giving and receiving, decorating surroundings or creating objects/art which signify important aspects of the reason being celebrated, and either consuming food or beverage or abstaining from one or both.

This means, if we want to celebrate, we need to have the knowledge of the thing we are celebrating as well as the physical expressions of it--and the necessary items to complete the celebration experience.

This means you need the record of the reason you are celebrating (books recording it or the accurate memory of an oral historian/authorized authority), instructions on any aspects of celebrating it (song lyrics, dance step instructions, ceremony or rite instructions, recipes, etc), and any objects or edibles necessary for completing the celebration (like particular herbs, candles, holy objects, etc). 

I suggest you sit down and carefully go through the list of the celebrations you, your family, your religion, or your people/country celebrate.  Write down each one and what you need to fulfill the experience properly--both in knowledge and items.  I'm not talking about what the marketing industry would have you need to fulfill the experience--just you!  Gather that information and those items and store them in labeled, waterproof containers in a specifically designated Holiday Section part of your Home Storage Supply we have talked about in a previous blog.  It is really important that you take the time to do this carefully--get help from family members, religious leaders, etc, to make sure you don't accidentally forget something.  Remember that you are celebrating for a specific reason, don't lose the meaning by getting buried in the marketing and don't forget to think outside the box when planning because you might not have electricity (think power out) or transportation (think blizzard or other such event) when you celebrate.  And don't forget your personal or family 'tradition' take on the celebration!

For example, take a Christmas Tote/s.

Obviously, an artificial tree with stand and ornaments must reside in the Holiday Section of your Home Storage Supply.  But, one tote can easily store the boxed, canned or bottled foods for the eating and drinking aspect--along with the recipes needed to make them.  Remember to store ALL of the items needed for your recipes, as you can't count on being able to get anything outside of your home in dark days--you might not have any money to purchase them or they might not even be available then.  Here is where a good ingredient alternative list comes in handy--as well as the knowledge of other ways foods and drinks come packaged/prepared.  Remember any traditional treats or special diet needs--and take into account the amount of people you might have attending. 

Another tote can hold necessary books (like a Bible, traditional song books, customary story books like The Night Before Christmas or other favorites, etc) and items you need (like candles, traditional games and their instructions, Nativity Set, etc).  Be sure and put in the best quality you can--you might not be able to replace them and they may need to last a long time.  Here is also where some generic traditional toys for children could be stored--like dolls, stuffed animals, games, etc.  While you should be able to make your own toys/gifts with the information, supplies and tools in your Home Storage Supply (even be able to add your ability to trade or barter to help you), it is important that you also have some 'ready made' toys/gifts just in case you have someone you didn't original expect (like a child orphaned or fostered or staying with you--or one in your area that would not otherwise receive anything).  Again, always store the best quality items you can--it will make all the difference to someone!   And they might be all they will have.

Dark days have never stopped celebrations before--don't let them stop you now.  Go back to 'basics', past the marketing and fluff.  Go back to the true meaning of your celebrations.  To what truly matters.  Because if you take the time to truly understand the real reason behind a celebration, then even if you have absolutely nothing but yourself, you can still experience the hope, gratitude and joy its remembrance is meant to bring you.

And those can take you through even the Apocalypse.

Because those will give you the courage and perspective to see past it.

Home Storage Supply

Each of the Layers of Personal Emergency Preparedness is aimed at helping you increase your independence and self-reliance.   As you add layer upon layer to yourself and your loved ones, you are increasing your skills, abilities, and supplies--and increasing your opportunities for succeeding in emergencies.  Taken together, as a whole, your layers help you deal with short term and long duration trouble.  We have talked about the layers that will help take you through two weeks of difficulty in previous posts.  Now we're ready to talk about the last layer in the set, the one specifically designed for extended emergencies and their long aftermaths--the Home Storage Supply.  Because this is the most comprehensive and far reaching layer, know that it will also be the one that takes the most preparation and planning of them all.

So let's start now.

What is the Home Storage Supply?

The Home Storage Supply is simply this:  everything you need to be self-sufficient for an absolute minimum of one year.   And that includes you, anyone living with you (human or otherwise), and your home and property.

While this seems like a really daunting layer--and it can be if you go at it without any proper planning!--you will find that if you pay attention to your focus categories, that it really isn't as scary as it seems.  The simple key is persistence.

Like they say, eat an elephant one bite at a time.

Now, if you've been building your layers as we've gone through them, you already now have increased your self-reliance to two weeks.  What we are going to do now is just keep on building. 

So how do I start?

First, begin by going through the following categories and meeting your complete needs now for one month.  Then another month, and then another, and so on.  If your personal finances are tight, then bite off a smaller piece--and go for one more week or two.  What matters is that you keep adding.  Why do we do it this way, instead of getting everything in one category before moving to the next?   Because we aim to be self-sufficient as we go rather than wait until the end!  After all, we never know when an emergency will happen.

So here we go!

The categories that you need to keep focused on are:

*Warmth, Light and Clothing
*Food and Water
*Shelter Needs
*Medical and Hygiene
*Communication
*Tools and Weapons
*Comfort and Entertainment
*Library and Documentation
*Currency Needs
*Cottage Industry and Barter

Let's talk a bit about each of these categories--again, keep in mind that you must consider yourself, those with you (human and other), and your home and property when you think about each one.


Warmth, Light and Clothing

It is very important that you compensate for possible periods of extended loss of electrical power.  You might be lucky and keep it the whole time, but there's no guarantee!   Do your research and know exactly how long each one of your choices last--otherwise you'll fall short.  Cold or rainy climates need to pay really close attention to this category to help guard you and yours from suffering from cold related medical trouble.  You will also find that children, elderly and animals need special considerations in this category, so tailor your plans to you!

Warmth:  You must be able to stay warm--this means your home and anything living in it!  Some ways you could plan for this could include:  installing non-electric powered wood burning stoves (not pellet ones!), increasing the insulation of your home, getting generators, having proper clothing layers of correct materials, storing quality wool or down blankets and cold temperature sleeping bags, etc.  Don't forget that you must also cover all the maintenance needs and fuels for these things as well!   Plan for keeping your animals warm--fur is often not enough!

Light:  You will need light outside of daylight--this is more than just psychological, it for work assistance and security!  This could mean installing solar panels or one of the other alterative ways to draw your own power off grid.  But this also means actual supplies of stuff that gives you light.  Some things to consider are:  lanterns, oil or kerosene lamps, candles, flashlights, area lights, high powered lightsticks, etc.  Again, you must also include all parts, fuels and maintenance needs for each of the items you choose.  Remember that you have choices in how these things operate--there is solar power, hand power, fuel or battery operated, etc.   Research!

Clothing:  You must have a supply of sturdy and climate appropriate clothing for each person in your plan--suitable for hard work and able to be repaired by hand.  Learn how to layer clothing correctly, what types are most effective, how to launder them by hand, and how to repair or make more of them.   Don't forget to include the supplies which will let you do your own repairs or make replacements--which also means, that you must learn how to do this stuff!  Don't forget your animals in this area--dogs and horses are just some which often need coats or blankets to help protect them from severe cold or penetrating chill.  

Food and Water

It is important in this category that you remember that you may not be able to resupply yourself and your animals from the store--or receive one of those oh-so-convienant government supply drops like you see in tv shows like Jericho.  You will need to plan for your own food production or acquisition, food processing and proper storage, cooking, cleaning up, and disposing of garbage.  Just as you need to plan on locating and hauling water, purifying and storing it to replenish your supplies.  And don't plan on having electrical or fuel powered assists to do this stuff!  You will need some serious skills in this area and lot of practice.  Be extremely detailed oriented in your supplies to do this stuff--and think of the need to reuse and keep going over a long period of time.

Food:  You will need to plan for approximately 600-800 lbs of food per person per year.  This gives you 'wiggle room'--the ability to safely counter:  greatly increased physical activity, exposure to the environment, illness, high stress, theft or partial confiscation, spoilage or infestation, cooking failures, sharing, trading, new additions to your family, etc.  Choose foods that require no refrigeration, ones that you actually like eating, those that provide good nutriention, and ones you know how to use in cooking.  Store them properly and never all in one place (it's the whole eggs in one basket saying!).  Balance your food supply by including:  grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, meat and meat alternatives, oils, leavenings, sugar or sugar alternatives, seasonings and flavorings, and treats.  Plan for more than you need.  Always.

Water:  You must have at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day--more if your area suffers from high or extended heat.  Remember--any other beverages are in addition to that, not in place of.   Nope, sorry, soda pop is not a water substitute!  Remember, you also need to store water for your cooking needs, bathing and sanitation requirements, doing your laundry and for the general cleaning requirements of your home--at least one gallon per person per day in this area, too.  You also need water purification means, water transportation assists, and the long-term storage containers to store your water supplies.  Because you will need to purify the water you gather, it is a good idea to add drink mixes to your storage to help with taste.  If you can, install water gathering assists ahead of time--filtered gutters that run to rain barrels, cysterns, wells (with manual pumps in addition to electrical ones), etc. 

Shelter Needs

Your home takes on special importance in emergencies--it becomes more than just a living space, it becomes a necessary place of comfort and security in the middle of chaos and danger.   Anything you can do now to improve your home and make it more secure and disaster resistant is a really good idea!   Remember that you may not have electricity to keep your home comfortable or safe in emergencies--so plan your manual alternatives and get them installed.  Make your home and property as clean, well maintained and secure as you can now, it will only help you later.  So don't put off any work that needs to be done to it--it is supposed to be your sancurary in emergencies, so make it one now!

Maintenance, Cleaning and Repair:  You will need the knowledge, skills, tools and supplies to keep your home as functional as possible for as long as possible--this means you will need to provide any maintenance it needs, keep it as hygenic as you can, and repair any damages an emergency or its aftermath causes.

Protection:  You need to keep your home secure at all times--from emergencies themselves and from any criminal intent.  Remember that you might not have electricity to help you do this.  Get professional advice!  FEMA and the Red Cross have information on how you can help protect your home from (or reduce the damaged done in) emergencies.  Law enforcement and security personnel can help you plan your protection from the people danger side of emergencies.  Don't take risks or chances with your home's security--you are going to rely even more on it in times of trouble than you do now!

Medical and Hygiene

In emergencies, especially extended ones, medical and hygiene supplies become extremely hard to locate--and personnel skilled in them, are stretched very thin.  What you install and supply in your home now, will give you serious advantage later.  Take professional training and plan carefully!  Don't forget to make special plans for any medical conditions or age specific needs in your home.  And don't forget your animals!

Medical:  Store all necessary medical supplies for multi-person, long duration needs.  This includes medical assists (with non-electric backups), first aid supplies, extended need medical supplies, prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, etc.  Keep modern and detailed first aid and advanced response books on hand--and take the training for them.  Consider alternative medicines and take professional training in them.  Remember that injuries in emergencies are common.  Focus on tending:  burns, lacerations, breaks, punctures, fall related or debris falling related injuries, shock, extended illness, etc.  If you can, have a designated 'sickbay'--at least, have some section of your home set aside for medical supplies which you can easily get to quickly. 

Hygiene:  Emergencies make hygiene a serious concern--and will require you to make a special effort to guard yourself.  Because you may not have power, you might not have running water or flushing toilets.   Plan for your alternatives.  You will need to have an emergency toilet and know what to do properly with waste matter.  You must have the ability to bathe and wash your hands, tend to garbage requirements, do your own laundry manually, clean your cooking and eating impliments, and keep your home sanitary.  Females have to plan for their menstral cycle.  Mothers must plan for diapering and toilet needs of small children.  The elderly need to have their own hygiene concerns taken care of.  And you will need to be able to take care of any sick people's needs.  There is a lot of training available for you in these areas--take advantage of it now!  Try and put into your supply both disposable and non-disposable alternatives.

Communication

The ability to keep in contact with family members on your own property or about the city, receive information from emergency personnel and get updated news is essential in emergencies--especially in extended ones with their prolonged recoveries.  Because you may not have power, any communications equipment you choose needs to run on solar, battery, fuel, manual power, etc.  You may be able to use your phone or computer--but you may not.  Overburdened communication systems, destroyed towers or lines, inability to recharge batteries, etc., all may render your phone or computer useless.   So do some research and choose quality equipment to take their place in emergencies.  Choose your equipment to fit the two needs your phone or computer would normally cover:  local and long distance.  You will need some form of "walkie talkies"--letting you keep in contact with your family as you move about your local area.  Get something with at least one mile reach, preferrably five or more if possible.  You will also need radios to receive outside information.  If you can, get a Ham radio and become full trained in its use--this will let you receive information and send it, allowing you to be of great assistance to your area in emergencies.  Do not forget to include the simple communication means in your supplies--like whistles, air-propelled horns, signal flares, etc.

Tools and Weapons

Simply put, you need tools and weapons.  Especially when you are quite possibly on your own for an indeterminate length of time in a potentially damaged area.

Tools:  This area includes all the items you might need to help take care of yourself, your people and animals, and your home and property.  This means all maintenance, repairs, food procurement (hunting, fishing, trapping, planting, etc.) and processing, daily labor, etc. needs.  And it includes all the items needed to take care of and use those tools as well!  It is important that you take the time to receive proper training and practice your skill use of all of these things.  Again, don't rely on electric powered items--and be sure and store any batteries, fuels, and parts needed to go with this stuff.

Weapons:   This is an area that many people neglect to plan for in extended emergencies.  It is a dangerous mistake to rely on law enforcement or military personnel to protect you--disasters spread them impossibly thin to provide constant coverage to everyone, and without power, your means to quickly call for help and receive it swiftly is also often gone.  You will need to provide for your own and others' protection--and be able to protect your home and supplies.  Disasters bring out the best and the worst of people--be prepared to defend the best from the worst.   Know that this requires some serious professional training.  Get that training now.  Remember that you will need weapons for both short range and long range needs--as well as any additional tools or supplies to maintain and keep them operational.

Comfort and Entertainment  

Easing hardship in prolonged emergencies and their aftermaths is essential--this is more than just 'blowing off steam', it is boosting morale and helping to keep a positive psychological outlook in times of high octane stress and severe trauma.  This means building into your supply ways to play and treats to eat or drink.  This also means planning for holidays and birthdays, whether there are children present or not.   Again, do not rely on electric powered things.  Consider:  boardgames, puzzles, cards, dice, solar or manual powered radios, musical instruments, books, toys, etc.  Remember to include religious items--books, hymnals, etc.   Have laminated copies of your favorite and most meaningful family photos.  Be sure and take training specifically on how to help yourself and others deal positively with emergencies, hardship and trauma. 

Library and Documentation

You need all the information you can possibly get a hold of--specifically that which teaches you how to do all the little things you might need to know how to do.  This could be anything from how to repair your home to how to procure food to how to build a composting toilet to how to sew your own clothing.   You will also need to be your own source of your own documentation needs--this might be for insurance purposes, government assistance or rebuilding your life after a disaster.

Library:  Build up your personal library before an emergency--while there is time and ability to locate any needed information.  Stay current and use professional and reliable sources.  Think of all these categories--the needs they represent--and write out your list of possibly needed skills, training and resources.   I strongly recommend you use FEMA, Red Cross, and the Hoodlum Adventure Team (located in my Cool Sites to Check Out section) to help you figure out what you need to know and where to get the information. 

Documentation:  Gather all personal vital documentation--get any certified copies you need to replace lost items--and store it in a secure and hidden location.  Be able to take this information with you if you must leave the home, so store it in a portable and waterproof container.  You will need to have:  personal identification, passports, insurance polices, proof of ownerships, marriage certificates, medical records, prescription orders, immunization records, education records and licenses, social security cards, bank and credit card accounts, etc.--as well as contact information for any of these things.  Do not forget to have family and friend contact lists, family and pet identification pictures, etc.  It is a good idea to have a backup of these things--certified copies--in a bank deposit box, in the event that your home is lost.

Currency Needs

While it is true that there are times in extended emergencies and their aftermaths when money has no value and supplies become 'currency', there are also times when money is perfectly useful.  Without power, accessing bank and credit card accounts is difficult at best and impossible at worst.  Checks are rarely if ever accepted.  ATMs still operating are quickly emptied.  So you will need to have cash or cash substitutes (such as gold or silver) on hand to pay bills and purchase needs.  Again, you must keep these things in a secure and hidden location--preferrably in more than one secure and hidden location!  How much you store is up to you and your estimated need possiblities--but at least one month's bills on hand is a very good idea.

Cottage Industry and Barter

Severe disasters may mean a loss of your 'regular' income for an unforeseeable future length.  But you will still need to pay bills and purchase necessities.  It is wise to provide other means of income for yourself and your family.

Cottage Industry:  Learn a trade, craft, or skill which can bring you income even after a disaster.  Get any professional training and tools you need to do this.  Become proficient and successful in it.   There are ton of resources out there--think of any talents or skills you already possess and consider areas in your strongest abilities.  In good times, use this as a source of additional income.

Trade Supplies:  As seen in previous disasters, any needed item becomes 'currency'.  Learn how to barter and trade--and have items already stored to let you do this.  Think of things that are needed in emergencies, when supplies become limited and precious--remember that small things are easier to use, like 'small bills'.  Consider things like hygiene supplies, clothing repair items, assistance goods (like duct tape), etc.


Now you have the basic startup for the Home Storage Supply!

By building this final layer of your personal emergency preparedness, you are giving yourself extended duration assistance--and vastly increasing your independance and self-reliance!  True, this layer is going to take a lot of work--and lot of planning, learning, and supply gathering.  Don't let this deter you.  Just take it 'a bite at a time'--and be consistant!  Steady continual work will get you there. 

You can do it!

So start now!

Stay In Kit

All emergencies fall into two categories:

*Those that require us to deal with them away from the home

*Those that require us to face them at or from home

Some emergencies will fall into one category and stay there.  Some, however, will start in one and move to the other (and even bounce back again, depending on the nature of the event!).

Our need to be able to take on emergencies from any location, is why we've been learning about and building the layers of emergency preparedness.  The EDC, Personal Emergency Kit (or Go Bag), Car Kit and Work/School Kits, are all specifically built for the times when you must deal with an emergency away from home.  The Stay In Kit and the Home Storage Supply, however, are specifically built for those emergencies which must be faced at or from home. 

Your layers help give you the ability to adapt yourself successfully to your needs--which is why you must plan them carefully and gain the skills you need to use them to your maximum advantage!

We've talked about the layers that cover the first category--our EDC, Personal Emergency Kit, Car Kit, Work and School Kits.  Now, we are going to begin talking about the layers that take on the second--the Stay In Kit and the Home Storage Supply.

This post is for learning about and beginning to build the layer called the Stay In Kit.

The Stay In Kit needs to be able to take care of all your basic needs for at least two weeks from your home without any outside resupplying--any length of time more than that, and you will be moving into your last layer, the Home Storage Supply.


FEMA is an excellent source for beginning your research into what is needed for building this layer, as is the Red Cross.   I recommend The Hoodlum Adventure Team referred to in my Cool Sites section for in depth information and assistance.

As you plan the Stay In Kit, once again go through the six areas we've talked about before--you are planning against a number of possible emergencies, so take the time to really think it through.  You will want to consider the following categories:

*Food and Water
*Light, Heat, and Cooking
*Sanitation
*Medical
*Repair and Maintenance
*Protection
*Communication
*Entertainment and Comfort

As you consider these categories, remember that you are planning for a two week use need.  And don't forget--you are planning for the self-reliance of you, your home, and anyone else (human and other) who might possibly be with you for that duration!  Because you don't know if you will have electricity for the entire duration, everything you plan must be taken into consideration from a non-electrical angle.  Just as you don't know if you will be allowed or able to leave your property at all.  So keep this stuff carefully in mind.

So let's begin.
You need to have a two week supply of food and water--one that doesn't require electricity to let you eat or drink it.  This means ready-to-eat foods (edibles that require NO cooking or heating up) and bottled water (as the piped water system of your home or your electrically operating well may not working--or even contaminated).  Remember this is a two week supply for everyone in your home--including all animals.

You will need to have light and heat sources.  This is psychological and necessity based.  Battery, fuel operated, solar, chemical triggered, and manual powered are all possibilities.  A means to heat up your food and water is not necessary but may be comforting or even helpful (especially when it is cold!).  Remember that everything must be non-electric powered and safe to operate in your home.  Don't forget the supplies that go along with your sources, like:  candles, batteries, fuel, quality blankets and warm clothing--or the stuff needed to maintain or operate your light and heat sources.  And definitely don't forget the correct type of fire extinguishers for every room of your home--in case something goes wrong!

Because power may not be on, you really need to watch your sanitation.  This means methods to keep yourself clean, to deal with waste matter, do your laundry and tend to garbage.  Depending on the emergency; water may not be flowing in pipes or contaminated, toilets my not be operational and garbage services may be disrupted.   Using disposable dishes and utensils, stashing garbage bags, having a portable toilet with supplies, storing bleach and other sanitizing agents, getting a manual washing machine with laundry supplies and knowing how to give yourself a proper 'sponge' bath,  are all some of the ways you can help tend your sanitation.  Remember that females, children, elderly and animals will require extra assists in this area. 

Other than life-threatening requirements, all of your medical needs should be able to be taken care of at home.  Keep at least a two week supply of all vital prescriptions or required items.  If there are non-electric or non-battery supports for any necessary medical devices, get them as backups (like manual wheelchairs)--talk to your medical support team now and see what is available to assist any needs in your home in complete power outs.  Have solar powered or manual chargers for essential batteries.  Store a quality, extended use, multi-person medical kit.  Be fully trained in basic and advanced first aid.  Remember that some emergencies involve serious illness--know how to properly tend sick people and keep supplies which will ease or increase their speed of healing.  Sometimes you will have to restrict access to your home in order to prevent contacting illness--be responsible and practice this quarantine completely, knowing that failure to do so may be fatal.

In an extended emergency, you may need to perform makeshift or immediate repairs of your home or any items in it.  You also will need to maintain everything.  Get any training you can to assist you in this area.  Store basic tool and supply needs (hammer and nails, tarps/plastic sheeting, duct tape, epoxy, gas shutoff tool, plywood sheets, hard hats and other protective gear, etc.)--quality home supply places can assist you in creating your home's basic tool and supply needs.  Remember, that this area can be greatly helped by your effort NOW.  Do any repairs you need on your home or property immediately.  Update insulation, secure piping, make reinforcements, and do other emergency pre-assists.  FEMA offers assistance in planning how to make your home more emergency resistant.  All this is part of your Stay In Kit.  Think of it like taking care of your kit's really large duffle carrier, essential.

Your protection in an extended emergency should be taken seriously.  Law enforcement officers and military personnel may be stretched very, very thin.  Without power, security systems both personal and local are down.  Damage may interfere in even access by personnel.  Even if your cell phone is operational, the system may be overloaded.  Plan to be your own protection.  You should do most of this NOW, while the supplies and professional installations are available.  This means putting in secure fencing, chaining and locking all gates, using window and door blocks, installing security doors and frames with proper locks, removing 'blind spots' or other danger spots about your home where criminals could hide or move undetected, etc.  Talking to law enforcement or home security personnel can give you excellent help.  During an emergency, be able to immediately install complete blackout protection (to avoid unwanted attention), have the ability to board over all windows and secondary doors, and reinforce your main entrance.  Be able to secure your vehicles and all out buildings.  Take defensive training and be extremely competent with firearms and other weapons.  Plan how you will defend your home.  There are professional personnel who can teach you this.  Remember that a large part of protecting yourself is in reducing your risks--don't open doors, don't open windows or use window blocks if you have to, use a quiet generator or sound proof where it is located, don't tell others about any supplies you have built up, keep your gates locked, stay armed, etc.  Criminals become bolder, more violent and hunt in larger groups in extended emergencies--and any supplies you have, the bad guys will want for themselves.

Now, you may have no power in extended emergencies but you still need to receive emergency information and know what is going on.  Get at least two quality emergency radios--only one of which can be battery operated, the second should be a solar or manual powered one.  Store extra batteries.  If you can, become a HAM operator and have your own generator powered set up--this will let you receive and sent information, becoming an assist to emergency personnel in your area.

Because you may be staying inside your home or confined to your property for the entire two weeks without power, do not neglect your entertainment and comfort category!  Emergencies are highly stressful, especially ones that extend over more than one week.  Our society is a highly 'plugged in' one, but while you might have access to power, never count on it.  Murphy's Law remains in effect!So plan to entertain yourself in non-electric ways.  Books, games, hobbies/crafts, exercise equipment, etc., are all options.  Remember to include snacks and other comfort items!  Have easy access to meaningful items, to give yourself extra emotional support.  Take the time daily for prayer, meditation, and other 'quiet' moments--you need to stay calm and stay focused, even when everything else gets a bit crazy.


And that is the basic setup of the Stay In Kit.

Of course, the Stay In Kit is an extensive kit--some of it is 'built in' and some of it is in actual supplies.  Because of its intended duration of coverage, and the skills it requires of you, it is going to take serious thought and research on your part for this kit to be of the best help to you.  Don't let the 'size' of this kit make you nervous, take it by category and work your way through it.  You'll change things as you gain skills and knowledge, but everything you do to help increase your success in an extended emergency is good.   Think of everyone (human and other) who could possibly be with you in an emergency--with all of their needs, as well as your own--and plan your kit around this.  Get professional assistance, information and training.  Start gathering your supplies and keep them in a secure but easy to access place.

Remember, that building this kit will take some time--so start now and keep at it.

So roll up your sleeves and have at it.

You can do it!

Planning the Layers: Personal Emergency Preparedness

As you plan to take care of yourself in an emergency, it is important that you think in 'layers'.  What you are doing is surrounding yourself with ever expanding protection.  Each layer is planned in consideration of the following six areas:

*Skill levels--your training, education, experience, or abilities
*Area--where you live, work, or play
*Duration--how long you might have to face an emergency or its aftermath
*Needs-- any special considerations (including medical) which you might need to plan for
*Responsibilities and Duties--to yourself, to those dependent on you, or to those relying on you
*Previous and Projected Events--emergencies which have occurred or which might occur near you

How carefully you plan your protective layers using these six areas will largely determine your success in handling emergencies.

Remember, you will constantly need to update and alter your layers--everything changes, including you!  And don't forget; your family (two-legged and four) needs their own custom built layers, too!

So what are these layers of personal emergency preparedness?  They are the organized kits or supplies designed to help you take on an emergency, no matter where you are.  The kits or supplies themselves go by many names, but here they are by each layer:

*Every Day Carry (EDC)--what you carry every day, everywhere
*Personal Emergency Kit or Go Bag--for when you must be mobile or need to relocate quickly
*Car Kit--for trouble during commutes or trips
*Work Kit--your 'office' support, including help to return home
*School Kit--specifically for children/teens waiting for parental pick up at schools
*Stay In Kit--for quarantines or other 'must stay inside' issues
*Home Storage Supply--for extended emergencies and long term recoveries

The coming posts will go into the details of these layers--including suggested lists of items to go into each kit.

Stay tuned--you can do this!