As the planet changes, the world’s weather systems are becoming more and more erratic. Severe storms and floods occur almost on an annual basis at least somewhere on the globe. And now, for almost the first time, many countries in the West have to think disaster preparedness. No person is immune and no country is likely to be singled out in terms of latitude or longitude: disaster could occur anywhere. When we think there is a severe storm on the way we need to keep on eye glued to the TV or tune our radio into our local weather station. In such situations you won’t have time to sort things out when the anticipated storm arrives, so you need to prepare ahead of time.

You should have some idea which direction the storm is coming from and moving towards. Everything moveable in the house needs to be tied down; windows need to be opened slightly on the side of the house opposite to where the storm is starting from. During these preparation hours, prepare: put gas in the family vehicle, check battery generated equipment. As storm approaches, ensure that all electrical equipment has been disconnected, keep telephones free except for true emergencies and ensure you have an adequate source of drinking water in clean containers.

A very real threat to the population at the present time is terrorism and you need to take cover immediately if you think you are going to be in the presence of some explosive device. Unless you have been ordered to evacuate, stay indoors and take cover away from any windows. Injuries occurring when people are travelling are a major source of death, with damage to infrastructure occurring at any place and any time. Many of the multiple injuries involved are due to collapsing infrastructure and advising people to remain indoors is often the best advice and people should heed it. The amount of damages in the USA ran into US$123 billion in 2004, with just US$49 billion of these losses covered by insurance.

The tsunami in December 2004 caused wide-spread devastation running into an estimated US$7.2 billion required to rebuild India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, with a further US$5 billion to assist Kashmir after the earthquake there. Due to large-scale devastation it is likely to be necessary to call upon the citizens themselves to provide sufficient help amongst themselves in order to shore up struggling emergency services. This amounts to disaster preparedness and putting into practice common sense procedures for those less able to help themselves.

This is just providing disaster preparedness in terms of foreign aid, but what about the amount necessary to rebuild New Orleans or, for that matter, the amount required when THE BIG ONE comes and devastates Los Angeles. How can you be ready for disasters such as this? No matter how disaster preparedness is drummed into your resilient American spirit, disaster upon disaster has been wreaked in current years far in excess of anything the people of America could ever have dreamed might happen.

So pay attention to such issues and be prepared always, no one knows when they may have to face such uninvited situations/circumstances.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness .

Do you have appropriate supplies available for use in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or any other major emergency? Would you even know what to do yourself, or even how to prepare yourself for an emergency? First and foremost, it is all right having a disaster preparedness kit, but are you familiar with the contents and how to make use of those contents? Basically do you have basic first aid knowledge and know what not to do as much as what you actually need to do? In a panic, would you remember to pick up certain important documents such as your passport, or drivers licences, medication/copy of prescriptions, insurance documents and social security cards, various insurance documents and immunization cards. Copies of other important documents such as the title deeds to your property and other paperwork which confirms your identity in The System all need to be to hand somewhere you can reach them.

Firstly, in an emergency, water mains could be burst – there could be water everywhere so you need to ensure you disaster preparedness kit was kept in a waterproof or water-resistant container. You need to find a secure place to keep it, preferably not in the house, as you would not want your disaster preparedness kit damaged or destroyed before you had a chance to locate it. Perhaps you can’t think of anywhere appropriate outside the home to store your disaster preparedness kit. If so, go for the attic or, if you must, the basement. In any sort of disaster the social fabric of society tends to get eroded quite quickly – which means, pilfering is likely to become the norm. Don’t let other people know about your disaster preparedness kits otherwise your home is likely to get ransacked with people trying to find it.

Another problem is making sure you can get into it when you need to. I’m talking about keys – if you can lose suitcase keys as frequently as I can how much more are you likely to lose keys to your disaster preparedness kit? Use a good combination lock and set it to the same number as the date of birth of a member of your family so you, and other family members, are less likely to forget it. Things like birthdays are hard to forget and, emotionally, it would probably be a good idea to ensure you take photographs with you which could not be replaced plus other mementoes which makes life sweeter for the evocative memories they might evoke.

For physical survival, things like a knife and scissors plus other little gadgets are always a good idea. Spare blades and a knife sharpener are also useful. LED flashlights can be a good idea but many of the items that can be freely purchased in any camping/trekking shop would be ideal. Storm matches, firelighters, sleeping bags. Leather gloves and heavy duty needles are always a good idea, plus tarpaulins and some kind of waterproofed ground sheet. Changes of underwear and spare outdoor clothing, including heavy duty boots are always a good idea in case you have to leave home in a hurry before having time to dress properly. You will never be fully prepared, but at least saving some of your more personal belongings helps you retain an identity when all else has been lost.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.

In the event of a disaster occurring when you are caught up in an emergency situation, food may be hard to come by and water may be contaminated. In an attempt to provide victims caught up in emergencies with proper nutrition and supply adequate liquid supplement the US Coast Guard recommends, as an absolute minimum, 2400 calories for each person, produced as a food bar, to last three days. Most food rations are prepared as a 3600 calorie food bar, carefully prepared under supervision and guaranteed to meet both Halal and Kosher approval.

These emergency food rations are 100% FDA approved, with the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals. Each individual meal replacement consists of 9 x 400 calorie meals, with each bar weighing 76g. The actual formulae taste of vanilla/lemon, with appropriate satiety factors, does not contain nuts, coconut, tropical oils or added cholesterol to acerbate any allergic responses and each 3600 calorie food bar is fully ready for use in any emergency situation.

The actual formula contains the optimal nutrients required, including 46 g carbohydrates, 23g of total fats of which saturated fats constitute 7g, and a combination of mono-saturates adding up to 29g. 3g Protein is included, with 23mg sodium [salt]. Other constituents include 2g dietary fibre and 14 g sugars. Sufficient liquid has been included for adequate rehydration extra water is not required to prepare the 3600 calorie food bar for consumption. Other essential nutrients included are Vitamin A and C, calcium and iron.

Each survival bar is baked with flour enriched with vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, B6, B12, Niacin, Iron, and Folic Acid. Calcium and phosphorous are also added. The shortening used to mix the flour is partially hydrogenated soybean with cottonseed oils. For flavouring granulated sugar, corn starch and corn syrup are used, together with completely natural lemon flavouring. Supplementary artificial flavourings have also been added to provide the buttery and the vanilla flavours. Naturally, to ensure the 3600 calorie food bar does not spoil, various preservatives have needed to be included, such as the natural antioxidant Gamma/Delta Tocopherol. Artificial food colourings used are Tartrazine, FD & C Yellow 5, and FD & C Red 40.

Thee survival packs, specially formulated for the victims of the world’s cataclysms, have a shelf life of a minimum of five years, with hermetically sealed edges in a material resistant to oxidation. Both the hermetic seal and the decay-proof packaging have been approved by the USCG and conform to the MIL-131 Barrier Materials’ Standards and the Department of Defence. The actual 3600 calorie food bar formulae themselves have been designed to withstand extremes of temperatures from both ends of the spectrum, from -22 degrees F to +149 degrees F.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.

In the case of potential disaster you need to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours. That means 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear needs to be available according to the minimum time recommended by various government sources. The 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear provided by Survival Kit is designed to support an average family of four for 3 days. It consists of emergency food, water and shelter, first aid and sanitation, lighting and communication supplies. An emergency blanket should be included and various essential tools like a hammer and screw driver and a whistle [believe it or not that might be an important item].

In the Ark III Survival kit 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear was valid until 2011: one of the questionable advantages of purchasing a fully fitted 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear kit is that all the limited shelf items expire together. Naturally, this would cut down on time when it comes to the twice yearly checks. It may, or may not, be cheaper to purchase items separately, especially as the Ark III only contains just 24oz of water: not very much water, even in an emergency. If you want a more upgraded product you can obtain an upmarket version, the Super Ark.

One of the advantages of purchasing a full-fledged 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear is that the food and water expire only after 5 years. One thing to remember is to keep the fully complete 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear near the door in the house, outside in a safe place in the yard, or even in your vehicle. Basic supplies in the basic kit needs to be a flashlight, together with appropriate batteries; a radio with batteries – or even one of those wind-up radios; a box of waterproof matches; an emergency blanket; four 125ml water pouches to the specification of the US Coast Guard and a 2400 calorie food bar, again US Coast Guard approved, both food and water approved for a five-year lifespan.

Other items that need to be considered in with the 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear are a pack of tissues, first aid kit, wet naps and something suitable for outdoor wear like an emergency poncho or waterproof fleece jacket. Add an N95 respirator mask, water treatment tablets, LED headlamp, and sanitation supplies similar to the chemicals used for those camping chemical toilet units. An in-depth survival box like the TrekkerTM, containing items such as these would make an acceptable wedding present or starter gift.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.

Dealing with and avoiding risks is revealed in the concept of 72 hour emergency preparedness. In other words, the fact that you are prepared to survive for 72 hours in the case of an emergency occurrence means you have taken control of a situation that could have gone out of control. Emergency kits containing MREs, and Roadwise Emergency Kits amongst others are designed to provide everything you are likely to need in an emergency to last 72 hours, covering the initial critical period when you are most likely to need emergency supplies. As an example, the auto 72 hour kits consist of 30 pieces, from a 9-piece socket set to electrical tape and retails for around US$35.00. Family-sized 72 hour kits include sanitation and water purification tablets, first-aid requirements, food and lighting – sufficient for a family for up to 72 hours. These 72 hour kits for a family costs around US$257.36 each (however, their price may vary with the place and market)

The focus on the two persons 72 hour kits preparedness by ReadyWise are both functional and portable, and they are available at a great price. This kit provides food bars and an MRE for each person for each day, plus a supply of water for 72 hours and purification tablets for extra supplies of water and polycarbonate water bottles. The whole 72 hour kits preparedness pack is fitted into a backpack, with several other little items such as cell phone charger, respirator masks, first aid supplies etc. Other items are included for the price of $312.22.

First, you need to obtain a 72 hour kit and then ensure you keep it up-to-date, as it is very essential for your survival. You need to ensure you purchase a generic one from a reputable source: after all, you don’t know what type of disaster you may face and when. In the US it could be anything from floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires or even, as already has happened, terrorism. It could even be deep and persistent snow storms as is currently the case in North America, with many people stranded.

Though, it is called a 72 hour kit, you could actually live on this, with care, for up to 10 days. A single person’s 72 hour kit is only appropriate if you are a single person. You need to ensure that you cater for the whole family, i.e. a family of four would need 4 x 72 hour kits preparedness. There is little point in having beautifully complete 72 hour kits and then not being able to find it when you need it practically. A 72 hour kit needs to be kept in a portable container near the door or even in the backyard where it is easily accessible.

Your 72 hour kits preparedness procedure needs to contain sufficient food, water and clothing for entire family. Not only this, but it should have additional items such as personal documents and extra clothing all kept within waterproof coverings so they don’t become damp and mildewed. As you have an individual kit for each family, you need to include individual personal items to each family member. You also need to remember to keep a source of light near the top of your 72 hour kit.

So what happens if you don’t need to use your 72 hour kit? Every six months you need to rotate the food and water, and make sure that any clothes packed for children still fit them, even if the clothes are re-cycled down to fit younger members. Batteries, warm packs and light sticks also need to be checked on a regular basis. Remember to put bottles, pacifiers and diapers, and anything else to make life for each family member a little easier during a potential difficult time.

All the best…now you are prepared!

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.