72 Hour Emergency First Responder Kits – Conclusions.

72 Hour Emergency First Responder Kits – Conclusions.

72-Hour Emergency First Responder Kits – Conclusions        A group is only as strong as the poorest prepared person in it.  Individual skills, resources and tools are part of the intelligence we acquire through opportunities for learning.  The Doctrine and Covenants says that intelligence is made up of light and truth.  You can’t live by truth you don’t know, and “ . . . the time will come when you cannot live on borrowed light.”  Individual preparedness is essential…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #8 Transportation.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #8 Transportation.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #8  Transportation        Mobility in the modern age is considered a most important essential – how else is one to get to the drive-up window?  In reality, transportation is an extension of communication.  If we can’t send the message, we may have to deliver it to get our needs filled.      Emergency planning considers the consequences of failed services essential to support transportation.  Failed electricity equals no means to pump gasoline.  Downed power lines,…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #7 Communitcation.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #7 Communitcation.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #7  Communication        “If you can’t go for help, you have to call for it.”       Cell phones have revolutionized the world, if service has survived your emergency.  CB, FRS, and Ham networks can be augmented by something as primitive as hand and arm signals, whistles and mirrors, if you can connect with others on your net.       Remember our initial 72 hour First Responder Kit premise – Deacons are tasked to be the…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #6 First Aid.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #6 First Aid.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #6  First Aid        Never put anything in your first aid kit you don’t know how to use.  First responders never seem to have enough materials in an emergency unless they have a professional kit.  So, why not put your kit together where the professionals go for their supplies.      Look in the yellow pages under “First Aid Supplies”, or “Medical Equipment and Supplies”, and ask if they wholesale to paramedics.  Ask if they…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #5 Sanitation.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #5 Sanitation.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #5  Sanitation        After the basic essentials of  water, food, clothing and shelter comes the all important safety awareness centered on sanitation.  THINK CLEAN.   Recognize that microorganisms bring their own set of hazards into our environment, as do rodent and other critter carriers that emerge after disasters.  Cleanliness is next to godliness, and next to impossible if normal electrical, water and sewer services are breached.  Lack of refrigeration accelerates spoilage, to include worst-case problems…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #4 Shelter.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #4 Shelter.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #4  Shelter        As mentioned in last weeks clothing article, a good hooded poncho is probably the most useful survival item you can have.  Not only will it keep you and your gear dry, but it can also be used as a ground cover, shade shelter, tent, and even solar still.  Otherwise, consider a tube tent, two-person shelter or family tent with rain fly to keep you out of the weather if your van,…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #3 Clothing.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #3 Clothing.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #3  Clothing         Moisture and salt are your enemies when it comes to clothing.  Have a rainproof exterior garment (poncho) coupled with layering to regulate body heat and moisture from the outside in and the inside out (sweating).  Body heat is lost 70 times faster when you are wet.  But, when clothing dries out, body salts  retained in fabrics will feel like sandpaper against your skin.   A “no sweat” goal is achieved by layering….

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #2 Food.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #2 Food.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #2  Food        Stress makes us eat more – up to double.  Don’t under estimate food in your kit, and keep it light.      Tools:  A P38 can opener or easy-open containers.  Cooking materials (high tech lessens weight).      Resources:  Use high protein energy foods such as Jerky, canned tuna, MRE meals, whole grain foods, dehydrated, powered, or freeze dried items like drinks, condiments, fruits, and even Mentos or gum.      Know How:  Anything…

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72 Hour Emergency Kit — #1 Water.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #1 Water.

72 Hour Emergency Kit — #1 Water        A gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds.  How can you carry a 3-day supply?  That’s 24.99 pounds for just the amount recommended for drinking and cooking.  You can’t survive without it.       Tools:  Canteen or suitable container, filtration unit, squeeze bottle of Clorox.        Resources:  Properly stored water supply, or as clean a raw water source as possible.        Know How:  Knowing how to process raw water minimizes your need to…

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First Responder Kits.

First Responder Kits.

Emergency Preparedness – First Responder Kits.        A 72-hour kit IS NOT the foundation of a home preparedness program.  But, it’s a start.      What are the essentials of a three day First Responder Kit?  (priority order) Water Food                               Considerations:   “Will it all fit into something Clothing                                                        that won’t break my back?” Shelter                                                        “Can technology lighten my load?” Sanitation                                                   “Will I be able to afford it?” First Aid                                                     “I don’t want something else that will Communication                                           just sit and…

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