Disaster Kit Recommendations - Deep Breaths & Don't Forgets

Disaster Girl's Disaster Recommendations
 Deep Breaths & Don't Forgets

For more please see: previous disaster kit articles.
  

There are so many things to be thought of during moments of disaster, and often times you don't have much time to think about what to do. In situations where you can look back and obviously see that seconds were a deciding factor in a time of crisis, it's helpful to put the effort in before something actually does happen. The world's militaries, schools, and business do it- and you should really conduct drills and practice runs before a disaster too. Here's a list of things commonly forgotten during disaster and times of crisis:

DEEP BREATH

I'll keep this one short because you're probably tired of hearing it, but you really do need to stay calm. Someone panicking and screaming at the top of their lungs in an erratic manner while crying, flailing, and generally acting like a temper tantrum prone child never helped anyone, ever. You can practice this in your everyday life. While it seems minuscule learning to control your actions in mini 'disasters' whether it be someone getting injured unexpectedly or roadside flat in the middle of a thunderstorm it will begin to condition your brain into going into 'fight' mode rather than 'flight' mode. It will help you make better decisions, and think more clearly in situations it can difficult to think in.

FILL BATHTUBS & OTHER CONTAINERS

This is useful in most disaster situations. A bathtub can hold a lot of water which can be used for various things in the event that the water does go off. You can flush a toilet with no power, as long as you have water. If the water goes out for a week a family of three will need around 65 gallons of water just for drinking. Fill everything you can fill, and use the water purification methods listed here for drinking water.

SHUTTING OFF UTILITIES

Sure, we'd all like to ride through a hurricane with the TV on, while making some food on the stove with plans of a hot shower in the mix. While doing all three may seem 'moronic' its fairly common for people to do at least one or two of these things during a disaster. In disaster situations that have slow escalations (I.E. hurricane with a week heads up, severe storms, blizzards) and even ones that happen abruptly (I.E. earthquakes, mudslides, etc) it is important to shut your water, electricity, and gas off- especially when evacuating. While these utilities are pretty safe on their own, mixed with a disaster they can cause more problems than the conveniences they offer.

MONEY & BARTERING

If the power goes out, the credit card machines do too. And if the apocalypse ever does end up happening, having extras of things people may need will be quite handy. You need to have money (preferably in smaller bills & different forms- you don't want to end up paying fifty bucks or a whole gold coin for a loaf of bread), lots of change/coins, and stuff that you're able to barter with (several small bottles of high grade alcohol come to mind). Also, never keep everything together- if you get robbed or even lose something you don't want to lose it all at once.

EXTRA UNDERWEAR

Do I need to go into detail about why this may be useful? You answered 'No.' right?
But I'd be willing to wager that you didn't have any in your disaster kit.

IMPORTANT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Extended family members names, addresses, phone numbers- laminated on a card is incredibly useful. You should have your immediate family's birth certificates, social security cards, IDs, list of credit cards, the deed to the house, your will, any court agreements, all of your car information, and really anything of great importance in a waterproof envelop as well. Primary physicians info, lists of health problems and/or medications taken are also great adds.

THE USEFULNESS OF A PORTABLE TOILET

Luggable Loo
$28.95

Because, when it comes down to it- no one wants to use the bushes.


A GOOD PAIR OF BROKEN IN SHOES

For all the miles you may have to walk. If your car tire gets a flat. If you can't get to the highway because the traffic is at a standstill. For the moments all you can do is run, and just keep running. Oh dear, I sound like a Nike commercial. Those shoes may be the only ones you have for a while so choose wisely. I'm inclined to recommend a skating sneaker brand, as they are so heavily padded.

DISPOSABLE WATERPROOF CAMERAS

The power may go out and your phone battery may die, and in the aftermath of a disaster a digital camera may not be as handy as you would like it to be. You should always have at least one disposable waterproof camera in your disaster kit. You may need to take pictures of the damage afterwards of your house, car, street, etc for insurance and documentation purposes.

COMMUNICATION / SAFE & WELL LIST

If you have internet access after a disaster you can report that you're safe to the American Red Cross Safe & Well List. Alternatively you should also have one extended family member who doesn't live in your geographical region act as a outlet for notifying the rest of the family of your well being. Always remember that during a disaster you will have better luck sending out a text message rather than making a phone call.

_________________________________________________________________________

 * * * * *

I'm totally starting to get why so many 'Preppers' devote entire basements, and in some cases even separate houses to storing all this stuff. The list of what you may need is really never ending, with new tools being made or discovered daily. It's the 'hobby' that keeps on giving.

xoxo disaster girl